Interactive Tolerance Analysis Using Optimization Error Functions

We have developed an interactive tolerancing capability for our optical design program, using the optimization error function as the performance criterion. The implementation was carried out using the program's built-in command language, and allows evaluation based on either the error function used during the actual design phase or a standard criterion (magnification, distortion, rms spotsize or wavefront error, etc.). This approach is more flexible than schemes that permit only pre-defined criteria.