Verbundlinsen

Verbundlinsen, also known as compound lenses, are optical systems composed of two or more individual lens elements. These elements are typically cemented or mounted together to act as a single unit. The primary purpose of using a Verbundlinse is to correct optical aberrations that cannot be adequately corrected by a single lens element. Common aberrations addressed by compound lenses include chromatic aberration, spherical aberration, and astigmatism.

Chromatic aberration arises because a single lens refracts different wavelengths of light at slightly different angles, leading to color fringing. By combining lenses made from different types of glass with varying refractive indices and dispersion properties, such as an achromat or apochromat, this effect can be minimized or eliminated. Spherical aberration occurs when light rays passing through the edges of a spherical lens are focused at a different point than those passing through the center. Using multiple elements with specifically calculated curvatures helps to bring these rays to a common focal point.

The design of a Verbundlinse involves carefully selecting the shape, material, and arrangement of each individual element. This precise engineering allows for improved image quality, sharper focus, and reduced distortion, making them essential components in a wide range of optical instruments, including telescopes, microscopes, cameras, and ophthalmic lenses. The overall optical performance of the compound lens is a result of the synergistic interaction between its constituent elements.