Zemax Sequential Basics: How To Build Lens Systems

A Practical Guide to Optical System Setup, Lens Design, and Surface Properties in Zemax Sequential.

What you'll learn

Introduction to Zemax Sequential Mode

Understanding Zemax Windows and Basic Operations

How to Import Lens Systems into Zemax

Importing Lenses into Zemax for Simulations

Creating Lens Structures in Zemax Sequential

Calculating Focal Length Using First-Order Equations

Understanding Focal Length (f)

Navigating the Zemax User Interface and Tools

Understanding Tilt/Decenter Parameters and Their Effects

Simulating Complex Optical Paths with Folding Mirrors

Building and Simulating the Maksutov Optical Design

Importing Surfaces and Components from Commercial Lens Data

System Data

System Explorer

Thickness Solve in Zemax

Applying First-Order Equations to Doublet Lenses

Curvature Solves

Effective Focal Length (EFFL)

Edge Thickness

Lens Data Editor Toolbar

Maksutov Telescope Explanation

Requirements

Basic Knowledge of Optics

Familiarity with Optical Terminology

Interest in Optical Design and Simulation

Access to Zemax Software

Basic Computer Skills

Description

This comprehensive course offers a thorough exploration of Zemax Sequential Mode, providing participants with a systematic understanding of lens design, optical system analysis, and surface property management. Structured to align with real-world optical engineering needs, this course introduces foundational concepts before progressing to advanced design techniques, supported by a practical, hands-on approach.The course begins with an in-depth examination of the Zemax environment, ensuring participants develop a strong understanding of the interface and its core functions. You will learn to navigate the Zemax workspace, set up optical systems, configure system data, and import lens prescriptions. Essential topics such as system explorers and the implementation of optical surfaces are covered in detail, along with methods for extracting and utilizing commercial lens specifications. Foundational techniques like thickness solves, paraxial focus, lens layout, and input ray setup provide the groundwork for building precise optical systems.Moving beyond singlet lenses, the course introduces doublet lens design as a practical example. You will explore the concept of doublets, apply first-order equations to these systems, and import them into Zemax for analysis. Through this example, you will learn to evaluate the first-order properties of real lenses, including virtual image formation and key performance characteristics. This section provides an ideal bridge between theoretical optics and practical implementation.In the Curvature Solves section, participants will develop the ability to control and optimize lens curvature using advanced tools. Topics include fixing and varying curvature values, effective focal length (EFFL), marginal ray angles, pick-up solves, and calculations for element power and F-number. Additionally, the course covers thickness solving, where you will study marginal ray height, edge thickness, positional constraints, and center of curvature considerations for precision lens systems.The program further explores Material Solves, where you will learn how to model and substitute materials efficiently to achieve desired optical performance. In conjunction, the Clear Semi-Diameter section introduces automatic and maximum aperture settings to refine optical designs. Mastery of these tools will enable participants to solve complex lens challenges with confidence.An essential part of the course focuses on the Lens Data Editor Toolbar, a powerful resource for fine-tuning optical elements. This section teaches how to automate lens updates, introduce tilt and decenter elements, add fold mirrors, reverse optical elements, and configure apertures. Participants will learn to implement double-pass configurations and other practical techniques critical to optical simulations.The Surface Properties module delves into the visual and functional aspects of optical surfaces. Topics include surface coloring, opacity adjustments, row customization, and the creation of surface stops. Advanced surface tools such as “Ignore This Surface,” surface property drawing, aperture editing, and tilt/decenter configurations are also explored, ensuring participants gain full control over surface design.The course culminates with Practical Examples, allowing participants to apply their knowledge through real-world lens systems. You will analyze and design both Triplet Lenses and Cook Triplets, following a step-by-step process of explanation and solution implementation in Zemax. These exercises solidify key concepts, reinforce problem-solving techniques, and prepare participants for independent design work. We also explore the design and analysis of the Maksutov Telescope, offering participants a deeper understanding of more complex optical systems and their integration in Zemax.By the end of this course, participants will have gained mastery in setting up, designing, and analyzing optical systems within Zemax Sequential. This program is ideal for optical engineers, researchers, and professionals seeking to develop their expertise in Zemax and optical system design. Whether you are building singlet lenses, doublets, or complex optical assemblies, this course provides the tools and techniques needed to excel in optical engineering applications.

Overview

Section 1: Introduction

Lecture 1 Introduction

Lecture 2 Instructor

Section 2: Zemax environemnt

Lecture 3 Navigating the Zemax Interface

Lecture 4 Setting Up Optical Systems: System Data and Lens Prescriptions

Lecture 5 System Explorer

Lecture 6 Optical surfaces in Zemax

Lecture 7 Exploring Commercial Websites for Lens Specifications

Lecture 8 Importing Singlet into Zemax

Lecture 9 Thickness Solve in Zemax

Lecture 10 Paraxial Focus

Lecture 11 Lens Layout

Lecture 12 Input Rays

Section 3: Simple example

Lecture 13 What is a doublet ?

Lecture 14 Applying First-Order Equations to Doublet Lenses

Lecture 15 Import the doublet into Zemax

Lecture 16 First order properties of a real lens

Lecture 17 Virtual images

Section 4: Curvature Solves

Lecture 18 Fix & Variable

Lecture 19 EFFL

Lecture 20 Marginal Ray Angle

Lecture 21 Pick up

Lecture 22 Element Power

Lecture 23 F Number

Section 5: Thickness Solve in Zemax

Lecture 24 Marginal Ray Height

Lecture 25 Edge Thickness

Lecture 26 Position

Lecture 27 Center of Curvature

Section 6: Material Solves

Lecture 28 Model

Lecture 29 Substitute

Section 7: Clear Semi-Diameter

Lecture 30 Automatic, and maximum

Section 8: Lens Data Editor Toolbar

Lecture 31 Auto Update Mode

Lecture 32 Tilt/Decenter Elements

Lecture 33 Add Fold Mirror

Lecture 34 Reverse Elements

Lecture 35 Make Focal

Lecture 36 Make Double Pass

Lecture 37 Apertures

Section 9: Surface Properties

Lecture 38 Surface Color,Surface Opacity, Row Color

Lecture 39 Make Surface Stop

Lecture 40 Ignore This Surface

Lecture 41 Draw (surface properties)

Lecture 42 Aperture (surface properties)

Lecture 43 Edit Aperture

Lecture 44 Tilt/Decenter

Section 10: Practical Examples

Lecture 45 Exercise 1 : Explanation (Triplet lens)

Lecture 46 Exercice 1 : Solution in Zemax (Triplet lens)

Lecture 47 Exercise 2 : Explanation (Cook Triplet)

Lecture 48 Exercise 2 : Solution (Cook Triplet)

Lecture 49 Maksutov Telescope Explanation

Lecture 50 Maksutov Telescope in Zemax

Section 11: Bonus Session

Lecture 51 Thanks

Optical Engineers,Mechanical Engineers,Optomechanical Engineers,Electrical Engineers,Engineering Students interested in optical system design,Professionals Working with Zemax or similar optical software,Researchers and Scientists in the field of optics and photonics