Understand Cylindrical Lens Imaging & Refs

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  Mar 27,

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  Cylindrical Lens

In summary: If you're looking for a circular image of a distant object, a cylindrical lens will produce that image. However, the image will be elongated, as the cylindrical lens is focused at a distance rather than point-like.

• Mar 27,

• #1

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can anyone help me in understanding the concept of a cylindrical lens ?
how is the imaging by a cylindrical lens different from that of a sphericaL lens?
how does one decide to use a particular lens or a system of lenses for image formation?
please suggest some good reference for this ..
thanx

 

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• Mar 27,

• #2

Dadface

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Cylindrical lenses are mainly used for demonstration/experimental purposes because they stand easily on the bench with no support and they demonstrate lens action in one plane.Apart from spectacle lenses to correct astigmatism I cannot think of any other uses for them.

 

• Mar 27,

• #3

Andy Resnick

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Cylindrical lenses will only form an image in one axis. However, cylindrical lenses are used a lot to do things like correct astigmatism, circularize diode laser beams, and image spectrographic entrance slits. I think they are also used in anamorphic lens setups as well. More exotically, two crossed cylindrical lenses can be used to give independent magnifications in orthogonal directions.

 

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• Mar 28,

• #4

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Thanks for the replies.
I am interested in perhaps some sort of a point wise distinction between the cylindrical and spherical lens imaging. A ray diagram to discuss one point would also suffice. I am constantly surfing through the internet and the book shelves for some help of this kind but I'm not getting it anywhere.
If you could elaborate the circularization of diode laser beams using cylndrical lens , or say provide a reference for it, I would be really grateful.

keeping everything aside , how can I explain the reason of picking up a cylindrical lens in an arbitrary system in place of any other lens , to an armature in this field?

 

• Mar 28,

• #5

Andy Resnick

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http://www.rp-photonics.com/fiber_coupled_diode_lasers.html

I don't exactly understand your last sentence- do you mean an amateur? Cylindrical lenses cannot simply replace spherical lenses, they have very specific applications.

I don't exactly understand your last sentence- do you mean an amateur? Cylindrical lenses cannot simply replace spherical lenses, they have very specific applications.

 

• Mar 30,

• #6

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I'm sorry, I meant that only ..

thanx for the help ... I'm finding it really useful.
could you also help me resolve this- consider a situation where one converges light from a long distance using some optics and obtains a circular spot(more or less) of a certain dia, now if cylindrical lens is put in its path, what is expected to be obtained?
considering the characteristic property of a cyl lens to be focusing along one axis ,does it mean that there will be an elongated oval image of this circular spot at the focus?

 

• Mar 30,

• #7

Andy Resnick

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If the source is at infinity, at the focal plane of the cylindrical lens there will be a line (or something that looks like a line). The cross-section of the line will approximate a slice through an Airy disc.

 

• Mar 31,

• #8

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thank you for the help.

 

FAQ: Understand Cylindrical Lens Imaging & Refs

What is a cylindrical lens?

A cylindrical lens is a type of lens that has a curved surface in only one direction, creating a cylindrical shape. It is commonly used in optics for producing a line focus rather than a point focus.

How does a cylindrical lens create an image?

A cylindrical lens creates an image by altering the path of light rays passing through it. The curved surface of the lens causes the light rays to converge or diverge in a specific direction, creating a magnified or reduced image of the object being viewed.

What is the difference between a cylindrical lens and a regular lens?

The main difference between a cylindrical lens and a regular lens is the shape of their surfaces. While a regular lens has a spherical shape, a cylindrical lens has a cylindrical shape. This difference allows a cylindrical lens to produce a line focus rather than a point focus.

How is cylindrical lens imaging used in research and industries?

Cylindrical lens imaging is used in various research and industrial applications, including optical microscopy, laser cutting, and barcode scanning. It is also commonly used in the medical field for imaging and diagnosing eye conditions.

Are there any limitations to cylindrical lens imaging?

One limitation of cylindrical lens imaging is that it can only produce a one-dimensional image, unlike regular lenses which can produce two-dimensional images. Additionally, the curved surface of a cylindrical lens can cause distortions in the image, so it is important to carefully align and position the lens for optimal imaging.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website cylindrical optics for beam shaping.