Physicists solve 2,000-year-old optical problem

A trio of physicists from the National Autonomous University of Mexico and Tec de Monterrey has solved a 2,000-year-old optical problem—the Wasserman-Wolf problem. In their paper published in the journal Applied Optics, Rafael González-Acuña, Héctor Chaparro-Romo, and Julio Gutiérrez-Vega outline the math involved in solving the puzzle, give some examples of possible applications, and describe the efficiency of the results when tested.

Once the math was established, the researchers tested it by running simulations. They report that their technique can produce lenses that are 99.9999999999 percent accurate. The researchers suggest the formula can be used in applications including eyeglasses, contact lenses, telescopes, binoculars and microscopes.

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Better Telescopes!

Tau.Neutrino said:

Physicists solve 2,000-year-old optical problem

A trio of physicists from the National Autonomous University of Mexico and Tec de Monterrey has solved a 2,000-year-old optical problem—the Wasserman-Wolf problem. In their paper published in the journal Applied Optics, Rafael González-Acuña, Héctor Chaparro-Romo, and Julio Gutiérrez-Vega outline the math involved in solving the puzzle, give some examples of possible applications, and describe the efficiency of the results when tested.

Once the math was established, the researchers tested it by running simulations. They report that their technique can produce lenses that are 99.9999999999 percent accurate. The researchers suggest the formula can be used in applications including eyeglasses, contact lenses, telescopes, binoculars and microscopes.

more…

Better Telescopes!

Gol-lee

It really would lead to better telescopes. This is a mathematical solution to the problem of sperical aberration. What combination of lenses is required to give zero spherical aberration.

You recall that a solution to this problem was required for the Hubble telescope.

There are types of aberration other than sperical, including astigmatism and coma.

I haven’t looked up how this solution affects coma
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coma_(optics)