Synopsys has released v10.3 of Code V, its optical design and analysis software package. The release delivers new design and analysis capabilities that enable optical designers to more easily take advantage of the unique image quality and cost benefits that aspheres offer.
Aspheric surface shapes are used to help reduce or eliminate imperfect or blurred images in optical systems. While surfaces with spherical shapes are easier to make, many more spherical surfaces are generally needed to reduce image blurring compared to aspheric surfaces. This means that an aspheric lens can be used to replace multiple spherical lenses, thereby creating a device that is smaller, lighter and potentially less expensive.