A 50mm laser beam expander for 1064 nm wavelength offers precise 5X magnification, high optical quality, robust design in laser systems.
A 50mm laser beam expander for 1064 nm wavelength offers precise 5X magnification, high optical quality, robust design in laser systems.
Explore SWIR hyperspectral camera lenses, blending short-wave infrared technology with hyperspectral imaging for detailed spectral analysis.
Key Takeaways: An Ultra Wide Angle lens, with field views up to 160°, is crucial for capturing expansive scenes and intricate details. Their complex design includes negative front groups and positive back groups for deflection and correction. Aspherical lenses improve image quality and compactness, while digital correction addresses distortions. Wide-angle lenses are essential in photography, security surveillance, automotive systems, and aerial imaging. Wide Angle Lens Overview A wide-angle lens, with its short focal length and broad viewing angle, captures expansive scenes, making it ideal for landscapes, buildings, and large outdoor vistas. It emphasizes the foreground while encompassing a wide background, creating unique visual effects. In addition, widely used in photography, wide-angle lenses are also prevalent in security surveillance, automotive systems, and aerial photography, enhancing real-time coverage, safety, and convenience. Key specifications include Field of View: Ranges from 80° to 120° for wide-angle lenses, over 120° for super-wide, and near or above 180° for fisheye lenses. Focal Length: Less than 38mm in traditional photography, and typically under 10mm in security applications. Wavelength: Covers visible wavelengths, with short-wave infrared for poor lighting conditions and night imaging. Chief Ray Angle: The alignment with the detector’s angle is crucial to maintain image quality and illumination. Distortion: Wide-angle lenses exhibit “Pincushion” distortion, often corrected digitally, enabling the broad application of ultra-wide and fisheye lenses. Design of Ultra Wide Angle Lens EFFL 2.5mm F number 3 Wavelength visible light Image height 7.2mm Vertical FOV 120° Diagonal FOV 160° F-theta distortion <5% This lens is designed to have a field of view of 160°, which is an ultra-wide-angle lens. Moreover, wide-angle lenses are usually composed of a negative front group and a positive back group of lenses, with the structure being relatively complex. In order to achieve their purpose, wide-angle lenses need at least one or several negative lenses as the front group to achieve the deflection of light in the field of view. Additionally, in general, the complexity of the front group is determined by the size of the field of view of the lens. The diaphragm is usually placed in the middle of the rear group. In most cases, double-bonded lenses for chromatic aberration correction are set in the latter group. MTF&Spot In order to prevent the occurrence of purple edges during imaging, the lens coverage band is 435nm-656nm. Considering the tolerance of component processing and assembly, the MTF can reach >15%@250lp/mm, which can meet the sensor use of 2um pixels. Distortion The object image relation is image height=f ‘θ, and the F-theta distortion is less than 5%. A total of 10 pieces of glass are used in the design, including 8 pieces of spherical lens and 2 pieces of aspherical lens. The lens image quality is good. The use of aspherical surfaces can improve the image quality, simplify the structure, and help to compress the overall size. The overall size of this lens is small, with a length of 28mm, which is conducive to integration in actual use. Versatility of Ultra Wide Angle Lenses In conclusion, wide-angle lenses, with their short focal lengths and expansive fields of view, are indispensable tools in both traditional and modern imaging applications. They excel in capturing wide landscapes, intricate architectural details, and large vistas, making them essential for photographers. Furthermore, beyond photography, their utility extends to security surveillance, automotive systems, and aerial photography, where they enhance coverage, safety, and convenience. Moreover, the sophisticated design of wide-angle lenses, incorporating multiple glass elements and aspherical surfaces, ensures high image quality and compact form factors. The integration of advanced features like short-wave infrared compatibility and digital distortion correction further broadens their applicability. As demonstrated, by lenses with up to 160° field of view and meticulous design considerations to optimize image quality and minimize distortions, wide-angle lenses continue to evolve, meeting the diverse needs of various imaging disciplines. At Avantier we can produce custom wide angle lenses in many configurations, including wide angle low distortion lenses with built-in correction. Contact us today to set up your initial consultation or to discuss your next project. Related Content
Discover how F-theta lenses ensure precise, uniform spot sizes in laser processing through effective distortion correction.
Discover how a wide angle thermal imaging lens provides expansive coverage and enhances thermal data analysis for surveillance and others.
Explore optical system design optimization for fixed-focus lenses and objectives, including structural adjustments and tolerance analysis.
Light manipulation in laser systems demands precision micro prisms for optimal performance in any optical system.
Key Takeaways Reverse Optical Engineering is pivotal for recreating or enhancing optical components, especially when original designs are unavailable or are in need of improvement. This case study showcases the necessary steps in lens reverse engineering, from customer collaboration and sample testing to optical path simulation and final lens assembly. Using advanced tools and iterative optimization, tailored solutions meet precise specifications, ensuring customer satisfaction and industry innovation. The value of reverse engineering extends to revitalizing legacy products and staying abreast of evolving optical industry demands, highlighting its crucial role in technological advancement and customer-centric design. Case Study: Lens Reverse Engineering Introduction Reverse optical engineering, including lens reverse engineering, entails comprehending the functionality of existing optical components or systems through examination. This facilitates the replication or enhancement of these components. It proves advantageous when the original design is inaccessible or when there’s a desire to enhance existing technology. This method is invaluable for crafting customized optical systems for specific needs, discerning original engineering endeavors, or replicating intricate designs efficiently and cost-effectively. This approach empowers individuals to refine the focal point of an optical system and capture detailed object information for subsequent analysis and manufacturing using the refined design. The traditional design workflow is typically “from scratch”. In reverse engineering, you start with an off-the-shelf machine or component and work backwards to disassemble each component or layer. Due to various reasons, the original manufacturer of this lens has stopped production, but there is still a small amount of demand in the market to continue the production of the lens in reverse. Specification Diameter 32mm Focal length 25mm（magnification 10X） Eye relief 25-250mm Lens reverse engineering process Customer needs to provide a sample lens First of all, the customer needs to provide two sample lenses, one for lens image quality testing, and the other for destructive testing of the parameters of the lens and structural components. At the same time, it is also necessary for the customer to provide the use scenario of the lens, so as to pay attention to the customer’s application in the later design. Figure 1 is a customer sample lens. Figure 1. Customer’s sample lens Design optical path simulation The customer needed an eyepiece with a lens that could achieve a balance between 25-200mm eye relief distance and imaging using a smartphone, and the customer had to be able to look away from the optics and maintain a good image. Key parameters are as follows: Figure 2. Customer Sample Diagram Figure 3. Optical Schematic Diagram Figure 2 and Figure 3 simulate the visual usage of two different lens Settings in existing products. Figure 2 lens does not work for long visual distance, but works well for short visual distance and has high lens resolution. Figure 3 applies to short and long visual distances, but with reduced edge resolution, the distortion is greater when using a smartphone. Retinal image Test the overall parameters of the lens Initially, the primary parameters of the lens undergo testing, encompassing focal length, entrance pupil diameter, back intercept, and image quality. Simultaneously, the lens dimensions are examined, with no alterations made to them during subsequent reverse engineering processes. Disassemble a lens and input the test lens data into the optical design software, such as Zemax. It is necessary to input the test data into the optical design software. If there is any error, the parameters need to be optimized. Spec Radius Thickness Material Diameter Doublet 50.308 10.488 H-ZK6 32 -22.723 1.477 H-ZF52A 32 -55.444 0.26 32 Singlet 33.006 6.148 H-LAK7A 32 Infinity 32 MTF (modulation transfer function) Test Result Lens overall test results Shorten the lens focal length to 25mm according to customer requirements, and optimize the lens image quality to meet customer requirements. The test results of the newly processed lens are as follows. Assembly and take pictures The actual shot picture is as follows. Lens structure Lens Reverse Engineering Conclusion The process of lens reverse engineering outlined in this case study demonstrates the meticulous steps involved in recreating optical components to meet specific requirements. By combining customer samples, rigorous testing, and advanced design software, we can craft unique solutions even without the original blueprint. Throughout the journey, collaboration with the customer remains paramount. Their input and feedback guide the design process, ensuring that the final product aligns with their needs and expectations. Additionally, iterative testing and optimization guarantee that the lens meets the desired specifications, such as focal length, image quality, and eye relief distance. Ultimately, this case study exemplifies the value of reverse engineering in revitalizing discontinued products or enhancing existing technology. By leveraging reverse engineering techniques, manufacturers can breathe new life into legacy products and consistently address evolving customer demands in the optical industry. Please contact us if you’d like to request a quote on your next project. Related Content
The Germanium Optical Dome ensures optical clarity for drones by protecting optical instruments and maintaining their performance.
C-Lens manufacturing demands high-quality micro lenses with excellent surface quality and cost-effective production methods.