Introduction to APEX
This tutorial provides an introduction to using the APEX optical design and analysis program, with hands-on exercises, demonstrations, and lectures. Students follow the APEX workflow procedure to design and analyze a variety of illumination and imaging systems.
Course Overview
Students learn to apply the 4-Step workflow to accurately design and analyze common illumination systems, such as conic reflectors, lightpipes, and CPCs. The integrated SolidWorks(r) CAD capabilities can be used to generate a wide range of system components. APEX Wizard's are introduced for adding light sources -- such as LEDs -- to system models, and for creating high-accuracy optical geometry -- such as aspheres. Course materials based on theory as well as practical experience are used to drive corresponding hands-on practice sessions. Students learn how to perform radiometric and photometric analyses to assess the performance of optical systems.
Course Outline
- Overview of the 4-Step Process
- Creating geometry in CAD
- Creating geometry using the Optical Manager
- Applying optical properties
- Refraction, reflection, absorption, and scatter
- Basic radiometry and photometry
- Total internal reflection
- Fresnel reflection and transmission
- Designing conic reflectors
- Faceting reflectors
- Designing geometry for reuse
- CPCs, prisms, lenses
Familiarity with geometric and optical concepts is helpful but not required.
This Introductory Tutorial is a four-day course limited to 16 participants.
