Optical System Adjustment

Technology Overview

Achieving high optical performance by simply assembling optical components is difficult. Therefore, we use Nikon's unique measurement technology to perform high-precision, high-quality adjustments to meet optical performance required for our various products.
In addition to achieving product performance, we also design processes that facilitate assembly a productivity perspective based on, ensuring that production processes and work are effectively realized.
This allows us to create products that meet QCD.

When adjusting the optical system, its performance is evaluated during the assembly process, and adjustments are made to achieve the desired outcomes. In imaging optical systems, aberrations are often used as an index for performance, and the position and orientation of optical components such as lenses are adjusted accordingly.
High-performance optical products have complex configurations, so they need to be designed ease of assembly, considering costs and lead times.
This requires attention not only to functional design but also to production design, with production considerations starting from the development stage. Simulations are used to shorten development times, identify issues early, and optimize the configuration. Based on these simulations, we proceed to the actual assembly, adjustment, and production process.

By precisely adjusting the positions of highly processed optical components, Nikon achieves the required optical performance.
This is supported by Nikon's unique measurement technologies, such as wavefront aberration measurement.
The amount of adjustment is calculated from the results of wavefront aberration analysis, and adjustments are made to achieve the desired optical performance.
In the assembly and adjustment process for each product, such as cameras, microscope objective lenses, and semiconductor lithography systems, the positions of components in the optical system are adjusted according to the characteristics and magnitude of the measured aberration, ensuring the desired imaging performance.
In pursuit of higher quality and productivity, we are also working to apply and expand the adjustment methods used in each product to others.

Projection lens assembly adjustment

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