Non-sequential ray tracing optical modeling and performance predictions: methodology for evaluating operational performance in imaging and spectral instruments from human eye to large-aperture space telescopes

Abstract

This paper outlines a methodology for evaluating operational performance in imaging and spectral instruments using non-sequential ray tracing (NSRT) optical modeling. The NSRT-based model allows the inclusion of components such as light sources, measurement targets, and optical instruments in a three-dimensional space, similar to computer-aided design (CAD). The proposed model propagates scalar energy and vector information of wavelength-dependent rays from the source through the target and instrument components, thus deriving spectral radiant power, irradiance, and radiance on the detector surface for performance estimation. To verify the effectiveness of this approach, several case studies were conducted, spanning across various scenarios and instrument sizes, demonstrating the versatility of the methodology.