title: Lateral-shift variable aberration generators.
abstract: We describe and analyze an optical device capable of generating tilt, defocus, astigmatism, coma, and spherical aberration wave-front deformation. This optical device consists of a pair of aspheric plates that produce aberrations by laterally shifting one plate relative to the other. The surface descriptions of these optical plates are provided, and their aberration-inducing properties are verified with ray-tracing software. In addition, we examine the versatility and the limitations of using variable aberration generators and provide insight into how aberrations may be controlled by a simple lateral shift. The device may find application in aberration control in lens systems that are nonrotationally symmetric.
authors.affiliation: Optical Sciences Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA. iapalusin@jntsw.com
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Palusinski
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sasián
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Greivenkamp