Fresnel Lens Brochure
Fresnel Lens Brochure
Fresnel Lens Brochure
Materials
Our standard materials for visible light applications are
acrylic, polycarbonate and rigid vinyl. These materials are
suitable for some near infrared applications as well, as dis-
correct (grooves “out”) cussed later in this brochure. Figure 9 shows useful transmis-
sion ranges for a variety of plastics materials. Materials
suitable for infrared applications are described in detail in
our POLY IR® brochure.
The first step in choosing a material is to match the mate-
rial to the spectral domain of the application. Other consid-
erations include thickness, rigidity, service temperature,
weatherability, and other physical properties listed in the
table of properties on the next page.
Acrylic
reversed (grooves “out” Optical quality acrylic is the most widely applicable mate-
turned grooves “in”) rial, and is a good general-purpose material in the visible. Its
transmittance is nearly flat and almost 92% from the ultravi-
Figure 7 Illustration of the strong asymmetry of the aspheric olet to the near infrared; acrylic may additionally be speci-
Fresnel lens. The illustrated lens is correct for the fied to be UV transmitting (UVT acrylic) or UV filtering (UVF
grooves facing the longer conjugate (grooves acrylic). The transmittance of our standard acrylic materials
“out”). When it is turned around so that the between 0.2 µm and 2.2 µm is shown in Figure 10 for a
grooves face the shorter conjugate (grooves “out” thickness of 1/8" (3.2 mm). Standard acrylic thicknesses are
turned grooves “in”), on-axis performance suffers. 0.060" (1.5 mm), 0.090" (2.3 mm), and 0.125" (3.2 mm).
As discussed in the text, however, in the case
where the grooves must face the shorter conjugate, Rigid vinyl
a grooves “out” lens turned grooves “in” has some Rigid vinyl has a number of characteristics which make it
advantages over a lens correct for grooves “in.” both affordable and very suitable for certain applications. It
has a high index of refraction; it is reasonably inexpensive;
and it can be die-cut. However, polycarbonate has very sim-
ilar properties, without the problems associated with rigid
vinyl, and its use is encouraged over that of rigid vinyl in
new applications. Rigid vinyl has about the same tempera-
ture range as acrylic and is naturally fire-retardant. The trans-
mittance of rigid vinyl between 0.2 µm and 2.5 µm is shown
in Figure 11 for a nominal thickness of 0.030" (0.76 mm).
Standard thicknesses for rigid vinyl are 0.010" (0.25 mm),
0.015" (0.38 mm), 0.020" (0.51 mm), and 0.030" (0.76 mm).
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is spectrally similar to acrylic, but is useful at
higher temperatures and has a very high impact resistance.
Figure 8 Aspheric Fresnel lens correct for the grooves facing The transmittance of polycarbonate between 0.2 µm and
the shorter conjugate (grooves “in”). 2.2 µm is shown in Figure 12 for a nominal thickness of 1/8"
© Copyright Fresnel Technologies, Inc. 1996-2014 5
UVT acrylic
polycarbonate
rigid vinyl
UVF acrylic
POLY IR® 6
POLY IR® 5
POLY IR® 4 ,7
POLY IR® 3
200 nm 400 nm 750 nm 1 µm 3 µm 10 µm 30 µm 40 µm
100
Index of 60
1.49 1.54 1.586 General-purpose acrylic
refraction Ultraviolet-transmitting acrylic
40
Tensile
modulus 325—470 350—600 345 20
(103 PSI)
0
Flexural
0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0
modulus 390—470 300—500 340
Wavelength (µm)
(103 PSI)
M80–M100 D65–85 M70–M72 Figure 10 Transmittance of general purpose acrylic and ul-
Hardness traviolet transmitting acrylic as a function of wave-
(Rockwell) (Shore) (Rockwell)
length. Sample thickness =1/8" (3.2 mm) nominal.
Thermal
expansion 76 76 68
(10–6/°C) 100
Service 80
Transmittance (%)
80 70 120
temp., °C
60
Specific
1.19 1.45 1.20 40
gravity
Effect of 20
none yellows yellows slowly
sunlight
0
Physical properties of some materials available from Fresnel
Technologies, Inc. 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5
Wavelength (µm)
Collector
Focusing a collimated beam of light at a point is another
popular use of Fresnel lenses, and one for which Fresnel
lenses are at least adequate. Again, the grooved side toward
the infinite conjugate is the optically preferred configura-
tion. Because the collimated beam is assumed to be uni-
form, there is a substantial loss through the lens in this case
for marginal rays. The loss is caused by the increasing angles
of incidence and emergence as the margin of the lens is
approached. It can be predicted using Fresnel’s equations,
which describe the reflection and transmission of light at an
interface between media of differing refractive index. The
loss due to reflection is graphed as a function of the angle
between the incident ray and the (plane) interface in
Figure 14.
There are two additional losses which must be considered
in demanding applications. One is due to the unavoidable
width of the vertical step between grooves. This loss is gen-
erally reasonably small in well-made Fresnel lenses, but
light scattered from the step brightens the focal plane and
thereby reduces the contrast of an image.
The other loss is due to shadowing and blocking effects
Figure 13 The three typical configurations for producing a caused by the vertical step. This loss does not exist for rays
collimated beam of light: lens only, mirror only, parallel to the optical axis striking grooves “in” lenses, but is
and a combination of lens and mirror. present in all other cases. For rays making a large angle (20°
© Copyright Fresnel Technologies, Inc. 1996-2014 7
or greater) with the optical axis, it can be the most signifi-
cant loss. Furthermore, blocked rays are also likely to
100
increase the overall brightness of the focal plane.
These losses must be evaluated by considering in detail
80
the geometry of the lens and its relationship to the focal
Reflection (%)
plane and the incoming rays. Fresnel Technologies, Inc. has
60
had substantial experience in solving problems of this sort,
and invites your inquiries.
40
Condenser
20
This application usually demands a lens designed for finite
conjugates, although it is often optically so undemanding
0
that a lens made for conjugates of the focal length and infin-
ity will work as well. It calls for focusing a light source 0 20 40 60 80
within a projection lens. Typical examples include overhead Angle of incidence (degrees)
projector lenses and the condensers of slide projectors. The
lamps usually have large filaments, and the projection lenses Figure 14 Loss due to reflection as a function of the angle of
are large as well. Occasionally, in order to make the fila- incidence. The angle shown is that between the in-
ment structure less obvious in the projected image, the con- cident ray and the normal to the surface. The losses
denser lens will even be frosted. shown are for unpolarized light, and are obtained
The optical designer may sometimes be called upon to by incoherently averaging the losses for light polar-
use a condenser lens which is impractically “fast” – that is, ized parallel to and perpendicular to the plane of
its diameter is greater than twice its focal length (< f /0.5). In incidence.
this case, it is possible to pair two Fresnel lenses, grooves
together, to form a two-lens element with a focal length magnification). If the lens is large enough for the object to be
equal to the geometric mean of the two focal lengths used in viewed with both eyes, the view is stereoscopic.
the pair. The lenses in this pair must individually be correct Magnifiers are used to form an image larger than the nor-
for conjugates of their focal length and infinity, with the infi- mal image of an object on the retina of the eye. The largest
nite conjugate on the grooved side. Extreme care must be sharp retinal image for the unaided eye is formed when the
taken to ensure that the lenses have exactly the same groove object is at a distance of 25 cm from the eye; for most peo-
density and that they are well centered with respect to each ple, this is the distance of most distinct vision. Placing a
other, or moiré patterns will degrade the function of the magnifier between the object and the eye permits the object
combined lens. The paired Fresnel lens will always be cor- to be moved closer to the eye, and the eye is able to focus
rect for finite conjugates, and the conjugates will simply be on the virtual image formed, preferably, at the distance of
the focal lengths of the individual lenses. The focal lengths most distinct vision. The angular magnification, M, is the
need not be equal, so that conjugate ratios other than 1:1 ratio of the angle θ' subtended by the image to the angle θ
are easily achieved. It is impossible, however, for the paired subtended by the object. From the thin lens equation,
lenses to be correct for conjugates of the focal length and
θ' 250mm
infinity; that would require that one “lens” be simply a M = ---- = -------------------- + 1 ,
θ f
plano–plano sheet.
where f is the lens’ focal length. This is usually taken as
Field lenses (Fresnel screen “brighteners”)
θ' 250mm
A Fresnel lens can be used to redirect the light at the edges M = ---- = -------------------- ,
θ f
of a frosted rear-projection display screen toward the
viewer’s eyes, thus eliminating the “hot spot” often observed true for a virtual image at infinity. A magnifier with a focal
in such screens by brightening the edges of the display. length of 50 mm will then have a power of 5X.
Screens of this type include camera focusing screens. The Because they can be made large, Fresnel lenses are gen-
grooves must face the light source in this application; the erally used to magnify objects slightly, perhaps as little as
grooves often must therefore face the shorter conjugate, an 1.2 or 1.5X. One usually expects to see the entire object at
exception to the usual rule. once within the Fresnel lens, so that the lens must then be
Conjugates for the field lens should be the distance from 1.2 or 1.5 times the size of the object in both length and
the projector lens on the grooved side, and the distance to width.
the viewer on the frosted side. Fresnel Technologies, Inc. can Please observe caution when using a Fresnel lens as a
supply suitable lenses with the plano side either optically magnifier around strong light sources, lasers, and in sun-
polished or frosted. light.
Magnifiers Imaging
An aspheric lens is an ideal magnifier from several points of Fresnel Technologies, Inc. does not generally recommend its
view. When used at its conjugates, there is no distortion of Fresnel lenses for image formation in the visible region of
the image (a rectangular grid remains a rectangular grid after the spectrum, but there are some important exceptions.
© Copyright Fresnel Technologies, Inc. 1996-2014 8
Imaging generally demands some substantial field of view, though reflectors and nonimaging concentrators are often
or the image is uninteresting. With simple plano-convex superior. However, Fresnel Technologies, Inc. does not man-
lenses, coma degrades the image only a degree or so off ufacture any Fresnel lenses with uniform energy distribution
axis. Chromatic aberration blurs the image as well. As in over typical photovoltaic cell areas; our products all have a
camera or copy lenses, the faster the lens (the smaller the f– damaging “hot spot” in the focal plane. We therefore do not
number), the worse the problem becomes – and the small f– recommend our own products for this application; neither
numbers of Fresnel lenses are very tempting. do we manufacture mirrors or nonimaging collectors useful
The important exceptions include two cases: rays pre- for solar devices.
cisely parallel to the axis of the lens (laser rangefinder, for Please use caution with our Fresnel lenses in sunlight. The
example) and imaging onto a large detector (for instance, a sun's image can easily ignite flammable materials quickly,
pyroelectric detector or a thermopile). and can damage materials which are not flammable. These
Imaging can be treated as a generalization of collection. cautions particularly apply to clothing, skin, and eyes, in
both sunlight and laser light.
Near-infrared applications
All of the above applications remain relevant into the near Special Optics
infrared, and the preferred materials (acrylic, polycarbonate, Fresnel Technologies, Inc. offers several types of optical ele-
and rigid vinyl) from the visible region can be used to about ments related to Fresnel lenses. These include:
1.3 µm without difficulty. The refractive index of each of
these materials is slightly lower there, but our plastics are Cylindrical Fresnel lenses
not strongly dispersive. A cylindrical Fresnel lens is a collapsed version of a conven-
tional cylindrical lens. These lenses can be used in any
Process monitoring at 3.4 µm application which requires focusing in only one dimension
All hydrocarbons – solids, liquids, and gases – exhibit a of the focal plane. In some cases, two separate cylindrical
strong absorption of 3.4 µm radiation. (3.4 µm is the wave- lenses may be combined to obtain different focal properties
length of the C–H stretch.) POLY IR® 5 is specially formu- in the x and y dimensions of the focal plane; these configu-
lated to contain no hydrogen, and is thus free of the C–H rations are representative of one type of anamorphic optic. A
stretch absorption. It can be used to monitor hydrocarbons variety of cylindrical Fresnel lenses is available, with typical
in a wide variety of applications: uses have ranged from f –numbers between f /1 and f /2. Both positive and negative
methane monitoring above landfills to process control on focal lengths are available.
production lines.
Fresnel prism (array of prisms)
Passive infrared applications A Fresnel array of prisms is made up of many small prisms,
The collection of infrared radiation emitted by humans and each with the same vertex angles as the large prism mim-
other warm-blooded animals has become a major applica- icked by the array. This type of array allows the redirection of
tion area for Fresnel lenses. This application requires that the light with the advantage of constant transmission over the
lenses be transparent between approximately the wave- entire array, instead of the varying losses of a comparably
lengths of 8 µm and 14 µm, the region of maximum contrast capable conventional prism. The lack of bulk may also be
betwen warm bodies and typical backgrounds. used to advantage when redirection of light is required and
Passive infrared applications are discussed in our bro- space is limited. Not all the incident light emerges on the
chure on POLY IR® infrared-transmitting materials, and in other side of the array, because some undergoes multiple
the notes accompanying our passive infrared lens array data reflections or refractions at various surfaces, or is totally
sheets. internally reflected. For our item #400, a collimated beam of
light incident on the smooth side is tilted by 20°. The angle
Thermometry of minimum deviation, as defined in optics texts, is 15°.
Optical pyrometry can be extended toward infrared wave-
lengths (and therefore lower temperatures) with appropriate Hexagonal lens arrays
sensors and optics. Fresnel lenses made from our POLY IR® We manufacture two types of lens arrays with closely-
infrared-transmitting materials are used with a variety of packed hexagonal lenslets: those with conventional lenslets
bolometers and thermopiles. Our POLY IR® 1 and 2 materi- and those with Fresnel lenslets. Fresnel lenslets are appropri-
als are most appropriate for higher temperatures (shorter ate for larger apertures and shorter focal lengths, where the
wavelengths); they can be used for lower-temperature appli- thickness and weight of conventional lenslets would be pro-
cations as well. Our POLY IR® 4 material is also useful hibitive.
there, particularly in white. Please refer to our POLY IR®
infrared-transmitting materials brochure for more informa- Rectangular lens arrays
tion. All of our catalogued rectangular lens arrays are arrays of
Fresnel lenses, and they are all actually square arrays. We
Solar Energy Collection offer some types correct for the infinite conjugate on the
Fresnel lenses have often been used as concentrators for smooth side, as well as the more usual circumstance of the
photovoltaic cells or arrays of cells in solar energy devices. infinite conjugate on the grooved side. All are made using
We can certainly recommend them for this application, Fresnel lenses with aspherically contoured groove surfaces
© Copyright Fresnel Technologies, Inc. 1996-2014 9
and constant groove depths. Rectangular lens arrays can be Lighthouse lens illustration (Figure 3) created with Canvas
used to illuminate an area evenly with a matching array of 3.5, courtesy Deneba Software, Miami, Florida, USA and
light emitting diodes, or to track motion via an array of pho- the St Augustine Lighthouse and Museum, St Augustine,
todiodes. They can be cut into strips to form linear arrays. Florida, USA.
The lens’ cylindrical axis is aligned along the second (longer) dimension
72 0.25 6.4 0.25 x 6 6.4 x 152 0.5 x 6 12.7 x 152 0.06 1.5 200 8 ∞ 0.25
72.1 0.25 6.4 0.25 x 11.88 6.4 x 302 0.5 x 11.88 12.7 x 302 0.06 1.5 200 8 ∞ 0.25
73 0.38 9.6 0.38 x 5.95 9.6 x 151 0.65 x 5.95 17 x 151 0.06 1.5 200 8 ∞ 0.38
73.1 0.38 9.6 0.38 x 11.94 9.6 x 303 0.65 x 11.94 17 x 303 0.06 1.5 200 8 ∞ 0.38
74 0.5 12.7 0.5 x 5.95 12.7 x 151 0.75 x 5.95 19 x 151 0.06 1.5 200 8 ∞ 0.5
76 0.75 19 0.75 x 11.9 19 x 302 1 x 11.9 25 x 302 0.06 1.5 200 8 ∞ 0.75
77 1 25 1x3 25 x 77 1.25 x 3 32 x 77 0.06 1.5 175 6.9 ∞ 1.0
80 2 51 2 x 2.7 50 x 69 2.25 x 2.7 57 x 69 0.06 1.5 200 8 ∞ 2.0
80.1 2 51 2 x 12 50 x 305 2.25 x 12 57 x 305 0.06 1.5 200 8 ∞ 2.0
83 3 76 3x4 77 x 102 3.25 x 4 83 x 102 0.06 1.5 80 3.1 ∞ 3
85 6 152 3x3 77 x 77 3x3 77 x 77 0.06 1.5 65 2.6 ∞ 6
85.1 6 152 3x4 77 x 102 3.25 x 4 83 x 102 0.06 1.5 65 2.6 ∞ 6
Cylindrical Fresnel Lenses
86 -3 -76 1.2 x 1.6 30 x 41 1.5 x 2 38 x 50 0.06 1.5 100 4 ∞ -3
88 -9.1 -231 13.2 337 14.5 370 0.11 2.8 50 2 ∞ -9.1
90 -16.5 -419 10 254 10.4 264 0.06 1.5 50 2 ∞ -16.5
Negative Focal Length Aspheric Fresnel Lenses
Ordering Information
Terms on production are (with approved credit) net 30 days for customers in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. In fact, accounts are
due 10 days after invoice date and are past due 30 days after invoice date. If a net 30 account has not yet been or cannot be estab-
lished, we will require payment in advance or we will ship COD. We also accept VISA, Mastercard and American Express.
We expect payment in advance on all foreign orders. Payment may be made by check, credit card, or wire transfer. A pro forma
invoice will be sent when the order is placed. This will include all charges and bank information. We will ship freight collect.
All orders are shipped FOB Fort Worth, Texas. Freight and insurance are your responsibilities.
We have tried hard to make this catalog as free of mistakes as possible, but errors do happen, as do misunderstandings. We will not
guarantee the accuracy of the information and data in this catalog, but we give a typical 90-day commercial warranty on our
goods. We will cheerfully replace defective or unsatisfactory goods or refund your purchase price as appropriate.
Prices, specifications, and availability of the products in this catalog are subject to change without notice.
Please use fax or email ([email protected]) for technical questions, telephone for order placement and inquiry. Lead times
may vary.
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