Composite Lens Chromatic Aberration Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Chromatic aberration in lenses causes image distortion, degrading visual acuity and image quality due to different wavelengths of light being focused at different locations, leading to longitudinal and transverse aberrations, which are not effectively addressed by existing techniques.

Innovation Solution

Designing composite lenses with a first sub-lens, a second sub-lens, and a material in between, where the shape, index of refraction, and Abbe number of the materials are selected to increase the overall effective Abbe value and reduce chromatic aberrations, by combining materials with differing Abbe numbers to counterbalance dispersion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional single-material lenses are used, then the lens structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but chromatic aberration occurs causing image distortion and degraded visual acuity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidlens structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lens is divided into multiple sub-lenses (first sub-lens, second sub-lens, etc.) with different materials and Abbe numbers. Each sub-lens segment handles specific wavelengths of light differently, allowing chromatic aberration correction while maintaining overall lens functionality. This segmentation enables the complex chromatic correction function to be achieved through coordinated action of simpler individual components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite lens construction with multiple materials having different Abbe numbers (e.g., high Abbe number material for first sub-lens, low Abbe number material for second sub-lens). This composite approach allows the lens system to correct chromatic aberration by exploiting the different dispersion properties of the materials, achieving superior image quality compared to single-material lenses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If chromatic aberration is not corrected, then the lens manufacturing process is simple, but longitudinal and transverse chromatic aberrations cause color fringes and reduced visual acuity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual acuityVSAvoidlens fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the lens (different sub-lenses) are assigned different material properties and optical functions. The first sub-lens uses high Abbe number material for certain wavelength ranges, while the second sub-lens uses low Abbe number material for other ranges. This local differentiation allows precise correction of chromatic aberration in specific areas without complicating the entire manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent systematically varies key optical parameters (Abbe number, refractive index, curvature radius) across different sub-lenses to correct chromatic aberration. By changing these parameters in a controlled manner across the lens structure, the invention achieves chromatic correction while maintaining manufacturability through standardized parameter sets for each sub-lens type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple sub-lenses with different Abbe numbers are combined, then chromatic aberration is reduced, but the lens design and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechromatic aberration correctionVSAvoidmulti-sub-lens structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The multiple sub-lenses are arranged in a nested or stacked configuration where each sub-lens is positioned within or adjacent to the others in a coordinated manner. This nesting approach allows the complex multi-material structure to be manufactured as an integrated unit or pre-assembled module, reducing the practical complexity despite the multiple components required for chromatic correction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution significantly reduces chromatic aberrations, improving image quality and visual acuity by optimizing the refractive index and Abbe number of the lens materials, resulting in lenses that correct chromatic aberration more effectively than traditional lenses.

Implementation Method 1

Chromatic aberration is caused by a lens having a different refractive index for different wavelengths of light (the dispersion of the lens).

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDispersion: Dispersion (of waves)

Implementation Method 2

A lens is a device usually formed from a piece of shaped glass or plastic that causes light to either converge and concentrate, or to diverge.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 3

combining materials with differing Abbe numbers to counterbalance dispersion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDispersion compensation: Dispersion (of waves)

Data Source

PatentUS8789943B2Methods and lenses for correction of chromatic aberration

Publication Date: 2014.07.29 ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL(COMPAGNIE GENERALE D OPTIQUE)

AI summary

The subject invention provides lenses, and methods for designing and manufacturing these lenses, with reduced chromatic aberration. Advantageously, these lenses are specifically designed to correct chromatic aberration that results as multichromatic light passes through the lenses.