Air-Spaced Achromatic Doublet Lens
Air-spaced achromatic doublet lenses separate two matched optical elements with a precisely controlled gap. This additional design variable supports optimized chromatic correction, spherical aberration, focal performance and broadband image quality without optical cement between the elements.
Air-Spaced Achromatic Doublet Lens Overview
Air-spaced achromatic doublet lenses are precision two-element optical systems designed to reduce chromatic aberration while providing greater design flexibility than conventional cemented doublets.
The two elements are separated by a controlled air gap, allowing the optical designer to optimize chromatic correction, spherical aberration, focal performance and broadband image quality.
Chenyu Optics manufactures custom designs in optical glass and fused silica with customized diameter, focal length, curvature, material combination, element thickness, air-gap spacing and AR coating.
Key Advantages of Air-Spaced Achromatic Doublet Lens
Broadband Imaging & Spectroscopy
Controlled element spacing provides an additional design variable for corrected focusing and stable image quality across the specified wavelength range.
Typical Specifications of Air-Spaced Achromatic Doublet Lens
| Material Options | Optical Glass / Fused Silica |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Air-Spaced Achromatic Doublet Lens |
| Optical Design | Two-Element Air-Spaced Doublet |
| Number of Elements | 2 |
| Optical Function | Imaging / Focusing / Collimation |
| Design Wavelength Range | Customized |
| Diameter | Customized |
| Effective Focal Length | Customized |
| Back Focal Length | Customized |
| Radius of Curvature | Customized |
| Air Gap | Customized |
| Element Thickness | Customized |
| Material Combination | Customized |
| Surface Accuracy | Customized |
| Surface Quality | 20-10 / 40-20 Scratch-Dig |
| Centration | Customized |
| Coating | AR / Broadband AR |
Air-Spaced Achromatic Doublet Lens Structure
Why Choose Chenyu Optics for Air-Spaced Achromatic Doublet Lens
Chenyu Optics supports custom air-spaced achromatic doublet lens development for imaging, laser, spectroscopy, machine vision and scientific instruments, from optical review through repeat production.
Manufacturing Capability for Air-Spaced Achromatic Doublet Lens
Precision Optical Polishing
Controlled optical glass and fused silica processing for custom radii, element thicknesses, surface accuracy and surface quality.
AR & Broadband Coating
Antireflection coatings optimized for the material combination, wavelength range, angle of incidence, polarization and system requirements.
Air-Gap Assembly & Inspection
Precision spacer control, centration, tilt and mechanical assembly followed by dimensional and optical inspection.
Custom Manufacturing Options for Air-Spaced Achromatic Doublet Lens
Focal Length & Geometry
Diameter, effective focal length, back focal length, radii and element thicknesses can be designed to specification.
Air Gap & Assembly
Air gap, spacer design, centration, tilt and mechanical mounting can be controlled for the required optical performance.
Material & Coating
Optical glass and fused silica combinations are available with AR, broadband AR and custom coating designs.
Air-Spaced Achromatic Doublet Lens Material Comparison
| Optical Glass | Fused Silica | Selection Consideration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design Role | Broad refractive-index and dispersion choices for achromatic correction | High transmission, thermal stability and low absorption | The pair must be evaluated as one optical design |
| Spectral Range | Grade dependent, including visible and near-infrared options | Suitable for UV, visible and near-infrared designs as specified | Both elements and the coating must support the complete operating band |
| Air-Spaced Assembly | Precision spacer and mount maintain the designed separation | Thermal and mechanical behavior must be considered | Air gap, centration and tilt require controlled assembly |
| Required Inputs | Wavelength, focal length and imaging requirements | Temperature range, laser conditions and permitted material families | An optical prescription or complete system requirements improve selection |
Air-Spaced vs. Cemented Achromatic Doublet Lens
| Air-Spaced Achromatic Doublet Lens | Cemented Achromatic Doublet | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Chromatic correction with an adjustable spacing design variable | Chromatic correction in a compact bonded assembly |
| Elements | Two separate matched optical elements | Two optical elements bonded with optical cement |
| Element Spacing | Controlled by an air gap and mechanical spacer | Fixed by the cemented interface |
| Custom Parameters | Material pair, curvatures, thicknesses, air gap, mounting and coating | Material pair, curvatures, thicknesses, cement and coating |
Applications of Air-Spaced Achromatic Doublet Lens
Imaging Systems
Broadband color correction for precision imaging assemblies.
Laser Optical Systems
Precision focusing and collimation without cement between the elements.
Spectroscopy
Corrected focusing across specified broadband spectral ranges.
Machine Vision
Stable color-corrected imaging for industrial inspection systems.
Optical Measurement
Controlled focal performance for precision measurement equipment.
Scientific Instruments
Custom air-spaced optics for laboratory and research instruments.
Air-Spaced Achromatic Doublet Lens FAQ
What is an air-spaced achromatic doublet lens?
It is a two-element optical system in which the lens elements are separated by a controlled air gap and designed together to reduce chromatic aberration across a specified wavelength range.
How is an air-spaced doublet different from a cemented doublet?
A cemented doublet bonds the two elements together, while an air-spaced doublet maintains a controlled gap between them. The air gap provides an additional design parameter for optimizing optical performance.
Why use an air gap between the two lenses?
The air gap provides additional flexibility for correcting chromatic and other optical aberrations while allowing the two elements to remain physically separated.
Can the air gap and focal length be customized?
Yes. Chenyu Optics can customize the air gap, focal length, diameter, curvatures, element thicknesses and material combination according to the optical design.
Are broadband AR coatings available?
Yes. AR and broadband AR coatings can be customized according to the required wavelength range and optical system.
What information should I provide for a quotation?
Please provide the wavelength range, diameter, EFL, BFL if required, material combination, air gap, optical prescription or radii, element thicknesses, clear aperture, surface specifications, centration, coating, mechanical mounting, imaging requirements and quantity.
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Need Custom Air-Spaced Achromatic Doublet Lenses?
Please provide the wavelength range, diameter, effective focal length, back focal length if required, material combination, air gap, optical prescription or radii, element thicknesses, clear aperture, surface specifications, centration, coating, mechanical mounting, imaging requirements and quantity.