Ray tracing in thermally loaded optical systems

Abstract: High‐power laser beams are usually imaged with the help of suitable optics. The propagation of such beams, through optical systems, often result in a focus shift. This is mainly due to the deposited power in the beam acting as a heat source in the optical elements. Finally, the resulting change in temperature leads to both, a deformation of the lens surface, and a change of the refractive index in the lens. Ray tracing and the finite element method are needed in order to analyze the above effects. The accuracy and the computational time of focus shift calculations, in both simulation techniques, are strongly influenced by the interpolation of the data. This paper will present, a newly proposed interpolation method, allowing a fast and accurate interpolation of data using an unstructured finite element grid. This method will specifically focus on the accurate calculation of laser beam thermal load inside an optical lens.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Ray tracing in thermally loaded optical systems ; volume:21 ; number:1 ; year:2021 ; extent:4 ; Proceedings in applied mathematics and mechanics ; 21, Heft 1 (2021) (gesamt 4)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Rall, Phillip Lino ; Pflaum, Christoph

Further information

• DOI: 10.1002/pamm.202100044
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2021121514263689744149
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:31 AM CEST