Plano Concave Lenses are essential optical components featuring one flat (plano) surface and one curved (concave) surface, designed to diverge collimated light and create virtual images. Unlike their convex counterparts, these lenses possess a negative focal length, making them ideal for applications requiring beam expansion, focal length adjustment, or spherical aberration correction in optical systems.
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Manufactured from high-purity optical materials, they deliver consistent performance across visible to near-infrared wavelengths, with customization options to meet specific divergence requirements.
The unique geometry of plano concave lenses ensures that when light enters the flat surface, it diverges uniformly after passing through the concave surface, minimizing wavefront distortion. This design is particularly valuable in laser systems, where precise control of beam diameter and divergence angle is critical for optimal performance.
Negative focal lengths ranging from -10 mm to -500 mm, with ±1% focal length tolerance for consistent beam divergence .
Surface accuracy of λ/4 (at 589 nm) and 40-20 scratch-dig rating, ensuring minimal light scattering and wavefront distortion .
99.5% light transmittance when paired with optional anti-reflective (AR) coatings, reducing surface reflections that cause glare and energy loss .
Primary material: N-BK7 optical glass, ideal for visible light applications (350 nm - 2.0 μm) with excellent mechanical stability .
Fused silica alternative available for UV (185 nm - 2.1 μm) and high-power laser environments, offering superior resistance to laser-induced damage .
Optional hydrophobic AR coatings to repel water and oil, simplifying maintenance in industrial settings .
Tight diameter tolerance of +0/-0.1 mm and center thickness tolerance of ±0.1 mm for reliable system integration .
Centration error ≤ 3 arc minutes to ensure alignment accuracy in multi-lens assemblies .
Plano concave lenses are widely used in laser marking and material processing systems to expand collimated laser beams to desired diameters. Their controlled divergence helps achieve uniform energy distribution across workpieces, improving engraving precision and reducing thermal damage.
In imaging setups, these lenses compensate for spherical aberration introduced by other optical components. They are commonly integrated into microscopes and telescopes to adjust focal planes without compromising image sharpness.
In laser Doppler velocimeters and spectroscopy systems, plano concave lenses enable precise beam shaping for accurate measurements. Their low distortion properties make them suitable for diagnostic tools requiring high optical fidelity.
Q: How does a plano concave lens differ from a biconcave lens?
A: Plano concave lenses have one flat surface, producing less spherical aberration than biconcave lenses when used with collimated light. They are preferred for applications requiring moderate divergence control .
Q: What coating should I choose for UV applications?
A: For UV wavelengths (<350 nm), select fused silica lenses with UV-optimized AR coatings, as N-BK7 glass absorbs strongly in this range .
Q: Can plano concave lenses be used in high-power laser systems?
A: Yes, but only with fused silica material and laser-grade coatings, which withstand high energy densities without damage.
Q: How to calculate the divergence angle of a plano concave lens?
A: The divergence angle (θ) can be approximated using θ ≈ d/f, where d is the beam diameter and f is the focal length (negative for divergence).