Aberration correction of a single aspheric lens with particle swarm algorithm

Abstract In order to design a single aspheric lens to meet the requirements of spherical aberration, the particle swarm algorithm is applied to the aberration correction for a single aspheric lens. A mathematical model is constructed, and a program code is developed. Merit functions in an optical system are employed as fitness functions, which combined coefficients of a higher order polynomial equation, a reciprocal of radius of curvature, the conic constant, thicknesses among lens surfaces and refractive indices regarding an optical system. By using this function, the automatic correction of spherical aberration is carried out. The example for a single aspheric lens design using particle swarm algorithm shows that PSO as a tool of the spherical aberration correction for a single aspheric lens is simple and effective, and easy to find a series of good design results. The asphere's more complex surface profile can reduce or eliminate easily spherical aberration at different incidence heights at one time. The automatic design and analysis of a single aspheric lens using this method from the view of a particular optical design problem are presented.