Can a Lens Create a Rainbow from a Broad Beam of Light?

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A lens can potentially create a rainbow from a broad beam of light, although traditional experiments typically use a thin beam of white light with a prism. The coherence of light is crucial for producing a spectrum, which may not be significantly affected by the beam's width. The discussion suggests that using a lens with high transverse chromatic aberration could achieve this effect, drawing on past experiences with lenses in hyperspectral imaging projects. The feasibility of this concept remains uncertain, particularly regarding the fixed distance from the lens. Overall, the exploration of lens design for rainbow creation from broad light beams presents intriguing possibilities.
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In standard experiment with prism, you can create a rainbow from a thin beam of white light. Is it possible to design a lens that will create a rainbow from a broad beam? Even if it is only at a fixed distance from the lens?
 
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I believe the purpose of the thin slit is to produce light which is coherent. As far as producing a spectrum with a prism is concerned, I don't think the width of the beam of light makes much of a difference, but the coherence is important.

I may be wrong the second point though.
 
notnow said:
In standard experiment with prism, you can create a rainbow from a thin beam of white light. Is it possible to design a lens that will create a rainbow from a broad beam? Even if it is only at a fixed distance from the lens?

I suppose- if you use a lens with huge amounts of transverse chromatic aberration. Three lifetimes ago, I was part of a pilot project to use a 'crappy' lens (large amounts of longitudinal chromatic aberration) to make a hyperspectral imager.
 

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