3 Keys To Quality Double Gaussian Lens Design

Gaussian Lens

One of the most common lens system designs- especially in photography- is what is called a Double Gaussian lens. There are several different configurations, and close to 90 different patents have been filed from 1936 – 2010, but a basic double gaussian lens design configuration is the one shown in Figure 1. This simple Gauss […]

Beam Splitters: Explained

Beam Splitters: Explained

Beam splitters are a fundamental element in optical systems. Beam splitters are, in essence, optical components used to divide a single light source (usually a laser) into two separate beams. The more common kind of beam splitters (the kind that you can find in most colleges or labs) is a beam splitter that can split […]

Fisheye Lens Design

Fisheye Lens Design

Anyone who has peaked through a hotel room peephole has used a fish eye lens. Usually, the fish eye lens has a very short focal length (less than 15mm for a 35mm-size image sensor), but a large field of view (FOV). The latter can be as large as 180-degrees, giving the user a complete view […]

Telecentric Lens Design: Enhancing Precision in Optical Systems

Telecentric Lens Design

Introduction to Telecentric Lenses An important goal in machine vision applications is taking measurements in a consistent, accurate, and precise manner. This can include measuring the dimensions of manufactured parts to guarantee they are within the design tolerance, or measuring the width of electric tracks in a PCB. For these applications, telecentric lenses can deliver […]

Calcium Fluoride Glass: An Overview

Figure 1.Calcium Fluoride transmission window. Image from EdmundOptics

The choice of glass is a fundamental part in the optical design process. This is especially true for IR and thermal optics materials. In this article, we will review Calcium Fluoride (CaF2), an interesting glass that has a wide range of applications. Before we start, let’s look at the transmission window for CaF2 (Figure 1). […]

Top 12 Resources for Mastering Lens Design: A Comprehensive Guide

Figure 1. Cover of Warren Smith Modern Lens Design (3ed).

Introduction Lens design is undeniably a complex and challenging field of study, characterized by its intricate blend of physics, mathematics, and engineering principles. Becoming a truly proficient lens designer isn’t merely a matter of acquiring theoretical knowledge; it necessitates years of hands-on practical experience and a keen understanding of how to apply theoretical concepts to […]