Open AccessAchromatic GRIN singlet lens design
Author(s) -
Richard A. Flynn,
E. F. Fleet,
G. Beadie,
James S. Shirk
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.21.004970
Subject(s) - achromatic lens , optics , gradient index optics , lens (geology) , chromatic aberration , refractive index , simple lens , focal length , ray tracing (physics) , physics , chromatic scale
Gradient refractive index (GRIN) materials are attractive candidates for improved optical design, especially in compact systems. For GRIN lenses cut from spherically symmetric GRIN material, we derive an analogue of the "lens maker's" equation. Using this equation, we predict and demonstrate via ray tracing that an achromatic singlet lens can be designed, where the chromatic properties of the GRIN counterbalance those of the lens shape. Modeling the lens with realistic materials and realistic fabrication geometries, we predict we can make an achromatic singlet with a 19 mm focal length using a matrix of known polymers.