PE-LENS-ASP-006 · Standard + Custom

Aspheric Lenses

Single-element correction of spherical aberration for superior imaging performance

Material
BK7 / Fused Silica / Custom
Wavelength
UV / VIS / NIR
Type
Aspheric
Category
Optical Lenses
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Aspheric Lenses

Key Specifications

Critical Parameters for Lenses

When specifying this product, these parameters most directly impact performance and cost:

Wavelength Focal Length Diameter Surface Quality Coating
TypeAspheric (Conic Constant)
MaterialBK7 / UV Fused Silica / Custom
Diameter3-50 mm
Focal Length2-200 mm
Surface Quality40-20 / 20-10
Figure Accuracy±0.5µm (RMS) typical
Numerical ApertureUp to 0.5+
CoatingsAR coatings available for all bands

Parameter Reference Guide

Typical Standard capability — available as shown
Available Alternative options exist — request quotation
Custom Per your drawing — quote after review
Subject to Review Depends on project specifics

What Is a Aspheric Lenses?

Aspheric lenses have a surface profile that deviates from a simple sphere, described by conic constants and higher-order polynomial terms. This non-spherical surface corrects spherical aberration that would otherwise blur the focal point in conventional spherical lenses.

A single aspheric lens can replace a multi-element spherical system, reducing weight, cost, and alignment complexity while improving image quality and throughput.

When Should You Use This Product?

✔ Good Choice When

  • ✓ Replacing multi-element systems with single-element solutions
  • ✓ Laser diode collimation requiring minimal aberration
  • ✓ High-NA focusing with diffraction-limited performance
  • ✓ Compact optical systems where weight and size matter

⚠ Consider an Alternative When

✗ Broadband chromatic correction needed Achromatic Doublet
✗ Very large aperture (>50mm) Plano-Convex Lens
✗ Cylindrical aberration correction Cylindrical Lens
✗ Budget-critical low-NA application Spherical Singlet

Available Optical Materials

Select the optimal substrate material based on your wavelength, environment, and budget requirements.

MaterialTransmissionKey AdvantageConsiderations
N-BK7VIS / NIR (350-2000nm)General-purpose, low cost, good homogeneityNot suitable for UV < 350nm
UV Fused SilicaUV / VIS / NIR (185-2100nm)Excellent UV transmission, low absorption, high LIDTHigher cost than BK7
CaF₂Deep UV / VIS / IR (130-7800nm)Broadest transmission range, low refractive indexFragile, higher cost
SapphireUV / VIS / NIR (150-5500nm)Extremely hard (9H), scratch resistantBirefringent, higher refractive index

Not sure which material to choose?

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Optical Coating Options

AR 350-650nm

Broadband AR for visible range. R < 0.5% per surface.

Typical use: General visible laser and imaging

AR 650-950nm

AR for NIR range (780nm, 808nm, 850nm diodes).

Typical use: NIR laser diode collimation and fiber coupling

AR 950-1250nm

AR for 1064nm and nearby wavelengths.

Typical use: Nd:YAG and fiber laser systems

BBAR

Low reflection across 400-1000nm broadband.

Typical use: Multispectral applications

Uncoated

Raw glass surface. ~4% reflection per surface.

Typical use: Non-critical applications

How to Specify Your Coating

To select the right coating, please provide: (1) Operating wavelength, (2) Angle of incidence, (3) Required transmission or reflectivity, (4) Laser power density (if applicable), (5) Operating environment.

Engineering Considerations

Key factors to evaluate when specifying this optical component for your system.

Spherical Aberration

Aspheres eliminate spherical aberration for on-axis points, achieving near-diffraction-limited performance.

NA and f-number

Higher NA aspheres provide tighter focusing but shorter working distance. Balance NA with system constraints.

Manufacturing Methods

Precision molding for high volumes; diamond turning for prototypes and custom designs; grinding/polishing for large apertures.

Decenter Sensitivity

Aspheres are more sensitive to decenter and tilt than spherical lenses. Precision mounting is critical.

Surface Measurement

Aspheric surfaces require interferometric or profilometric verification. Specify testing requirements.

Wavelength Range

Material choice determines wavelength range. BK7 for visible, fused silica for UV, Ge/ZnSe for IR.

Applications

Imaging Systems

High-resolution image formation for industrial and scientific imaging.

Machine Vision

Inspection, measurement, and quality control in manufacturing.

Medical Devices

Optics for microscopy, endoscopy, and diagnostic imaging.

Research & Education

Laboratory setups and experimental optics.

Manufacturing & Customization

Manufacturing Capability Levels

Capability Standard Precision Project-Specific
Surface Quality 40-20 20-10 10-5 or tighter
Flatness λ/4 λ/10 λ/20+
Dimensional Tol. ±0.05mm ±0.01mm ±0.005mm
Centration ≤3 arc-min ≤1 arc-min ≤30 arc-sec

Actual capability depends on material, geometry and coating. Final specifications confirmed through engineering review.

PhotonEdge supports optical component sourcing, engineering review, and qualified manufacturing through our optical manufacturing network. We coordinate production, coating, and inspection to deliver components that meet your specifications.

🔬
Prototype
⚙️
Low Volume
🏭
Volume Production
📋
Custom Specification

Quality Assurance

Dimensional Inspection

Diameter, thickness, focal length verified per specification

Surface Quality

Scratch-dig inspection under calibrated illumination

Coating Verification

Spectrophotometric measurement of transmission/reflectance

Inspection documentation available according to project requirements. Certificates of Conformance, material test reports, and coating curves can be provided.

Available Documentation

Document Purpose
Inspection Report Confirms optical and mechanical specifications
Material Certificate Confirms substrate material and grade
Coating Report Confirms coating performance and wavelength range
Certificate of Conformity Confirms conformity to agreed requirements
Dimensional Report Confirms mechanical dimensions and tolerances

Documentation provided according to agreed project requirements.

You May Also Need

Plano-Convex Lenses

Spherical focusing lenses

Achromatic Doublet Lenses

Color-corrected lenses

C-Mount Lenses

Machine vision lens assemblies

Ball Lenses

Miniature spherical lenses

Related Knowledge

How to Choose the Right Optical Lens

Read article

How to Choose Lenses for Machine Vision

Read article

Understanding Optical Coatings

Read article

Laser Optics: Component Selection Guide

Read article

Engineering Documentation

The following documentation is available upon request for qualified engineering projects:

📐
Dimensional Drawing

CAD & dimensional specs per your requirements

📊
Material Data Sheet

Material properties, transmission curves & certificates

📈
Coating Performance Curve

Spectrophotometric measurement data

🔍
Inspection Report

Surface quality, flatness, centration & dimensional data

✅
Certificate of Conformance

CoC with full traceability per project requirements

📋
Custom Specification Sheet

Application-specific specification documentation

Documentation availability depends on project scope and order quantity. Request details during RFQ.

Ordering Information

Price Range
See Quote
Standard Lead Time
Ships within 1 week after payment
Custom Lead Time
Subject to engineering evaluation
MOQ
1 Piece
Samples
Available

Contact us for exact pricing based on your specifications.

Specification Parameters

Typical Specifications shown on this page are standard capabilities. Available Options include alternative materials and coatings. Custom Specifications are available per your drawing. Requirements beyond standard capability are marked Subject to Engineering Review.

Get a Quote Full Ordering Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials are available for this lens type?

We offer multiple substrate materials including N-BK7, UV Fused Silica, CaF₂, and Sapphire depending on your wavelength and environmental requirements.

Can I order custom specifications?

Yes. PhotonEdge offers custom diameters, focal lengths, coatings, and surface qualities. Custom optics require engineering evaluation. Lead time is confirmed with your quotation.

What surface quality should I specify?

40-20 is suitable for most laser and imaging applications. 20-10 is recommended for precision systems where scattering must be minimized.

What coating do I need?

The coating depends on your operating wavelength. For visible applications, AR 350-650nm is standard. For NIR lasers, choose the coating matching your wavelength. Uncoated is suitable for non-critical applications.

Do you provide inspection reports?

Yes. Dimensional reports, surface quality verification, and coating performance data are available according to project requirements.

How do I request a quote?

Click the 'Request a Quote' button and provide your diameter, focal length, wavelength, coating, surface quality, and quantity.

What is an aspheric lens?

A lens with a non-spherical surface profile that corrects spherical aberration, replacing multi-element systems with a single element.

How are aspheres manufactured?

Methods include precision molding (high volume), diamond turning (prototypes), and grinding/polishing (large apertures).

What is the advantage over spherical lenses?

Single aspheres can correct spherical aberration that would require 2-3 spherical elements, reducing system complexity.

Not Sure Which Specification You Need?

Describe your optical system and our AI Optical Engineer will help identify the right specifications, materials, and coatings for your application.

Ask AI Optical Engineer

Before Requesting a Quote

To help us provide an accurate quotation, please prepare the following information. Not all fields are required — send what you have, and our engineering team can help identify missing parameters.

✓ Material
BK7, fused silica, CaF₂, etc.
✓ Dimensions
Diameter, thickness, focal length
✓ Wavelength
Operating wavelength or range
✓ Coating
AR, HR, metallic, or uncoated
✓ Surface Quality
Scratch-dig, roughness
✓ Quantity
Prototype, low volume, or production
✓ Application
Laser, imaging, spectroscopy, etc.
✓ Operating Environment
Temperature, vacuum, cleanroom

Not sure about some specifications? Send what you have — our engineering team will help identify the missing parameters and recommend appropriate values for your application.

Request a Quote

Provide your requirements and our engineering team will respond within 1 business day with a detailed quotation.

TypeMaterialDiameterFocal LengthSurface QualityFigure AccuracyNumerical ApertureCoatings
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Have a Custom Requirement?

Upload your drawing or specifications. Our engineering team will review and respond within 1 business day.

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