Describing Image of a Bi-Concave Lens with n=1.5

  • Thread starter Thread starter fluidistic
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Image Lens
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a bi-concave lens with specific parameters, including radii and refractive index, and the task is to describe the image formed by an object of given height and distance from the lens. Participants are exploring the optics involved in thick lenses and the calculations necessary to determine image characteristics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to apply the lens formula for thick lenses and are discussing the significance of the refractive index. There are questions about the calculation of image distance and the use of principal planes. Some participants express uncertainty about the application of different methods, such as the ray transfer matrix method.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants sharing equations and clarifying concepts related to image formation in thick lenses. There is acknowledgment of the complexity involved, particularly regarding the definitions of object and image distances in relation to principal planes. Some guidance has been provided, but multiple interpretations and methods are still being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the challenge of finding resources specific to thick lenses and the importance of understanding the correct definitions and conventions in optics. There is also mention of an upcoming test, adding a layer of urgency to the discussion.

fluidistic
Gold Member
Messages
3,934
Reaction score
286

Homework Statement


A bi-concave lens (n=1.5) has radii of 20 cm and 10cm and a thickness of 5 cm. Describe the image of an object of 2.5 cm of height and situated at 8 cm from the first side of the lens.


Attempt:
[tex]\frac{1}{f}=(n-1) \left [ \frac{1}{R_1}-\frac{1}{R_2} + \frac{(n-1)d}{nR_1R_2} \right ][/tex]. After some arithmetics, [tex]f=-\frac{4}{3}[/tex].
So I know that the image is on the same side of the oject and according to my sketch is it smaller. I'm having a hart time figuring out how to calculate its distance from the lens.
I've been searching on the Internet but there are very few information for thick lens or I'm just blind that I don't find anything that could help me.
Once I have the place of the image, I can easily calculate the magnification and hence say how height is the image. But I'm stuck as how to calculate the distance between the image and the lens.
Thanks for any help.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Find the image distance formed by the first surface only by using the formula
1/do + μ/di = (μ - 1)/R1 ...(1)
In this problem, this image is virtual. This image becomes a real object inside the lens for the second surface. Its distance from the second surface is (di + 5). Using the same above equation you can write
μ/(di + 5) + 1/di' = ( μ - 1 )/R2 ...(2).
Solve for image distance formed by the second surface. Use the proper sign conventions.
 
rl.bhat said:
Find the image distance formed by the first surface only by using the formula
1/do + μ/di = (μ - 1)/R1 ...(1)
In this problem, this image is virtual. This image becomes a real object inside the lens for the second surface. Its distance from the second surface is (di + 5). Using the same above equation you can write
μ/(di + 5) + 1/di' = ( μ - 1 )/R2 ...(2).
Solve for image distance formed by the second surface. Use the proper sign conventions.
Thanks for the reply. Could you please tell me what does mu represent?
I know that for thick lenses there is an equivalent formula to [tex]\frac{1}{f}=\frac{1}{S_o}+\frac{1}{S_i}[/tex] though I don't know the exact one, which seems to be [tex]\frac{1}{S_o}+\frac{\mu}{S_i}[/tex] if I'm not misunderstanding you. Mu would be the refractive index of the lens?
Can I use the ray transfer matrix method? In any case I think I should locate the principal planes of the lens, but I don't know how to do so.
 
As you have guessed, mu is the refractive index of the lens.
The equations which I have used are for the refraction through the spherical surfaces. In the first case the object is in the air and the image is in the glass. This image acts as the object for the second surface with in the lens. The final image in in the air.
 
rl.bhat said:
As you have guessed, mu is the refractive index of the lens.
The equations which I have used are for the refraction through the spherical surfaces. In the first case the object is in the air and the image is in the glass. This image acts as the object for the second surface with in the lens. The final image in in the air.

Ok thank you, I understand now.
Just a little remark: I just looked in Hecht's book (page 273 if I remember well) and for thick lenses, he says that we can use the formula I posted in my first post or yours, but that [tex]S_o[/tex] is not the distance from the object to the vertex of the lens. Rather, it's the distance between the object and the first principal plane. The equation to find each principal planes are [tex]h_1=-\frac{f(n_l-1)d_l}{R_2 n_l}[/tex] and [tex]h_2=-\frac{f(n_l -1)d_l}{R_1n_l}[/tex], measured from the first and rear vertices respectively.
So we must first calculate the focus, which can be done with the formula I provided in the first post.
Using [tex]h_1[/tex] and [tex]h_2[/tex] we can calculate the position of the image with respect to the optical axis. Then the magnification... I'm not really sure. Something like [tex]-\frac{S_i}{S_o}[/tex] if my memory works well.

Now, maybe this method is an equivalent to yours. Tomorrow I'm having a test. Last course the "helper" of the class made a fool of me because I said that for thick lenses, [tex]S_o[/tex] is the distance between the object and the first vertex of the lens. Rather than helping me, he got pissed off by my ignorance. Not a good sign, he might be the one who corrects my test.

I just understood the matrix method. However I don't really see how it can calculate all the cardinal points of an optical system, like Hecht says. Rather I see how I can predict how an entering ray will leave the optical system, knowing its initial conditions and knowing what the system is made of. It doesn't seem really helpful, at least not as helpful as Hecht tends to say. Unless I'm misunderstanding what the method is all about.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K