Analogy to mechanics for introducing optical imaging and teaching  about astigmatism

Pietro Ferraro

doi:10.1117/12.294416

8 December 1997 Analogy to mechanics for introducing optical imaging and teaching about astigmatism

Pietro Ferraro

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Proceedings Volume 3190, Fifth International Topical Meeting on Education and Training in Optics; (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.294416
Event: Fifth International Topical Meeting on Education and Training in Optics, 1997, Delft, Netherlands

Abstract

A simple analogy between mechanics and optics has been found for introducing imaging properties of lenses. In this analogy the light beam in optics has the role of a sample beam in mechanics; while in optics the light beam is expanded or reduced in size by the power of the lens in mechanics the sample beam suffer elongation when a tensile or compressive stress is applied. Following the analogy the aberration introduced by the lens can be the correspondent nonlinear effect that occurs in mechanics when elastic limit is over. Using the simple developed analogy astigmatism aberration of cylindrical lenses can be explained through a very simple classroom demonstration using rubber stripes.

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Pietro Ferraro "Analogy to mechanics for introducing optical imaging and teaching about astigmatism", Proc. SPIE 3190, Fifth International Topical Meeting on Education and Training in Optics, (8 December 1997); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.294416

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