Category: Blog

Photon Engineering LLC, based in Tucson, Arizona, specializes in optical engineering consulting and software development, covering design, analysis, and implementation phases. The firm, established in 1997, has worked with numerous global clients on diverse projects involving light-based technologies. Their portfolio includes LCD projectors, head-mounted displays, space satellite systems, laser and solar concentrator technologies, tactical and astronomical optics, light guides, illumination systems, medical optics, and automotive lighting, indicating expertise across a broad spectrum of optical applications.

Photon Engineering is recognized for its FRED Optical Engineering Software, a tool designed for solving complex optical problems and facilitating the development of optical projects from concept to prototype. FRED software allows users to simulate light propagation within optomechanical systems through raytracing. Designs can be imported from CAD or lens design programs or created within the software itself. Its versatility extends to various optical properties, making it suitable for diverse applications such as stray light analysis, laser applications, non-imaging and imaging optics, multi-wavelength systems, and thermal imaging. The software’s capability to handle both incoherent and coherent light further broadens its applicability in optical engineering.

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Type designers are keenly aware that visual perception can be deceptive, particularly when it comes to letterforms. Spacing between letters that is mathematically equal might appear visually uneven, often necessitating manual kerning adjustments. Similarly, strokes of identical widths can be perceived as differing in thickness depending on their orientation, horizontal versus vertical. Recognizing and addressing such optical illusions is crucial in font design.

Design studio Nostalgic Dolphin, founded by Igor Petrovic and specializing in branding, typography and UI/UX design, has created a helpful resource for graphic designers. They have published a blog post detailing seven common optical illusions encountered in type design, providing clear illustrations of each phenomenon.

The studio’s blog post covers key optical illusions such as ‘overshoot’, where curved or pointed letter shapes can appear to be different sizes compared to flat-ended shapes, and the ‘bone effect’, which describes the disjointed appearance where a straight line connects with a semicircle. Other illusions discussed include ‘sharp joint darkening’, a phenomenon causing the intersection of lines at sharp angles to look heavier, often requiring the use of an ink trap technique.

For a comprehensive understanding of these visual tricks in typography, the full article can be found on Nostalgic Dolphin’s website. This resource serves as a valuable guide for designers to refine their craft and avoid common pitfalls caused by optical illusions in type design.

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Optical engineers are increasingly recognizing the impact of stray light on the performance of optical systems, a phenomenon often overlooked compared to electrical noise in electrical engineering. Stray light, essentially unwanted light within an optical system, can significantly degrade signal quality, especially in sensitive applications like astronomy, low-light detection, and medical imaging where even a single photon is crucial.

Experts at Photon Engineering LLC emphasize that understanding and managing stray light is becoming increasingly vital for optimizing optical instrument performance. The sources of optical noise are diverse, ranging from diffraction, which spreads light beyond expected geometric paths, to ghost images created by reflections within optical elements. Diamond-turned surfaces, unless polished, can introduce diffraction gratings, and even microscopic roughness from polishing, along with ubiquitous dust particles, can scatter light. Paints and surface treatments used to control stray light exhibit varied scattering properties, from diffuse to specular, with emerging materials like carbon nanotubes offering extremely low scatter. Thermal radiation from system components, particularly significant in longwave infrared instruments used for thermal imaging in medical diagnostics and other fields, also contributes to optical noise.

To quantify and analyze stray light, engineers employ metrics such as Point Source Transmittance (PST), which measures the ratio of detector energy to incident energy as a function of the angle of incidence. Another key metric is “percent stray light,” representing the ratio of total stray light power to signal power, essentially the inverse of the signal-to-noise ratio. In thermal infrared applications, a technique using geometrical configuration factors (GCF) derived from ray tracing allows for accurate calculation of thermal self-emission.

Controlling stray light relies heavily on strategic design and implementation, notably through baffles, stops, and vanes. These components block unwanted light paths; field stops prevent out-of-field stray light, and Lyot stops manage diffraction from the pupil edge. Baffle tubes with vanes are effective in shadowing optical systems and reducing multiple scatter events.

Modern stray light analysis software has evolved significantly, now capable of modeling complex geometries with hundreds of thousands of surfaces, far exceeding the surface count in typical lens design software. These tools allow for detailed specification of optical coatings and scattering properties through bi-directional scatter distribution functions (BSDFs). Ray tracing, a fundamental technique, simulates light propagation, including ray splitting at surfaces with coatings and scattering based on BSDFs. Advanced techniques like importance sampling direct scattered rays toward critical areas like detectors, improving computational efficiency. GPU-enabled software and distributed computing now drastically reduce calculation times, enabling rapid analysis of billions of rays in complex systems.

Contemporary stray light software provides more than just a single stray light level; it offers detailed insights through irradiance plots, surface contribution tables, ray path visualizations, and illumination maps. This detailed output empowers engineers to pinpoint stray light sources and implement targeted solutions like optimized baffling, improved coatings, or different paint selections. The aim, according to Photon Engineering LLC, is to utilize every photon effectively, pushing the boundaries of sensitivity in increasingly compact optical systems. While material limitations exist for surface smoothness and blackness, often, precise placement of baffles or enhanced cleanliness are sufficient to shift performance from unacceptable to near-optimal.

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MAMARONECK, NY – Eye Designs of Mamaroneck, a Westchester County eyewear institution, is celebrating 40 years of bringing upscale Manhattan style to the suburbs. Founded in 1984 by Sharon Decker, the business began with her vision to offer chic, high-end eyewear outside of New York City. Today, Sharon co-owns the company with her son Harris, marking the third generation of family involvement in the optical industry, which started with Sharon’s mother in the 1970s.

Eye Designs has grown to three locations in Westchester, including the featured Mamaroneck store, along with its original Scarsdale location and another in Armonk. The Mamaroneck store, opened in 2022, embodies the brand’s commitment to “only the best, always independent eyewear from around the world.”

The design of the Mamaroneck location prioritizes walk-by traffic with a bright and bold storefront featuring Eye Designs’ signature red and white colors and new LED lighting to showcase the frames. The window display is a bookshelf-like design showcasing rotating frames alongside books and plants. A prominent sign outside asks passersby, “Do you love your glasses?” a question that has become a recognizable slogan for the business, often prompting customer engagement, especially from children.

Inside, customers are presented with a wide selection of independent eyewear brands, including Lindberg and Anne et Valentin, which have been key to the company’s success. A state-of-the-art lab at the Scarsdale location supports all three stores and is staffed by experienced optical technicians. The company emphasizes its staff as a core strength, highlighting their experience and dedication to customer service. Each location also has an in-house optometrist providing full-service eye exams. Hoya lenses are a primary lens partner, and EyeCloud EHR is used for electronic health records.

Eye Designs uses its online presence more for brand awareness than direct sales. Their Instagram account has even drawn customers from outside the region. However, they emphasize real-world customer interaction, sending personal thank-you notes to all new patients, including children.

The business highlights its commitment to customer experience, aiming for exceptional service for every patient regardless of their purchase amount. This dedication is reflected in strong online reviews.

The Mamaroneck store incorporates local elements, featuring artwork by local artists, including a mural using paint and 3D printed eyewear, and a Westchester County collage map. Eye Designs also shows community engagement through its “Fur a Good Cause” initiative, where basic repairs and adjustments are offered in exchange for donations to New York Pet Rescue, raising thousands for the organization. A “Wall of Fame” patient appreciation mural, updated every two years with photos of customers, further strengthens community ties. Last year, for their 40th anniversary, Eye Designs launched a #40ActsOfKindness campaign, starting with a donation to the local Lions Club. Vintage black-and-white photos of Mamaroneck Avenue also decorate the store, celebrating the town’s history.

Judges from the optical industry commend Eye Designs for its exceptional eyewear collections, customer service, marketing strategy, community focus, and store design, highlighting the bright and modern interior with local art and engaging window displays.

One unique marketing effort by Eye Designs is a partnership with a nearby independent movie theater. An ad before movie previews asks, “Is this movie as clear as it should be?” suggesting a visit to Eye Designs for those who might need vision correction. This local approach has proven successful in reaching their target audience.

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This is not a news article, but rather a list of references from a research paper or publication, seemingly focused on topics related to solar energy, photovoltaics, and optical technology. The entries detail various academic papers, conference proceedings, and patents, covering subjects such as concentrator photovoltaic modules, solar concentrators, Fresnel lenses, nonimaging optics, graded index optics, and nanomaterials for solar applications. It appears to be a bibliography section providing sources for further reading on advanced solar energy research and development.

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Good image processing software can significantly decrease the need for highly accurate optical systems, a principle demonstrated by the human eye. Despite being an imperfect optical system, the eye, paired with the brain’s powerful image processing capabilities, enables excellent vision. Neuroscientists at MIT have recently discovered just how rapid this processing is, finding the human brain can process images in as little as 13 milliseconds, much faster than the previously thought 100 milliseconds.

These insights from the human eye offer valuable lessons for designing optical products. Firstly, onboard software can effectively compensate for imperfections in optical systems. Just like our brains correct for less-than-perfect eyesight, software can overcome limitations in cheaper lenses. This software can address issues such as distortion, uneven illumination, and color aberrations. This approach is especially useful in applications like factory automation where machine vision cameras benefit from software optimization to ensure high-quality image analysis for inspection processes.

Secondly, image processing software is reshaping optical design requirements. Traditional optical design often prioritized uniform illumination, sometimes at the cost of resolution. However, with digital image processing, uniform illumination becomes less critical. This allows for greater use of vignetting, enabling the use of smaller lenses. Furthermore, software processing can reduce the need for extensive color and distortion correction in the optical design, as these defects can be rectified digitally after image capture. This shift suggests that onboard software is increasingly influencing the priorities of optical engineers.

Thirdly, by handling image processing, onboard software frees up designers to concentrate on other crucial aspects of optical systems. Similar to how our brains handle image processing allowing our eyes to remain mobile and observe our surroundings, software in optical systems like smartphone cameras manages distortion. This allows optical designers the bandwidth to refine other optical elements, such as minimizing third-order aberrations like astigmatism and coma.

While onboard image processing is beneficial, it should not be viewed as a substitute for sound optical design. A holistic approach is crucial, where designers consider the entire system, from the light source and optics to the detector, mechanics, electronics, software, and environment. Considering software and post-processing as integral parts of the system enables engineers to develop the most effective and cost-efficient products.

Further inspiration is drawn from studying and modeling the human eye itself. Optical models of the eye are essential for designing instruments used to examine the eye, such as fundus cameras, and for designing devices the eye looks through, including ophthalmic, contact, and intraocular lenses. These models also aid in understanding the eye’s optical system and the impact of conditions like corneal scarring and cataracts on retinal image formation. Over 150 years, numerous eye models have been developed, ranging from simple to highly complex, to various levels of accuracy. Zemax offers a range of sequential and non-sequential human eye models in OpticStudio, complete with glass catalog data, facilitating the design and analysis of this imperfect yet remarkably efficient optical system, ultimately guiding the development of more advanced optical technologies.

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University of Delaware’s Gu lab is advancing the field of photonics through innovative research that draws inspiration from diverse areas such as machine learning and chemistry. Researchers are focused on enhancing photonic devices by leveraging knowledge from various disciplines. One study published in Nature Communications was inspired by image classification techniques used in machine learning, adapting these methods to an integrated photonic platform. Another study, featured in Advanced Materials, took cues from chemists studying phase transition mechanisms.

The Gu lab’s research process involves three critical stages: computer simulations to evaluate chip designs, fabrication of the actual chips at UD’s Nanofabrication Facility, and rigorous testing to compare chip performance against simulation predictions. Doctoral student Yahui Xiao, whose work centers on photonic crystals, values the interdisciplinary nature of the research, which blends fundamental physics with manufacturing expertise. She believes the hands-on fabrication skills gained at UD’s facility are invaluable for her future career in optical engineering and nanophotonics.

Dun Mao, another doctoral student working on the indium selenide project, finds the most exciting aspect of the challenging research to be observing experimental breakthroughs that lead to faster and more efficient devices. Professor Gu underscores that while numerous research questions exist within photonics, the lab’s direction is guided by the interests and passions of her students. She encourages a high-risk approach to research, where students can learn from both successes and setbacks.

Both Mao and Xiao acknowledge Professor Gu’s significant support in their graduate studies. Xiao also highlights the inspiring presence of a successful woman mentor in a field where men are typically more represented. She emphasizes that Professor Gu’s guidance, successful projects, sponsors, and network are highly encouraging.

The Nature Communications paper involved co-authors Zi Wang, Lorry Chang, Feifan Wang, Tiantian Li, and Tingyi Gu from UD. The Advanced Materials paper included Chris J. Benmore and Ganesh Sivaraman from Argonne National Laboratory, along with UD researchers Tiantian Li, Yong Wang, Wei Li, Dun Mao, Igor Evangelista, Huadan Xing, Qiu Li, Feifan Wang, Anderson Janotti, Stephanie Law, and Tingyi Gu.

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Building Information Modeling (BIM) is transforming the architecture, engineering, and construction industries by moving beyond simple 3D modeling towards a comprehensive system for managing buildings throughout their lifecycle. Initially used for design and drawing production, BIM is now an industry-standard tool aimed at improving construction efficiency, reducing errors, and saving labor. This shift represents a fundamental change in how buildings are documented, linking digital information directly to the physical construction and operation of buildings.

BIM has evolved beyond 3D models to incorporate up to seven dimensions. A 4D model simulates the construction timeline, 5D estimates costs, 6D analyzes energy efficiency and sustainability, and 7D manages facilities using the as-built building model. While 7D applications are still developing, the overall trend in architecture is towards an “information turn,” cataloging the built environment as a vast, interconnected database of building data.

This “architectural visualization” moves beyond aesthetics. BIM visualization is described as a tool for industry-wide coordination, managing material facts and expertise. It’s not just a picture, but a working instrument. The software itself facilitates planning, execution, and accountability, reshaping how construction projects are managed.

The visual nature of BIM is characterized by two distinct styles: generic, grey shaded models for basic representation and brightly colored, densely packed engineering elements showcasing coordination. This split personality highlights the diverse functionalities within BIM.

This approach echoes the High Tech architecture movement, which emphasized visible engineering systems. However, BIM’s exposed services are not merely aesthetic. They are coordinated and functional, demonstrating the “work-as-modeled” principle. Unlike past examples where color-coding was didactic, BIM uses color numerically, as office standards for managing complex information across projects and teams.

Despite lacking photorealism, BIM graphics are considered trustworthy, with screenshots used by AEC companies to convey reliability and expertise. The screenshot itself represents a shift from paper-based verification to a “virtually witnessed” reality, reinforcing confidence in computer-aided design.

Early applications of computer graphics in architecture, like MIT’s IMAGE system in the 1980s, focused on space planning and evaluation, assessing design proposals for spatial consistency. These early systems laid the groundwork for today’s smart modeling practices where entire rooms can be parametrically defined.

Digital space planning is now highly efficient, particularly for standardized building types like operating theaters and prison cells, with highly defined design requirements.

While traditional 2D architectural drawings use geometric translation and pictorial arrangement, BIM uses 3D elements cataloged and coordinated in machine-readable data. This eliminates repetitive drawing updates and enables quantitative analysis. The concept of models updating themselves and identifying conflicts emerged with software like RUCAPS in the 1980s.

Machine coordination has a material basis, tied to computer processing power. Modern BIM software automatically flags discrepancies and “clashes,” becoming a proactive part of the design and construction process. The visualization of these clashes is essential to the collaborative platform model, highlighting the value proposition of coordination.

BIM has extended beyond 3D into 4D construction sequencing. Instead of traditional drawings representing labor actions, BIM software simulates project timelines and site activity, emphasizing automation and efficiency gains. However, the paradox of automation, where gains are offset by increased complexity, also applies to BIM, requiring expanded human-machine partnerships and ongoing checks for errors.

The sophisticated nature of BIM objects, going beyond simple representations to include engineering properties and real-world system behaviors, is a key feature. These parametric objects are precisely defined and linked to suppliers, transforming architectural space into a collection of specified, procurable assets.

This object-centric approach necessitates new data management practices. Building data proliferation creates “archive anxieties,” raising concerns about data storage, liability, intellectual property, and control. Virtual component libraries and cloud-based storage are becoming essential for managing BIM data.

Software platforms are becoming the new trade libraries, with manufacturers providing BIM objects for their product ranges. This shift advantages larger players with BIM capabilities, potentially disadvantaging smaller firms in the supply chain.

A digital divide exists within BIM between “smart” parametric models and “dumb” generic graphics. This mirrors a broader trend in smart cities, where “smart” objects with sensors are valued over “dumb” sensorless objects. This raises questions about the future legibility and serviceability of “dumb” building elements within increasingly data-driven building management systems.

At the 7D level, BIM extends into facility management software, providing interfaces to track building systems, occupancy, and assets. This enables lifecycle coordination and a shift towards viewing buildings as portfolios of assets for maximizing Return on Investment (ROI).

Extended Reality (XR) technologies like Augmented Reality (AR) are further integrating BIM into building operations, allowing workers to view digital layouts on-site. Mobile BIM applications facilitate preventative maintenance and create “electronic owner’s manuals” based on data-rich models, aiming for seamless building upkeep.

This drive for data integration and life-cycle synchronization equates technical precision with factual reality. The “digital twin” concept, a dynamic virtual model of a physical structure powered by sensor data, embodies this trend. Digital twins enable automated maintenance, performance optimization, and predictive management across various infrastructure types.

Digital twins like the one for Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, which links BIM and GIS data, allow for real-time monitoring and simulation of potential failures, leading to cost and time savings. This represents a move towards constant, data-driven vigilance in building management.

Building simulations now carry reputational and investment value, promising error-free realities. Architectural visualization has shifted from form to information management, becoming a tool for control, prediction, and claim verification regarding infrastructure. The power of the building information model raises political and visuality questions about its implementation and impact.

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