UKA Optics, a manufacturer of specialty lenses explains that a new type of lens, the broadband achromatic lens has hit the market. In addition to featuring achromatic performance, it also provides telecentricity with fewer spherical elements needed. With modifications, the lens can be designed to cover a wide array of focal plane responses.
In a remote sensing application, broadband achromatic telescopes can typically perform the tasks with the inclusion of a mirror-based system. A mirror-based system is not feasible in all applications, though because there could be inherent geometry or size restrictions. There are also cost factors to consider including as the expense of aspheric surfaces.
With a non-obscured mirror system, researchers find it difficult to correctly align it and they find they have a limited field of view – more specifically it is one-dimensional. With centrally obscured systems, a two-dimensional image capture is possible, but there is also the issue of a limited field of vision and obscuration.
Advances in telecentricity means researchers are finding a more highly desirable technology with a matching spectrometer. This technology also provides a wider range of vision & reduction in the variation of angle of incidence. By rotating the symmetric telescope and by incorporating a spherical surface of selected glass types, a need has been filled that allows for better capture of range in short focal lengths. The broadband achromatic technology can be utilized as a compact front unit for a matched spectrometer or as an ultra-broadband camera objective lens.
This technology, installed in a camera and spectrometer system will be a valuable asset in remote sensing, in-situ applications for geological mapping, characterization of minerals, target detection and identification and ecological studies. In commercial settings this broadband achromatic lens system will be found in quality-control settings and will be used in spectral analysis.
Universe Kogaku designs and manufactures optical lenses for industrial, medical, high tech and electronic applications. Standard and custom lens assemblies are also available for scanners, CCTV, CCD/CMOS, medical imaging, surveillance systems, machine vision and night vision systems