David Kappel
About David Kappel
David Kappel is a Senior Optical Engineer at General Atomics, where he has worked since 2004. He has over 25 years of experience in lens design and has developed various innovative optical systems.
Work at General Atomics
David Kappel has served as a Senior Optical Engineer at General Atomics since 2004. Over his 20 years in this role, he has contributed to the development of innovative optical systems, including LCD-based arc lamps, laser projectors, and hand-held head-up display fused image optical systems. His work involves utilizing advanced visual test equipment to ensure the performance and quality of optical systems.
Education and Expertise
David Kappel studied Physics at San Diego State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from 1980 to 1985. His education laid the foundation for his extensive expertise in lens design, which spans over 25 years. He specializes in a variety of optical systems, including eyepieces, telescopes, and projection lenses.
Background
David Kappel has a background that includes collaboration with renowned optical engineers such as Warren Smith and Robert Fischer. He also studied at Northwood, further enhancing his knowledge and skills in the field of optics. His experience encompasses precision alignment of optical systems to the micron level, utilizing a Trioptics Opti-centric system.
Achievements
Throughout his career, David Kappel has developed a range of innovative optical technologies. He has hands-on experience in testing and measuring lens Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) performance, which is critical for assessing the quality of optical systems. Additionally, he has employed precision dioptometers with far field simulators to evaluate classical aberrations in optical systems.