Optical Engineering
Lens Performance Budgeting Using the Hopkins Ratio
The Hopkins ratio provides a mathematically rigorous link between the two metrics that are most often used to specify a lens: the root-mean-square wavefront error (WFE) and the modulation transfer function (MTF). This ratio can be used to develop WFE budgets that provide insight into MTF performance.
When optical engineers begin designing complex lenses, they must face the challenge of developing an imaging performance budget. It is essential for them to allocate estimates for the allowable performance degradation from fabrication, assembly and environmental tolerances in order to define a cost-effective solution that meets the system requirements. Although such a budget will certainly be refined during detailed design, it is nevertheless important to establish baseline expectations early in the life cycle of an optical system.
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