Optical Modeling and Performance Predictions XV

This conference is dedicated to the modeling of imaging and non-imaging optical systems and associated test-equipment and related predictions of performance over a broad range of active and passive optical systems and engineering disciplines. Unclassified papers are solicited from nano-scale systems through to components such as special fiber-optics, gratings, holographic systems, light sources and detectors, and on to large deployable telescopes. Environmental factors can range from HEL through cryogenic, configurations can span use in the laboratory to underwater and outer-space, and wavelengths can range from x-rays to THz, and on through micro and mm waves.

Papers and/or suggested panel discussions are specifically requested on current and evolving analytical techniques that address:

Optical models, methods, and performance estimates

• geometrical and physical optics
• diffractive optics and holographic systems
• beam propagation
• metamaterials (including negative index, photonic crystals, cloaking)
• plasmonics and evanescent waves, thermal phonons, and topolaritons
• reconfigurable optical surfaces
• polarization
• adaptive optical components
• computational optics and designs configured with and/or incorporating AI
• radiometry
• fiber-optics and photonics
• interferometers and nullers
• image doubling
• illumination (lasers, LEDs, Micro-LEDs, OLEDS, EL tape/paint, solar, THz)
• MTF, PSF, and EE
• stray light/ghosts and narcissus; contamination consequences and control
• quantum dots
• optimization
• phase/prescription retrieval
• tolerancing and probabilistic design.

Electro-optical models including relating factors

• detector quantum efficiency and rapid read-outs
• charge diffusion
• EMI/EMC influences on E-O performance.

Optical coating performance

• filters
• laser damage resistance.

MEMS and MOEMS

• electrostatics; Casimir forces
• structures.

Structural and optomechanical modeling

• ultra-lightweight optics, nano-laminates, membrane mirrors
• mounting stresses, G-Release, and /or launch and deployment
• high impact/shock and pressure loadings
• influence functions
• vibration and damping
• closely-coupled dynamic structure-controls-optics simulations
• micro-dynamics and influences of piece-part inertia; friction/stiction; pinning
• mechanical influences such as scanning deformations and special zoom/servo effects
• thermo-elastic effects
• stress birefringence
• fracture mechanics, micro-yield, and lifetime estimates
• proof testing models
• material creep and hysteresis as a function of fabrication methods
• material anisotropy/inhomogeneity; plating, heat-treats
• bonding and bolting
• nodal accuracy; meshing.

Thermal and thermo-optical modeling

• effects of energy absorption with depth in transmissive elements; heat flow within mirrors
• thermal run-away in IR elements
• aircraft/UAV/instrument windows, missiles, and domes; inspection tie-ins
• solar loading
• cryogenics, cooling electronics
• thermo-optical material characterizations over new wavelengths and/or temperatures
• system sterilization
• hole drilling, welding, and laser heat treating
• HEL effects including survivability and hardening
• recursive models where thermo-elastic changes in-turn impact heating
• effects of joint resistance on conduction changes; mounting to a S/C-deck
• effects on LEDs
• effects at MEMS and nano-scale sizes
• meshing.

Integrated models

• closely coupled thermal-structural-optical models
• optical control systems
• global optimizers
• acquisition, pointing, and tracking
• end-to-end simulations.

Space-borne (and/or microlithographic/medical) contamination, and radiative factors

• contamination control (esp. for UV systems and large optics)
• particulate/NVR models
• photopolymerization
• radiative damage, atomic O₂
• spacecraft charging
• micro-meteoroid modeling, including spalling.

Aero-optics

• boundary layer and shock wave effects
• convective effects and air-path conditioning/self-induced turbulence.

Modeling of vision systems

• HUDs
• HMDs.

Application-specific unique optical models and performance predictions

• systems using adaptive optical components
• bio and medical optics/sensing, transportable systems, vision
• hyperspectral imaging; spectroscopy
• optics for the battlefield/warfighter (air, land, space, or sea)
• image processing
• lasers/laser communication systems/LIDARs
• LEDs/solid state lighting
• machine vision
• MEMs/nano technology
• existing/evolving photonic devices, PICs, and systems
• solar technology.

Other

• phenomenology
• reliability
• reticles: design and fabrication; performance
• rules of thumb and scale factors of use to individual disciplines
• shutters: design and fabrication; performance
• 3D printing of glass and multi-colored components
• specialized fabrication and/or metrology
• weight, power, cost, and schedule models for E-O systems, SWaPC.

Of special interest are new methods of analysis, and contributions to a body of work that will help provide various model "anchors" and parametric relationships that correlate results with predictions.