Chromatic aberration in a lens

The refractive index of different colors of light is dependent on their different wavelength. This is referred to as dispersion of light and is best exhibited when white light passes through a prism (Nasim 1). The dispersion of light through a prism splits light into different colors consistent with what is observed in the natural rainbow. The blue component of light exhibits a short wavelength and the red component has a longer wavelength. The blue light component presents a greater refractive index in comparison with the red component of light.

Chromatic aberration which is also referred to as purple fringing or color fringing is an optical problem when a lens fails to capture all wavelengths at a common focal point (Nasim 1). This optical problem also results from wavelengths beings dispersed at different points on a focal plane. This results in a problem with lenses where an image is perceived as blurred or color edges or fringes appearing around objects in focus. This is especially the case with high contrast images.

Perfect lenses tend to focus all the wavelengths of white light to one focal point referred to as circle of least confusion (Image Engineering 1). Given that the refractive index of different colors of light is different as a result in difference in wavelengths, chromatic aberration tends to be of two major types, lateral and longitudinal chromatic aberration. Lateral chromatic aberration is also referred to as transverse chromatic aberration such that it is visible around corners of an image in areas of high contrast (Image Engineering 1). This cannot be corrected and as such is remedied through post processing software.

Longitudinal chromatic aberration is also referred to as bokeh fringing or LoCA. It results in instances where wavelengths fail to converge at one focal point (Image Engineering 1). It results in fringing around objects and can be prevented by stopping lenses down.

Works Cited

Image Engineering. Longitudinal and Lateral Chromatic Aberration. 8 Nov. 2011. 7 Apr. 2015. Web. <http://www.image-engineering.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=510>

Nasim Mansurov. What is Chromatic Aberration?  8 Nov. 2011. 7 Apr. 2015. Web. <https://photographylife.com/what-is-chromatic-aberration>

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