Aspheric Lens

Knowledge about Aspheric Lens

What is an Aspheric Lens?

A sphere is defined by a single radius of curvature. Aspheric Lens have at least one aspherical surface. Optical engineers generally think of aspheric surfaces as aspheric, rotationally symmetric surfaces. The radius of curvature of the aspheric surface varies gradually from the center of the lens to the edge.

Applications of Aspherical Lenses

The surface profiles of aspheric lenses are not a portion of a sphere or cylinder. Their curvature radius varies with the central axis. Aspheric lenses have unique advantages over spherical lenses. For example, they can improve optical quality, reduce optical components and design costs. They are widely used in optical instruments, images and optoelectronics industries, such as digital cameras, CD players and high-end microscopic instruments.

Advantages of Aspheric Lens

The most significant advantage of using aspheric lens is the reduction of spherical aberrations commonly found in spherical lenses. Spherical aberration occurs when the lens cannot focus all incoming rays on the exact same point. Any spherical optical surface, even one that is perfectly designed and manufactured, will still suffer from spherical aberration. This inherent imperfection of the sphere causes incoming light rays to focus at different points and blur. By adjusting the surface constants and aspheric coefficients, an aspheric surface can be designed to eliminate spherical aberration. Aspheric surfaces provide true diffraction limited spot size and lowest wavefront error. Figure 2 shows that a spherical lens in a focusing system has significant spherical aberration compared to an aspheric lens.

Aspheric lens with complex surface profiles can be designed to reduce or minimize spherical aberration as well as other aberrations such as astigmatism, curvature of field, and distortion. In an optical system, multiple spherical elements can be replaced by one aspherical surface without loss of performance. In many cases, the use of aspheric lens can significantly improve system performance while reducing system weight, size, and manufacturing cost.

Aspherical Lenses Material Selection

Oplens can provide:

Plastic aspheric lenses which are a cost effective solution. This can be mass produced, however the surface quality is reduced in comparison to our other lens types. An advantage of injected moulded lenses is that a flange can be added for easier assembly within a system. 

Moulded glass aspheric lenses, where surfaces are polished to meet our customer requirements.

Oplens can provide, and already stock, fire polished aspheric lenses which have a large aperture, ideal for light collecting applications such as condenser lenses in LED based projects.

Diamond turned aspheric lenses for precision grade lenses, typically used for infrared optical components.

Why choose us?

We utilize cutting-edge technology to provide affordable aspheric lens solutions so you can enjoy precise, accurate results every time. 

You are welcome to consult us at any time for quotation and cooperation details!