Practical Limits of Image Quality for Near Perfect Lenses

Bruce H. Walker

doi:10.1117/12.7971651

1 October 1973 Practical Limits of Image Quality for Near Perfect Lenses

Bruce H. Walker

Author Affiliations +

Optical Engineering, Vol. 12, Issue 5, 125152 (October 1973). https://doi.org/10.1117/12.7971651

Abstract

On more than one occasion, responsible engineering people have produced specifications for a lens system that are totally unachievable due to either diffraction effects, manufacturing limitations or both. This paper examines several typical examples of perfect and near perfect lenses, showing the magnitude of degradation that must be expected. Evaluation is accomplished first by examining the effect on energy distribution within the Airy Disc pattern. Then, in order to demonstrate the effect on images of extended objects, Modulation Transfer Function data is presented for the same condition. The data indicates that diffiaction at the system aperture, particularly where an obscuration is present, and minute residual wavefront imperfections ( X/4 OPD), will have an effect on the final system performance that must be taken into account. An important factor iri determining the significance of these errors on final system performance would be whether the optics are forming point images or extended images of real world objects.

Citation Download Citation

Bruce H. Walker "Practical Limits of Image Quality for Near Perfect Lenses," Optical Engineering 12(5), 125152 (1 October 1973). https://doi.org/10.1117/12.7971651

Published: 1 October 1973

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

;

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE