Kuulääts

Kuulääts is a Finnish term that translates to "ball lens" or "sphere lens." It refers to a type of optical lens that is a complete sphere or a segment of a sphere. These lenses are characterized by their uniform curvature across their entire surface.

The primary function of a kuulääts is to focus or diverge light. Due to their simple geometry, they can be relatively easy to manufacture. However, achieving high optical quality and minimizing aberrations can be challenging with simple ball lenses, especially when used in complex optical systems.

Kuulääts find applications in various optical devices. They are often used as beam expanders, collimators, or in fiber optic coupling where precise alignment and efficient light transmission are crucial. In some microscopy setups, they can be employed as simple objective lenses or condensers. Their spherical shape makes them suitable for applications requiring omnidirectional light manipulation.

The material used for a kuulääts can vary depending on the specific application and the wavelengths of light it needs to transmit. Common materials include glass, fused silica, and various plastics. The size of a kuulääts can range from microscopic to several centimeters in diameter. Despite their simple form, kuulääts play a role in the functionality of many optical instruments.