Optical sensitivity analyses of various reflective systems: on-axis, common off-axis, and confocal off-axis designs

Abstract

Optical design of the wide field of view telescope is limited by obscuration of the secondary mirror in onaxis system and by serious linear astigmatism in conventional common off-Axis system. We have developed an innovative off-Axis reflective system in which the optical design is based on the confocal off-Axis to completely compensate the linear astigmatism. The main objective of this paper is to compare alignment sensitivity of the confocal system to those of on-Axis and common off-Axis systems. All three optical designs are based on the classical Cassegrain reflecting telescope and have identical entrance pupil diameter of 1000 mm and F/8 focal ratio. Tilt and decenter of each optical component, and despace which indicates inter-mirror distance are considered as tolerancing parameters that are explored within fabrication tolerance ranges. Encircled energy diameter is evaluated as a criterion of the analysis while tilts of the secondary mirror and the focal position are set to the compensator. The statistical tolerancing method based on Monte-Carlo simulation is also performed to analyze system tolerances. From sensitivity analysis and Monte-Carlo simulation, we concluded that the confocal off-Axis system is more sensitive than on-Axis and common off-Axis systems but it is a feasible system in terms of fabrication and alignment errors.