Hybrid refractive/diffractive achromatic camera lens
First Claim
1. A hybrid refractive and diffractive achromat lens operating in a visible spectral wavelength range at least 200 nm wide, which lens comprises a body of optically transmissive material having an index of refraction at a wavelength approximately in the center of said range of at least 1.45, said body having first and second surfaces on opposite sides thereof, at least one of said surfaces being curved to provide a refractive portion having power but which introduces chromatic aberration in the visible spectral range, said lens having a diffractive portion having a negative ν
- -number and sufficient optical power and provided by a diffractive surface having sufficient zone spacings d and heights h of echelons to substantially achromatize said lens for said chromatic aberration of said refractive portion over the visible spectral range from about 440 nm to about 650 nm.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hybrid refractive and diffractive achromatic lens suited for single-use or inexpensive single-lens cameras operating in visible spectral range. The lens comprises a body of optically transmissive material having an index of refraction at a wavelength approximately at the center of said range of at least 1.45. The lens body having a first and second surface on opposite sides thereof, at least one of said surfaces being curved to provide a refractive portion having power and introduces chromatic aberration, the lens having a diffractive portion having power which substantially achromatizes the lens for the chromatic aberration of the refraction portion over about 440 nm to about 650 nm range.
69 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A hybrid refractive and diffractive achromat lens operating in a visible spectral wavelength range at least 200 nm wide, which lens comprises a body of optically transmissive material having an index of refraction at a wavelength approximately in the center of said range of at least 1.45, said body having first and second surfaces on opposite sides thereof, at least one of said surfaces being curved to provide a refractive portion having power but which introduces chromatic aberration in the visible spectral range, said lens having a diffractive portion having a negative ν
- -number and sufficient optical power and provided by a diffractive surface having sufficient zone spacings d and heights h of echelons to substantially achromatize said lens for said chromatic aberration of said refractive portion over the visible spectral range from about 440 nm to about 650 nm.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 23, 24)
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17. A hybrid refractive and diffractive lens component for visible light camera applications, which lens component comprises a body of optically transmissive material having an index of refraction at a wavelength approximately in the center of said range of at least 1.45, said body having first and second surfaces on opposite sides thereof, said first and second surfaces being intersected successively by an optical axis of said lens which extends in a longitudinal direction, at least one of said surfaces being curved to provide a refractive element having power and longitudinal chromatic aberration, said lens having a diffractive portion having a negative ν
- -number, sufficient power and provided by a diffractive surface having sufficient zone spacings d and heights h of echelons to substantially achromatize said lens for said chromatic aberration of said refractive portion over at least the range 490 nm to 650 nm.
- View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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25. A hybride refractive and diffractive achromat lens operating in a visible spectral wavelength range at least 200 nm wide, which lens comprises a body of optically transmissive material having an index of refraction at a wavelength approximately in the center of said range of at least 1.45, said body having first and second surfaces on opposite sides thereof, at least one of said surfaces being curved to provide a refractive portion having power but which introduces chromatic aberration, said lens having a diffractive portion having a negative ν
- -number and sufficient optical power and provided by a diffractive surface having sufficient zone spacings d and heights h of echelons to substantially achromatize said lens for said chromatic aberration of said refractive portion over about 440 nm to about 650 nm and said lens is capable of operating at an F-number in a range of 5.6<
f/#<
12 and has a focal length f in the range of 15 mm<
f. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 29, 30, 31)
- -number and sufficient optical power and provided by a diffractive surface having sufficient zone spacings d and heights h of echelons to substantially achromatize said lens for said chromatic aberration of said refractive portion over about 440 nm to about 650 nm and said lens is capable of operating at an F-number in a range of 5.6<
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28. A lens according to claim 34, wherein said both surfaces are curved.
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32. A hybrid refractive and diffractive achromat lens suited for single use or inexpensive single lens cameras operating in a visible spectral wavelength range at least 200 nm wide, which lens being a single lens component which comprises a body of optically transmissive material having an index of refraction at a wavelength approximately in the center of said range of at least 1.45, said body having first and second surfaces on opposite sides thereof, at least one of said surfaces being curved to provide a refractive portion having power but which introduces chromatic aberration, said lens having a diffractive portion having a negative ν
- -number and sufficient optical power and provided by a diffractive surface having sufficient zone spacings d and heights h of echelons to substantially achromatize said lens for said chromatic aberration of said refractive portion over about 490 nm to about 650 nm, and said lens is capable of operating at an F-number in a range of 5.6 <
f/#<
12 and has a focal length f in the range of 15 mm<
f.
- -number and sufficient optical power and provided by a diffractive surface having sufficient zone spacings d and heights h of echelons to substantially achromatize said lens for said chromatic aberration of said refractive portion over about 490 nm to about 650 nm, and said lens is capable of operating at an F-number in a range of 5.6 <
Specification