How far apart do red and blue light converge in a spherical lens?

  • Level: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Haftred
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Aberration
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Start your own thread to ask a follow-up.
2 replies · 3K views
Haftred
Messages
53
Reaction score
0
What is the approximate difference in the points of convergence between red and blue light when using a spherical lens? Is it negligible (i.e. less than a millimeter)? Is it a specific distance or is it a function of a separate variable?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I'm not sure on an exact measurement, but I wouldn't call it negligible. If it were, camera lens manufacturers wouldn't employ the use of aspherical elements and low-dispersion glass.
 
Nothing more to add on Reed's comments, but it's definitely not negligible, and it's definitely measurable. The distance would be a function of lens geometry.