Quasi-powers and primary aberrations of thin lenses in contact

Journal Article (2026)
Author(s)

Florian Bociort (TU Delft - Applied Sciences)

Research Group
ImPhys/Bociort group
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1051/jeos/2026025 Final published version
More Info
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Publication Year
2026
Language
English
Research Group
ImPhys/Bociort group
Journal title
Journal of the European Optical Society-Rapid Publications
Issue number
1
Volume number
22
Article number
30
Page Views
31
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Abstract

This paper introduces a novel framework for analysing the aberrations of thin lenses, based on the concept of surface quasi-power. Using these surface variables, remarkably simple expressions have been derived for all primary aberrations of systems of thin lenses in contact. Apart from a constant term, primary aberrations become essentially sums of powers of the new variables. When the emphasis is on qualitative properties rather than on quantitative ones, then even in complex optical systems groups of lenses can be modelled as thin lenses in contact. Especially for spherical aberration, the simplicity of the new formalism helps explaining significant properties of the lens design landscape.