Scenario 506 (2.

3)

Calculation of PSF and MTF of Doublet

Lens
Author: Hartwig Crailsheim (LightTrans)
Related Application Scenarios: 505
Requirements: VirtualLab 5.10.0 Starter Toolbox
License: CC-BY-SA 3.0

Modeling Task
This example shows the analysis of a focusing lens
system and the calculation of the Point Spread
Function (PSF) and the Modulation Transfer
Function (MTF) in VirtualLab.

Modeling Task
Calculation of PSF & MTF of
Double Lens System for Focusing of Collimated Light
45 mm

Focusing

Plane Wave
with 532 nm

Doublet Lens

Focal plane

Effective Focal Length f=7.83 mm

Point Spread Function

VirtualLab does not contain a special function
for the calculation of the PSF.
The PSF is automatically simulated in Field
Tracing mode if a plane wave or spherical wave
light source will be used. Just replace any real
source temporary by a spherical wave or plane
wave source.
The PSF is the resulting field in the focal plane of
the lens system.

Simulation of PSF

Modulation Transfer Function

The so called Modulation Transfer Function (MTF)
shows what is the maximum spatial frequency that
an incoherent imaging system is able to resolve.
So the MTF demonstrates the transmission of
different spatial frequencies. I.e. it allows some
conclusion about possible contrast values.

MTF Calculation
The MTF corresponds to the Fourier transform of
the power density of the PSF.
In general the field in the focal plane contains
values for the x-, y- and z-component.
So in the following the summed squared
amplitudes of Ex, Ey and Ey will be used which are
proportional to the power density.
Calculation of MTF:
2
2
2

MTF
= FT EPSF, x + EPSF, y + EPSF, z

normed

MTF Detector (Programmable)

For the MTF evaluation the
according programmable
detector from the detector
catalog is used to:
1. Sum up the squared
amplitudes of Ex, Ey, Ez.
2. Do a Fourier Transform.
3. Normalize.
4. Take the modulus and
display the MTF.

Light Path Diagram (LPD)

Simulation Results (Focusing Lens System)

Phase aberrations
after doublet lens

Point Spread
Function (PSF) in
false colors

MTF in 2D

2D MTF
(especially of interest
for non rotational
symmetric systems)

Profile of MTF
Use Edit
Conversion Create
Harmonic Field from
Data to generate an
harmonic field.
The MTF data will be
in the real part of the
harmonic field after
the conversion.
Use the profile line to
show a 1D profile of
the MTF.

Conclusion
PSF calculation is easily possible using a Plane
Wave or Spherical Wave light source.
PSF can be calculated not only by geometrical
optics calculation of aberrations in pupil and
Fourier transform but also by more accurate
propagation models.
PSF can be calculated by Field Tracing system
analysis.
MTF calculation possible by VirtualLab
programmable detector snippet.