Stray-Light & Ghost Analysis | Optical Design Services

At Yighen Ultra Precision, we perform detailed stray-light and ghost analysis to protect the image quality of optical systems. Even a well-optimized design can lose performance if unwanted scatter, reflections, or ghosts reduce contrast. Our team evaluates these effects during the design phase and provides mitigation strategies that can be carried into prototyping and production.

📩 Contact: info@yighen.com — We reply within 24 hours

Why Stray-Light & Ghost Analysis Matters

Stray light can come from reflections, scattering, diffraction, or surface imperfections. Ghost images often occur when strong reflections from surfaces overlap with the main optical path. Left unchecked, these effects lead to:

• Reduced contrast and dynamic range

• Image artifacts and false signals

• Lower detection sensitivity in sensors

• Degraded user experience in AR/VR or imaging systems

By simulating and controlling stray light early, we save clients costly redesigns and ensure that final hardware meets performance expectations. While this page focuses on Stray-Light & Ghost Analysis, the work always fits within a complete Optical System Design approach.

What We Deliver

• Ghost path analysis — identification of critical reflections in lens groups or folded optics

• Scatter simulations — BRDF-based modeling of surface scatter and coatings

• Illumination uniformity evaluation — ensuring light distribution remains consistent

• Mitigation recommendations — apertures, baffles, surface blackening, and coating strategies

• Reporting & documentation — a clear memo showing sources of stray light and solutions to suppress them

Our Approach

1. System-level evaluation — identify potential sources of ghosting and scatter during architecture stage

2. Ray-trace simulation — use LightTools and proprietary scripts to quantify intensity and distribution of stray light

3. BRDF modeling — analyze the role of coatings and surface roughness on scatter

4. Mitigation strategies — propose changes to geometry, apertures, coatings, or baffling

5. Validation plan — outline how stray-light performance will be measured in prototypes (e.g., imaging tests, contrast ratios)

Applications

• AR/VR Optics — prevent glare and ghost reflections that reduce display clarity

• Imaging Systems — improve contrast in cameras, microscopes, and diagnostic optics

• Automotive LiDAR & Sensors — suppress false returns and improve signal-to-noise ratio

• Defense & Aerospace — enhance detection and target recognition under high dynamic range conditions

• Illumination Optics — achieve uniform distribution without hotspots or flare

Case Snapshots

• AR headset lens — ghost analysis revealed reflections from lens #2; solution: anti-reflective coating and aperture stop adjustment → glare reduced by 40%.

• Medical imaging system — stray-light modeling identified scatter paths; implemented baffle design improved contrast by 25%.

• Automotive sensor — surface roughness and coating stack optimized → eliminated ghost image that produced false detections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is stray light in optical systems?
A: Unwanted light reaching the detector from scattering, reflection, or diffraction, reducing contrast and fidelity.

Q: What is ghost analysis?
A: Evaluation of ghost images caused by multiple reflections within an optical system.

Q: How do you model stray light?
A: We use LightTools and BRDF-based surface models, along with ray-trace simulations.

Q: How can stray light be suppressed?
A: Through baffles, black coatings, optimized apertures, and anti-reflective coatings.

Q: Do you provide a report?
A: Yes, clients receive a clear stray-light memo showing sources and recommended solutions.

Q: How does this service relate to overall system design?
A: It is part of our larger Optical System Design service, where all subsystems—custom optics, freeforms, aspherics, and analysis—are integrated into a coherent framework.

Start Your Stray-Light & Ghost Analysis

📩 Email info@yighen.com with your system details and application.
We reply within 24 hours.

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