Fast image-quality-based optimization of optical systems

The performance is reported of new optimization software that maximizes the relative modulation transfer function (MTF) by minimizing the merit function (1 minus the approximate relative MTF). Contrary to the predictions of earlier studies, this merit function, whose only variable part is the variance of the wave aberration difference function, is shown to be effective for both poorly and well-corrected systems. In addition, the new software is significantly faster than our in-house software for the direct optimization of the actual MTF.