Aberrations of zoom lens kernel

Abstract

This paper discusses the aberrations of a zoom lens kernel and a method to determine them. Separating the kernel aberrations provides insight into the zoom lens design process and helps the process by decoupling design tasks. The design of a zoom lens is discussed, step by step, and some alternate kernel solutions are shown. A technique for controlling uniform aberrations is discussed, and a reverse ray tracing method for displaying kernel aberrations is presented. The role of pupil coma in controlling distortion is also discussed.