Abstract

The design, fabrication, and properties of one of a new class of gradient-index lenses are reported. The lens is an f/2.25 GRIN singlet based on a nanolayered polymer composite material, designed to correct for spherical aberration. The light gathering and focusing properties of the polymer lens are compared to a homogeneous BK7 glass singlet with a similar f-number. The modulation transfer function of the polymer GRIN lens exceeded that of the homogeneous glass lens at all spatial frequencies and was as much as 3 times better at 5 cyc/mm. The weight of the polymer lens was approximately an order of magnitude less than the homogeneous glass lens.

© 2008 Optical Society of America

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History
Original Manuscript: May 30, 2008
Manuscript Accepted: June 27, 2008
Revised Manuscript: June 27, 2008
Published: July 18, 2008

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Author Affiliations

A. R. Kamdar, Y. Jin, M. Ponting, T. Kazmierczak, Y. Yang, A. Hiltner, E. Baer

Case Western Reserve University

G. Beadie, James S. Shirk, A. Rosenberg, Paul A. Lane, E. Fleet

US Naval Research Laboratory

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