Conventional optical design relies on iterative and time-consuming optimization methods. Finding the right starting system facilitates the design of relevant optical systems. It has been demonstrated that Saddle Point Construction Method (SPCM) can be used to design innovative optical systems based on pre-existing systems, or from scratch. This paper presents the results of a Python program using Code V’s Application Programming Interface (API) and applying the special version of SPCM to automatically design optical systems using a reduced glass map. To illustrate its robustness, cemented doublets have been automatically designed. A reduced glass map with thirty-four Schott glasses was combined with the SPCM for the design of 68 achromats. They were then compared with achromats from well-known manufacturers and with those described in the literature using a semi-analytical approach. The achromats were first designed with a total field of view (FOV) of 0° and were subsequently designed with a FOV of 5°. The best achromats obtained performed better or as well as existing achromats.
Maurey et al. (Mon,) studied this question.