Abstract

There are a number of optical systems for which the power or magnification in one meridian is different from that of the other meridian. Lenses with cylindrical surfaces are used to achieve this effect, but it is difficult to fabricate such components with close tolerances. The introduction of inhomogeneous lenses in which the index profile is anamorphic produces the same effect and also eliminates the need for non- spherical surfaces. Fewer components are necessary to achieve performance comparable to that of a homogeneous system, since there are additional degrees of freedom associated with the index of refraction profile.

© 1981 Optical Society of America