Tilted-component telescopes. Part I: theory.

A simple but unorthodox application of third-order aberration theory enables one to design a simple form of highly corrected off-axis telescope. Known as the tilted component telescope, with subclasses (a) Schiefspiegler, (b) Yolo, and (c) catadioptric herschelian (CHT), is it distinguished by axially symmetric components that frequently require only spherical curvature.

Proposed 131-cm f/3.5 Achromatic Schmidt Telescope.

An achromatic Schmidt design is proposed for use in twin instruments at Kitt Peak and Cerro Tololo (Chile). The use of an achromatic plate, rather than the conventional Schmidt plate, allows extended spectral coverage by virtue of improved aberration correction. The improvement in geometrical blur diameter appears to be on the order of three times or an improved light concentration of nine times. Some schemes to convert the Schmidt to a Cassegrainian telescope during bright moon periods are evaluated; the choice would be determined on the basis of acceptable mechanical assemblies and economic factors.

Aberration generator.

A new instrument, the aberration generator, has been developed for introducing precise amounts of aberration into an optical wavefront. Piston error, wavefront tilt, defocus, spherical aberration, coma, and astigmatism can be generated either individually or in combination. The instrument can be used to study the effects of aberrations on image quality and the optical transfer function for a wide variety of optical systems.

Design for a fast fluorescence laser scanning microscope.

The design of a fast fluorescence laser scanning microscope is described and illustrated, with discussion of the design consideration of the principal components, including the optical elements. The system, now under construction at the Optical Sciences Center of the University of Arizona, is expected to provide very-high-speed scanning, at a high spatial sampling density, of large object areas while retaining a flexibility of applications. The projected scanning rate approximates the rate achieved by flow cytometry; the projected rates of information generation should be orders of magnitude higher.

Ultrafast laser scanner microscope: design and construction.

The design of an ultrafast laser scanner microscope has been completed, and an experimental model has been constructed. Details of the novel objective lens design, the automatic focus system, the high-speed polygon scanner and the fast clock system are given. Results from initial tolerance testing as well as the first recorded images are presented.