Abbe number: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Abbe_number_calculation.svg|right|thumb|300px|Refractive index variation for SF11 flint glass, BK7 borosilicate crown glass, and fused quartz, and calculation for two Abbe numbers for SF11.]] |
[[File:Abbe_number_calculation.svg|right|thumb|300px|Refractive index variation for SF11 flint glass, BK7 borosilicate crown glass, and fused quartz, and calculation for two Abbe numbers for SF11.]] |
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The Abbe number,<ref>{{ |
The Abbe number,<ref>{{cite book |title=The Properties of Optical Glass |year=1998 |series=Schott Series on Glass and Glass Ceramics |lang=en |publisher=[[Schott Glass]] |doi=10.1007/978-3-642-57769-7 |isbn=978-3-642-63349-2 |url=https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-642-57769-7}}</ref> <math> V_\mathsf d\ ,</math> of a material is defined as |
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:<math> |
:<math> V_\mathsf d \equiv \frac{ n_\mathsf d - 1 }{\ n_\mathsf F - n_\mathsf C\ }\ ,</math> |
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where |
where <math>\ n_\mathsf C\ ,</math> <math>\ n_\mathsf d\ ,</math> and <math>\ n_\mathsf F\ </math> are the [[refractive indices]] of the material at the wavelengths of the [[Fraunhofer lines|Fraunhofer]] C, d, and F [[spectral line]]s (656.3 [[nanometre|nm]], 587.56 nm, and 486.1 nm respectively). This formulation only applies to the [[visible spectrum|human vision]]. Outside this range requires the use of different spectral lines. For non-visible spectral lines the term "V-number" is more commonly used. The more general formulation defined as, |
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:<math>V |
:<math> V \equiv \frac{ n_\mathsf{center} - 1 }{ n_\mathsf{short} - n_\mathsf{long} },</math> |
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where |
where <math>\ n_\mathsf{short}\ ,</math> <math>\ n_\mathsf{center}\ ,</math> and <math>\ n_\mathsf{long}\ ,</math> are the refractive indices of the material at three different wavelengths. The shortest wavelength's index is <math>\ n_\mathsf{short}\ ,</math> and the longest's is <math>\ n_\mathsf{long} ~.</math> |
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Abbe numbers are used to classify [[glass]] and other optical materials in terms of their [[chromaticity]]. For example, the higher dispersion [[flint glass]]es have |
Abbe numbers are used to classify [[glass]] and other optical materials in terms of their [[chromaticity]]. For example, the higher dispersion [[flint glass]]es have relatively small Abbe numbers <math>\ V < 55\ </math> whereas the lower dispersion [[crown glass (optics)|crown glass]]es have larger Abbe numbers. Values of <math>\ V_\mathsf d\ </math> range from below 25 for very dense flint glasses, around 34 for [[polycarbonate]] plastics, up to 65 for common crown glasses, and 75 to 85 for some fluorite and phosphate crown glasses. |
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[[File:Eyesensitivity.svg|thumb|Most of the human eye's wavelength sensitivity curve, shown here, is bracketed by the Abbe number reference wavelengths of 486.1 nm (blue) and 656.3 nm (red)]]Abbe numbers are used in the design of [[achromatic lens]]es, as their ''reciprocal'' is proportional to dispersion (slope of refractive index versus wavelength) in the wavelength region where the human eye is most sensitive (see graph). For different wavelength regions, or for higher precision in characterizing a system's chromaticity (such as in the design of [[apochromat]]s), the full dispersion relation (refractive index as a function of wavelength) is used. |
[[File:Eyesensitivity.svg|thumb|Most of the human eye's wavelength sensitivity curve, shown here, is bracketed by the Abbe number reference wavelengths of 486.1 nm (blue) and 656.3 nm (red)]] |
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Abbe numbers are used in the design of [[achromatic lens]]es, as their [[reciprocal (mathematics)|''reciprocal'']] is proportional to dispersion (slope of refractive index versus wavelength) in the wavelength region where the human eye is most sensitive (see graph). For different wavelength regions, or for higher precision in characterizing a system's chromaticity (such as in the design of [[apochromat]]s), the full dispersion relation (refractive index as a function of wavelength) is used. |
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== Abbe diagram == |
== Abbe diagram == |
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[[Image:Abbe-diagram 2.svg|right|thumb|380px|An Abbe diagram, also known as 'the glass veil', plots the Abbe number against refractive index for a range of different glasses (red dots). Glasses are classified using the Schott Glass letter-number code to reflect their composition and position on the diagram.]] |
[[Image:Abbe-diagram 2.svg|right|thumb|380px|An Abbe diagram, also known as 'the glass veil', plots the Abbe number against refractive index for a range of different glasses (red dots). Glasses are classified using the Schott Glass letter-number code to reflect their composition and position on the diagram.]] |
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[[Image:SpiderGraph Abbe Number-en.svg|250px|thumb|Influences of selected [[glass]] component additions on the Abbe number of a specific base glass.<ref>{{cite web| |
[[Image:SpiderGraph Abbe Number-en.svg|250px|thumb|Influences of selected [[glass]] component additions on the Abbe number of a specific base glass.<ref>{{cite web |first = Alexander |last = Fluegel |date = 2007-12-07 |title = Abbe number calculation of glasses |website = Statistical Calculation and Development of Glass Properties (glassproperties.com) |url = http://glassproperties.com/abbe_number/ |access-date = 2022-01-16}}</ref>]] |
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An '''Abbe diagram''', also called 'the glass veil', is produced by plotting the Abbe number |
An '''Abbe diagram''', also called 'the glass veil', is produced by plotting the Abbe number <math>\ V_\mathsf d\ </math> of a material versus its refractive index <math>\ n_\mathsf d ~.</math> Glasses can then be categorised and selected according to their positions on the diagram. This can be a letter-number code, as used in the [[Schott Glass]] catalogue, or a 6 digit [[glass code]]. |
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Glasses' Abbe numbers, along with their mean refractive indices, are used in the calculation of the required [[refractive power]]s of the elements of [[Achromatic lens|achromatic lenses]] in order to cancel [[chromatic aberration]] to first order. These two parameters which enter into the equations for design of achromatic doublets are exactly what is plotted on an Abbe diagram. |
Glasses' Abbe numbers, along with their mean refractive indices, are used in the calculation of the required [[refractive power]]s of the elements of [[Achromatic lens|achromatic lenses]] in order to cancel [[chromatic aberration]] to first order. These two parameters which enter into the equations for design of achromatic doublets are exactly what is plotted on an Abbe diagram. |
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Due to the difficulty and inconvenience in producing sodium and hydrogen lines, alternate definitions of the Abbe number are often substituted ([[ISO]] 7944).<ref>{{cite |
Due to the difficulty and inconvenience in producing sodium and hydrogen lines, alternate definitions of the Abbe number are often substituted ([[ISO]] 7944).<ref>{{cite report |last=Meister |first=Darryl |date=12 April 2010 |title=Understanding reference wavelengths |type=memo |publisher=Carl Zeiss Vision |website=opticampus.opti.vision |url=http://opticampus.opti.vision/files/memo_on_reference_wavelengths.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://opticampus.opti.vision/files/memo_on_reference_wavelengths.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |access-date=2013-03-13}}</ref> For example, rather than the standard definition given above, that uses the refractive index variation between the F and C [[Fraunhofer lines#Naming|hydrogen lines]], one alternative measure using the subscript "e" for [[mercury (element)|mercury's e line compared to [[cadmium]]'s F′ and C′ lines is |
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:<math> |
:<math> V_\mathsf e = \frac{ n_\mathsf e - 1 }{\ n_\mathsf{F'} - n_\mathsf{C'}\ } ~.</math> |
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takes the difference between |
This alternate takes the difference between cadmium's blue (C′) and red (F′) refractive indices at wavelengths 480.0 nm and 643.8 nm, relative to <math>\ n_\mathsf e\ </math> for mercury's e line at 546.073 nm, all of which are close by, and somewhat easier to produce than the C, F, and e lines. Other definitions can similarly be employed; the following table lists standard wavelengths at which <math>\ n\ </math> is commonly determined, including the [[Fraunhofer lines|standard subscripts]] used.<ref>{{cite book |first1=L.D. |last1=Pye |first2=V.D. |last2=Frechette |first3=N.J. |last3=Kreidl |year=1977 |title=Borate Glasses |publisher=Plenum Press |place=New York, NY}}</ref> |
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{| class="wikitable" |
{| class="wikitable" |
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! λ |
! {{mvar|λ}}<br/>(nm) !! [[Fraunhofer lines|Fraunhofer’s<br/>symbol]] !! Light<br/>source !! Color |
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| 365.01 || i || [[Mercury (element)|Hg]] || [[Ultraviolet light|UV-A]] |
| 365.01 ||align=center| i ||  [[Mercury (element)|Hg]]  || [[Ultraviolet light|UV-A]] |
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|- |
|- |
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| 404.66 || h || Hg || violet |
| 404.66 ||align=center| h ||  [[Mercury (element)|Hg]] || violet |
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|- |
|- |
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| 435.84 || g || Hg || blue |
| 435.84 ||align=center| g ||  [[Mercury (element)|Hg]] || blue |
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|- |
|- |
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| 479.99 || |
| 479.99 ||align=center| F′ ||  [[Cadmium|Cd]] || blue |
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|- |
|- |
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| 486.13 || F || [[Hydrogen|H]] || blue |
| 486.13 ||align=center| F ||  [[Hydrogen|H]] || blue |
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|- |
|- |
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| 546.07 || e || Hg || green |
| 546.07 ||align=center| e ||  [[Mercury (element)|Hg]] || green |
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|- |
|- |
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| 587.56 || d || He || yellow |
| 587.56 ||align=center| d ||  [[Helium|He]] || yellow |
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|- |
|- |
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| 589.3 || D || Na || yellow |
| 589.3 ||align=center| D ||  [[Sodium|Na]] || yellow |
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|- |
|- |
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| 643.85 || |
| 643.85 ||align=center| C′ ||  [[Cadmium|Cd]] || red |
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|- |
|- |
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| 656.27 || C || H || red |
| 656.27 ||align=center| C ||  [[Hydrogen|H]] || red |
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|- |
|- |
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| 706.52 || r || He || red |
| 706.52 ||align=center| r ||  [[Helium|He]] || red |
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|- |
|- |
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| 768.2 || |
| 768.2 ||align=center| A′ ||  [[Potasium|K]] || [[Infrared light|IR-A]] |
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|- |
|- |
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| 852.11 || s || Cs || IR-A |
| 852.11 ||align=center| s ||  [[Cesium|Cs]] || [[Infrared light|IR-A]] |
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|- |
|- |
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| 1013.98 || t || Hg || IR-A |
| 1013.98 ||align=center| t ||  [[Mercury (element)|Hg]]  || [[Infrared light|IR-A]] |
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|} |
|} |
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Revision as of 22:15, 30 September 2023
In optics and lens design, the Abbe number, also known as the V-number or constringence of a transparent material, is an approximate measure of the material's dispersion (change of refractive index versus wavelength), with high values of V indicating low dispersion. It is named after Ernst Abbe (1840–1905), the German physicist who defined it. The term V-number should not be confused with the normalized frequency in fibers.
The Abbe number,[1] of a material is defined as
where and are the refractive indices of the material at the wavelengths of the Fraunhofer C, d, and F spectral lines (656.3 nm, 587.56 nm, and 486.1 nm respectively). This formulation only applies to the human vision. Outside this range requires the use of different spectral lines. For non-visible spectral lines the term "V-number" is more commonly used. The more general formulation defined as,
where and are the refractive indices of the material at three different wavelengths. The shortest wavelength's index is and the longest's is
Abbe numbers are used to classify glass and other optical materials in terms of their chromaticity. For example, the higher dispersion flint glasses have relatively small Abbe numbers whereas the lower dispersion crown glasses have larger Abbe numbers. Values of range from below 25 for very dense flint glasses, around 34 for polycarbonate plastics, up to 65 for common crown glasses, and 75 to 85 for some fluorite and phosphate crown glasses.
Abbe numbers are used in the design of achromatic lenses, as their reciprocal is proportional to dispersion (slope of refractive index versus wavelength) in the wavelength region where the human eye is most sensitive (see graph). For different wavelength regions, or for higher precision in characterizing a system's chromaticity (such as in the design of apochromats), the full dispersion relation (refractive index as a function of wavelength) is used.
Abbe diagram
An Abbe diagram, also called 'the glass veil', is produced by plotting the Abbe number of a material versus its refractive index Glasses can then be categorised and selected according to their positions on the diagram. This can be a letter-number code, as used in the Schott Glass catalogue, or a 6 digit glass code.
Glasses' Abbe numbers, along with their mean refractive indices, are used in the calculation of the required refractive powers of the elements of achromatic lenses in order to cancel chromatic aberration to first order. These two parameters which enter into the equations for design of achromatic doublets are exactly what is plotted on an Abbe diagram.
Due to the difficulty and inconvenience in producing sodium and hydrogen lines, alternate definitions of the Abbe number are often substituted (ISO 7944).[3] For example, rather than the standard definition given above, that uses the refractive index variation between the F and C hydrogen lines, one alternative measure using the subscript "e" for [[mercury (element)|mercury's e line compared to cadmium's F′ and C′ lines is
This alternate takes the difference between cadmium's blue (C′) and red (F′) refractive indices at wavelengths 480.0 nm and 643.8 nm, relative to for mercury's e line at 546.073 nm, all of which are close by, and somewhat easier to produce than the C, F, and e lines. Other definitions can similarly be employed; the following table lists standard wavelengths at which is commonly determined, including the standard subscripts used.[4]
λ (nm) |
Fraunhofer’s symbol |
Light source |
Color |
---|---|---|---|
365.01 | i | Hg | UV-A |
404.66 | h | Hg | violet |
435.84 | g | Hg | blue |
479.99 | F′ | Cd | blue |
486.13 | F | H | blue |
546.07 | e | Hg | green |
587.56 | d | He | yellow |
589.3 | D | Na | yellow |
643.85 | C′ | Cd | red |
656.27 | C | H | red |
706.52 | r | He | red |
768.2 | A′ | K | IR-A |
852.11 | s | Cs | IR-A |
1013.98 | t | Hg | IR-A |
Derivation
Starting from the Lensmaker's equation we obtain the thin lens equation: [citation needed]
for
The change of refractive power between the two wavelengths and is given by
where and are the short and long wavelengths' refractive indexes, respectively, and below, is for the center.
The power difference is expressed in terms of the power
at the center wavelength by multiplying and dividing by
The relative change is inversely proportional to
See also
- Abbe prism
- Abbe refractometer
- Calculation of glass properties, including Abbe number
- Glass code
- Sellmeier equation, more comprehensive and physically based modeling of dispersion
References
- ^ The Properties of Optical Glass. Schott Series on Glass and Glass Ceramics. Schott Glass. 1998. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-57769-7. ISBN 978-3-642-63349-2.
- ^ Fluegel, Alexander (2007-12-07). "Abbe number calculation of glasses". Statistical Calculation and Development of Glass Properties (glassproperties.com). Retrieved 2022-01-16.
- ^ Meister, Darryl (12 April 2010). Understanding reference wavelengths (PDF). opticampus.opti.vision (memo). Carl Zeiss Vision. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-10-09. Retrieved 2013-03-13.
- ^ Pye, L.D.; Frechette, V.D.; Kreidl, N.J. (1977). Borate Glasses. New York, NY: Plenum Press.