Daniel C.

I'm a full time optical design consultant with more than 14 years of experience. Most of my past and current projects are utilizing lasers, but imaging optics, spectroscopy and illumination design are often a topic too. Examples of laser projects: laser cutting, 3D printing metal and resin, laser illumination, micromachining, LIDAR, laser welding, laser scanning, laser beam shaping, laser cleaning, Bessel beams, OCT, nonlinear microscopy, fiber DPSS and gas lasers .. and a lot more. In addition to lasers I worked on a wide range of projects including design of Imaging Optics (eyepieces, f-theta objectives, camera lenses with up to 7 lens elements, image relay systems, SWIR objectives) and Spectroscopy (high resolution or compact spectrometers from UV to NIR, hyperspectral and multispectral imaging). Illumination Design is often a topic too. I designed optics for automotive interior and exterior lighting, medical and dental headlights, UV disinfection devices, long range spotlights, projectors. I have a little laboratory where I can also build physical prototypes after the virtual prototyping (optical simulation) is done. The lab features a laminar flow cabinet, spectrometer, general purpose optomechanics, power supplies, laser and LED sources, 3D printer, UV cure and bonding supplies, laser cutter/engraver, oscilloscope, multimeter, soldering station, cameras and lenses, light microscope, SWIR camera.. and more. Regarding the optical design and simulation tools I use FRED (Photon Engineering), Quadoa and Zemax (only if absolutely necessary). Both of the first too are capable of importing and exporting Zemax OpticStudio, Code V, OSLO and CAD compatible formats. FRED is an excellent tool to model non-sequential (non-imaging) systems and coherent laser beams. For modeling stray light analysis and scattering this is the best tool on the market. Quadoa is used for imaging optical design, relatively new but exceptionally innovative optical design software. I have a range of software tools which I'm skilled at and can come handy during the project. Couple of examples: CAD modeling (Shapr3D), data analysis and manipulation (Matlab, WolframAlpha), design guidelines and calculators (MS Excel with VBA). A typical project takes 20-100 hours of work. General consultations will take less and larger projects including prototype builds will take more. I run the DIY-Optics website and have a company in Switzerland which can support your project in many ways: optical an mechanical engineering, prototype builds and tests. If your project deals with light, I'm sure I can help you finding a solution.