Mozart, dice, and glass selection

John C. Tesar

doi:10.1117/12.402410

2 October 2000 Mozart, dice, and glass selection

John C. Tesar

Proceedings Volume 4092, Novel Optical Systems Design and Optimization III; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.402410
Event: International Symposium on Optical Science and Technology, 2000, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

In a perfect world a good starting point should not be required. A Genetic Algorithm in powerful lens design software should find an optimum solution for us. As a practical matter a good starting point does matter. Time and resources may not be sufficient to generate a good design in a global optimizer quickly. In lens design a small glass catalog combined with the Hammer algorithm in ZEMAX moves the glass selection process in a search around the glass map forcing the design to consider many radically different forms in a short amount of time. From this starting point an expanded search can be undertaken by conventional design methods or in a global search algorithm. There are precedents in other fields for a narrow search method that still yields near infinite numbers of solutions. Mozart invented a game that narrows a search from a blank sheet paper and a set of notes to a single voice minuet by rolling dice. The results can be played and the dynamics manipulated to form the starting points for future compositions. Music composition software has, like lens design software, incorporated many powerful algorithms and search techniques. A simple comparison will be made. It is a long way from a protoplasm to Christie Brinkley. A good starting point means a lot whether you are an optical designer, a composer, or running the universe.

Citation Download Citation

John C. Tesar "Mozart, dice, and glass selection", Proc. SPIE 4092, Novel Optical Systems Design and Optimization III, (2 October 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.402410

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KEYWORDS

Glasses

Lens design

Zemax

Ear

Genetic algorithms

Chemical elements

Optical design

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