Does Lens Design for CMOS Cameras Require Knowledge of Wave Optics?

[bobfei]

Hello,

I would like to ask a question on lens design.

My goal is to design a lens for CMOS cameras and the objective is:

1. shooting things at 2cm near
2. magnification ratio is about 1/2
3. completely monochromatic

I was wondering does designing lens like this involve any knowledge on theoretical optics (wave optics, nature of light, Maxwell Equation, planar wave...)? Lens existed at least from the time of Newton (born 1642) for over 200 years until Maxwell published his work, so I guess practical lens design only involves geometric optics?

However, I am fairly ignorant of the advances in optics in the 20th century (like laser) so it is probably there are lots of lens design techniques which relies on a deep theoretical understanding of the field?

Nevertheless, what seems most likely to me is that designing a lens of the requirements above should not require too much theory in optics, but only geometric manipulation?

Could anyone help me with these questions?Bob

 

[Achy47]

,

Thank you for your question. Designing a lens for CMOS cameras does involve knowledge of theoretical optics, specifically in the areas of wave optics, nature of light, and Maxwell's equations. While lenses have been used for centuries, advancements in technology and our understanding of light have greatly improved lens design.

In order to design a lens for your specific goal, there are a few key factors to consider. The first is the focal length of the lens, which will determine the distance at which the object will appear in focus. The second is the aperture, which controls the amount of light that enters the lens and affects the depth of field. The third is the refractive index of the lens material, which determines how much the light will bend as it passes through the lens.

In order to achieve a magnification ratio of 1/2, the lens will need to have a certain combination of focal length, aperture, and refractive index. This is where a deep understanding of theoretical optics comes into play. By using equations and principles from wave optics and Maxwell's equations, we can determine the optimal design for the lens.

Additionally, designing a completely monochromatic lens will also require a theoretical understanding of optics. This means that the lens will need to be able to focus light of a specific wavelength, which can be achieved through precise control of the lens's curvature and refractive index.

While geometric optics may be used in the initial design and testing of the lens, a deeper understanding of theoretical optics is crucial for achieving the desired specifications and optimizing the lens's performance.

I hope this helps answer your questions. Please let me know if you have any further inquiries. Best of luck with your lens design!