The cross-section of a cylindrical lens is a cylindrical shape with two arcs or one arc and one line. Cylindrical lenses have different radii on the X and Y axes, therefore they have a cylindrical or semi cylindrical shape. So what is the difference between cylindrical lens and convex lens imaging?
1、 Optical properties and imaging effects
Cylindrical lens: Its optical properties are mainly reflected in the focusing effect on the beam of light, but it can only focus the beam in one direction, forming a focal line rather than a focal point. When light is incident parallel to the cylindrical axis, the lens does not change the direction of light propagation in that direction; When the light is incident perpendicular to the cylindrical axis, the lens will form a focal point or virtual focal point at a certain distance, depending on whether the lens is a convex or concave cylindrical surface.
Convex lens: It magnifies the image as a whole, resulting in an inverted or reduced real image, an inverted or equal sized real image, an inverted or enlarged real image, or an upright or enlarged virtual image. Convex lenses have a converging effect on light, with thin edges and thick middle. At least one surface must be made spherical, or both sides can be made spherical.
2、 Application scenarios
Cylindrical lens: used for linear imaging or aspherical correction, such as guiding or focusing linear beams in laser systems, or correcting aberrations such as astigmatism.
Convex lens: It is used in various optical instruments, such as microscopes, telescopes, etc., to correct parallax, adjust optical path, increase viewing angle, and focus light.
3、 Imaging pattern
Cylindrical lens: mainly reflected in the relationship between object distance (distance from object to lens) and image distance (distance from image to lens). When an object is within one focal length of a lens, the image formed by a cylindrical lens is an upright and magnified virtual image; When the object is outside the focal length of the lens, the image formed by the cylindrical lens is an inverted and reduced real image.
Convex lens: Its imaging pattern is more complex, involving multiple imaging methods and changes in imaging distance.
The above is an answer to the difference between cylindrical lens and convex lens imaging. We hope it is helpful to you. If you have any questions, please feel free to consult or leave a message online.
