DETERMINATION OF THE OPTIMAL REFERENCE SPHERE IN THE CASE OF COHERENTILLUMINATION

In an earlier paper, the author proposed a new image quality measure a nd a new definition of the centre of the point spread. Determination o f the value of this measure is equivalent to simultaneous optimization of the reference sphere. This measure resolves itself into a mean squ are of the wave aberration in the case of small aberration. In the pre sent paper, the parameters of the optimal reference sphere are calcula ted for the circular, annular and rectangular exit pupils.