Unlocking the potential of extreme hyperchromats: pushing the limits of axial color splitting

In contrast to conventional optical systems, which are optimized for wavelength-independent imaging, hyperchromats aim for strongly wavelength-dependent focal lengths. In this contribution, the design parameters of hyperchromatic two-lens optical systems were derived that provide strong axial color splitting expressed by extremely low equivalent Abbe numbers. These systems have been investigated for compositions of either pure refractive or all diffractive lenses, as well as hybrid configurations thereof. First, lens doublets made of cemented elements are considered and the variables affecting the equivalent Abbe number of the system are investigated. In particular, the influence of the focal lengths of the individual lenses and the Abbe numbers of the selected lens materials are taken into account. The best parameter-sets were determined by paraxial numerical simulations for different cemented configurations. To ensure a simple implementation, especially to avoid exotic or potentially harmful materials, only readily available inorganic standard glasses were considered. In the next phase of this investigation an air gap was inserted between the two lenses, which is an additional influence parameter on the equivalent Abbe number. Following the paraxial considerations, selected two-lens configurations were transferred to the non-paraxial domain and refined using optical design software, also taking aberrations into account. To further reduce achievable equivalent Abbe numbers, an aspherical surface was introduced to compensate for spherical aberrations. Finally, for the refractive doublets an equivalent Abbe number of 2.4 was achieved, which corresponds to only 12% of the smallest Abbe number of the selected materials. This result was even surpassed by the hybrid hyperchromat, resulting in an extraordinary minimum equivalent Abbe number of -0.6 that is more than five times smaller than the Abbe number of diffractive lenses.