Design challenges of variable magnification/variable object distance (VMODO) systems
Steven H. Vogel, Christopher C. Alexay, Troy A. Palmer, Naomi J. Pollica · Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE · 2014
There are many applications for zoom systems which operate through a range of working distances while at the same time allowing multiple zoom levels or a smoothly varying magnification range. The problems involved in creating a system to support such applications are greater than either a fixed focal length system or a zoom system operating with an image at infinity. In this paper we will explore some of the optical and mechanical issues involved in such efforts, the tradeoffs between high optical performance and simple mechanical designs, and provide some of the solutions we’ve developed to address these issues.