Optical design of a free-space photonic switching system

The optical design of a photonic switching system is described in detail. The system is a 4-f imaging system with one lens design based on a Petzval lens and the second lens design based on a double Gauss lens. The assembled system is 60 mm x 70 mm x 370 mm and features a single imaging stage, pupil division for beam combination, and a single fiber bundle for both input and output. A brief description of the system requirements is provided, and the implication of some of these requirements for the paraxial design is explained. The choice of design forms for the lenses is explained, the design process is outlined, and the final lens designs are provided. Lens tolerancing is outlined and the final lens tolerances are provided. Finally, the assembly and the alignment processes are described.