Focus depth characteristics of lenses with long focal depth designed by a focal depth function

Abstract

The validity of a focal length function is investigated in designing optical element with long focal depth and high lateral resolution. The designed lenses with different starting focal length are studied. Two focusing performance measures, focal depth and lateral resolution, are presented. Comparing with the conventional lens and optical element designed by other focal length function, numerical results of the designed optics element indicate that the long focal depth and high lateral resolution are achieved. The validity of the focal length function is confirmed. Meanwhile, the designed optical element is similar with the lens with spherical aberration. It means that one can easily implement long focal depth by applying appropriate phase modulation to a lens with spherical aberration.