title: Maximum power of refractive lenses: a fundamental limit.
abstract: This paper explores the maximum optical power, i.e., the shortest focal length, that can be achieved with homogeneous materials given a cylindrical volume and a minimum-diameter constraint. An equation for the maximum optical power for a given lens diameter and two refractive indices is defined. For example, we determine that a 25.4-mm-diameter lens assembly cannot have an effective focal length of </=6 mm using existing optical glasses in the visible.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Reardon
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Chipman