Hong Kong Polytechnic University Lecture 3

Thin Lens

Our targets:

• Understand the image formation by spherical refraction surfaces

• Know well the sign conventions for spherical refraction surfaces &
diverging and converging thin lens
• Be able to determine the image (real and virtual) distances, heights,
and magnifications formed by thin lens using thin lens equations.
• Use ray diagram method to determine the images formed by thin lens.

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Hong Kong Polytechnic University Review

Prism
 A +  m in 
sin  
 2 
n=
A
sin
2

𝛿 = 𝐴small 𝑛 − 1

How to draw ray diagrams

i’ o’
c f o i o i f c

Virtual O-Virtual I

Mirror equation for both concave and convex mirrors

ℎ𝑖 𝑠′
𝑚= =− Sign Conventions
ℎ𝑜 𝑠

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 Hong Kong Polytechnic University Refraction equation
Refraction at a Spherical Surface:
n1 sin 1 = n2 sin  2 n11 = n2 2 n1 ( −  ) = n2 (  −  )
Concave neglect the distance QV in the small angle approximation

h h h h 𝑛1 𝑛2 𝑛2 − 𝑛1
n1  −  = n2  −  − ′ =
 s R  s R  𝑠 𝑠 −𝑅
Image is virtual, the sign of 𝒔′ is negative
C, left of refraction surface, R is defined to be negative
s
>0
s’ ✓ General form of the
<0
R equation for spherical
<0
n1 n2 surfaces:

Convex Since image is real, the sign of 𝒔′ is positive

+ C, right of refraction surface, R is positive
R>0
✓ Vertical magnification:
-
ℎ0 −ℎ𝑖
𝑛1 = 𝑛2 ′
>0 >0 𝑠 𝑠

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Hong Kong Polytechnic University Sign Conventions

Sign Convention for spherical refraction surfaces (useful for calculation)

Assume incoming light propagates from left to right

Sign + when - when

Diverging Converging
Object location (s) (left of surface) (right of surface)

Converging Diverging
Image location (s’) (left of surface, virtual)
(right of surface, real)
C is on the right of the surface C is on the left of the surface
Radius (R)

Object height (h)

Image height (h’) Above axis, erect Below axis, inverted

Magnification (m) Object and Image same Object and Image opposite
orientation orientation

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 Hong Kong Polytechnic University Example

Example 3.1: A real object is positioned in air, 30 cm from a convex spherical surface
of radius 5 cm. To the right of the interface, the refractive index is 1.33. What is the image
distance and lateral magnification of the image?

Solution: s= 30 cm (real object) and R=

5 cm (C on the right, positive).

apply

1 40.7
1 1.33 1.33 − 1 𝑚=− = −1
+ ′ = 1.33 30
30 𝑠 5
𝑠 ′ =40.7 cm (real) opposite orientation with object
Example 3.2: if the refracting surface is concave
spherical, R= -5 cm
1 1.33 1.33 − 1 𝑠 ′ = -13.4 cm (virtual,
+ ′ =
o i 30 𝑠 −𝟓 front of surface)
1 −13.4
𝑚=− = 0.33 Minimized, virtual
1.33 30
same orientation with object
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Hong Kong Polytechnic University How the Lens is formed

“Two convex” refraction surface “Two concave” refraction surface

n2
R>0 R>0 R<0 R<0
convex convex concave concave
c1 c2 c1 c2
n1 R<0 R>0
concave
thickness
convex
thickness

c1 c2 Thick lens c2
c1

What is the sign of the surface R? (depending on the ray direction to surface)

n1 n2 n1 n1 n2 n1

c2 c1 c1 c2
Thin lens
Biconvex thin lens (neglect the thickness)
Biconcave thin lens
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 Hong Kong Polytechnic University Example
Example 3.3: suppose now the refraction medium with 10 cm thick for example 3.1,
with a second concave spherical surface, also of radius 5 cm, forming a thick lens.

image formed by the left convex surface will be the virtual object (VO2) of right concave surface

to the right refracting

apply surface (light travels from
glass n=1.33 to air n=1)
1.33 1 1 − 1.33
+ = 𝑠2′ = 9 cm (real)
−30 𝑠2′ −5 1.33 9
𝑚=− = 0.4
1 −30
Converging ray/on the C is on the left the
same orientation with
right of surface, s< 0 surface, R< 0
virtual object (VO2)
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 Hong Kong Polytechnic University Converging and Diverging Lens
Converging lens Diverging lens

✓ Converging and
diverging lens can
be regarded as
sets of prisms
Converging diverging
Fresnel lens
• Transforming
material that can
be removed
without affecting
the lens
Equivalent properties.
convex lens positive Negative
Transformation Fresnel lens Fresnel lens

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 Hong Kong Polytechnic University Thin Lens Equation
Thin Lens (thickness is negligible): R1>0 R2<0
1st refracting surface s1 s2’
C2 n2 C1
2nd refracting surface n1 n1

for thin lens, - s1 = s2, then

R1<0 R2>0
1 1 𝑛2 − 𝑛1 1 1
Thin lens equation: + = −
𝑠 𝑠′ 𝑛1 𝑅1 𝑅2
C1 n2 C2
n1 n1
Focal length f: 1 n2 − n1  1 1 
(the image distance of =  − 
f n1  R1 R2 
object from infinity s= ∝)
∞ ∞
1 1 1
+ ′=
𝑠 𝑠 𝑓
lensmaker’s equation >0 <0
Positive lens Negative lens
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Hong Kong Polytechnic University Sign convention of thin-lens equation

1 1 𝑛2 − 𝑛1 1 1 1 n2 − n1  1 1  1 1 1
+ = − =  −  + =
𝑠 𝑠′ 𝑛1 𝑅1 𝑅2 f n1  R1 R2  𝑠 𝑠′ 𝑓

Sign Convention for thin lens (useful for calculation)

• Assume incoming light propagates from left to right
• Applicable for both converging lens and diverging lens
Sign + when - when
Object location (s) Diverging Converging
(left of lens) (right of lens)
Image location (s’) Converging Diverging
(right of lens, real) (left of lens, virtual)
Focal length ( f ) Converging/convex lens Diverging/concave lens

Object height (h) Above axis, erect Below axis, inverted

Image height (h’)
Magnification (m=h’/h) Object and Image same Object and Image opposite
orientation orientation

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Hong Kong Polytechnic University Sign convention & nature of image
2nd optics
diverging converging
i’
o’ o
o
s
s>0 s<0
✓ Outgoing rays leaving the left lens
become the incoming rays (i’ acts
converging diverging as an object) to right lens.
✓ Diverging ray to right lens, so s>0
i i’
• Sign conversions of s and s’ are
same for mirror, refraction
virtual image
surface, and thin lens as
real image
s’<0 determined by diverging or
s’>0
converging rays.

• What you should

1 1 1 1 1 1
+ = + = remember are the
𝑠 𝑠′ 𝑓 𝑠 𝑠′ 𝑓 signs of their R and f
mirror single refraction surface thin lens
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 Hong Kong Polytechnic University Ray diagram method

1
Ray1 s= ∝, =0 𝑠′ = 𝒇 Ray2 s=𝑓, 1/𝑠 ′ = 0 s’= ∝
𝑠

Steps to determine the image formed by thin lens

Ray1: The first ray comes from tip of object in parallel to the optical axis and refract
through (including the extended ray for diverging lens) the focal point (right F for
converging lens, f > 0) (left F for diverging lens, f < 0).
Ray 2: The second ray passing through the focal point (left F for converging lens)
(right F for diverging lens) and refract parallelly to the optical axis.
Ray 3: The intersection point of Ray1 and Ray2 determines the tip of image. The
Ray3 leaving the tip of the object and passing directly through the center of a lens
and the tip of image, emerging unaltered. To double confirm the image location.
Choose any two rays

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Hong Kong Polytechnic University Lateral magnification
• ±Signs of m only represent the orientation between object and image；
• |m|>1 image size is magnified; |m|<1 image size is reduced

Image orientation is opposite to the object, Image orientation is same as object,

𝒎 is negative 𝒎 is positive

o i i i’
𝒔>0 𝒔>0
𝒔′ >0 𝒔′ <0
Real O-Real I Real O-Virtual I

𝒉𝒊 𝒔′ 𝒉𝒊 >0 𝒉𝒊 <0
Lateral magnification 𝒎= =−
𝒉𝒐 𝒔
object Image sign
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Hong Kong Polytechnic University Ray Diagram of Real Object

Cases for images formed by Real Object

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 Hong Kong Polytechnic University Ray Diagram of Real Object

Cases for images formed by Real Object

Object outside focal point Object at focal point Object inside focal point
Real image Image at infinity (no image) Virtual image

Always
form virtual
minimized
image on
the right of
real object
Object at focal point Object inside focal point
Object outside focal point Virtual image
Virtual image Virtual image

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Hong Kong Polytechnic University Ray diagram of virtual object

Cases for Virtual Object (formed by

o’ i converging rays)

The object is virtual (s<0) and

the image is real (s’ > 0).
Virtual o’ -Real i
2
o’ i
1 i o’
1

2
3
3

o’
1
The object is
i’ o’ virtual (s<0) and
the image is virtual i’
(s’ < 0). 3
Virtual o’ -Virtual i’ 2
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 Hong Kong Polytechnic University Tracing an arbitrary ray

Note:
✓ All incident parallel bundles rays on one
side of lens meet each other at the focal
plane on the other side

Steps to trace an arbitrary ray:

converging lens
intersection
1. An arbitrary ray 1 toward lens, stop
arbitrary ray ray at lens
2. draw guiding (helper) ray 2 straight
1 through center of lens (thus
2 focal plane undeflected) and parallel to ray 1
3. Note the intersection of ray 2 with
diverging lens focal plane (right focal plane of
arbitrary ray converging lens, left focal plane of
1
diverging lens)
2
4. original arbitrary ray 1 leaves lens
and pass through the intersection of
focal plane
ray 2 and focal plane

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 Hong Kong Polytechnic University Example
Example 3.4: Locate the image, draw ray diagram and describe it in detail of the
following lens (a) a converging lens, objective distance is 5 cm; (b) diverging lens,
objective distance is 10 cm, the focal length of both lens is 10 cm.
Solution:
1 1 1
(a) s=5 cm, + ′ = , s’= -10 cm (virtual
5 𝑠 10
image, left of lens)
m=-s’/s=2 (same direction as object )

1 1 1
(b) s=10 cm, + ′= , s’= -5 cm (virtual
10 𝑠 −10
image, left of lens)
m=-s’/s=1/2 (same direction as object )

Example 3.5: A convex meniscus lens is made from glass

with n=1.50. The radii of the two surfaces are 22.4 cm and
46.2 cm, respectively. (a) What is the focal length? (b) Where
will it focus an object 2.00 m away?
Solution: R1=22.4 cm and R2=46.2 cm. (a) Using the
lensmaker’s equation, we can easily get f=1/(0.5*(1/22.4-
1/46.2))=87 cm. (b) s=2 m, therefore, s=1.54 m.
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 Hong Kong Polytechnic University Example: thin lens system
Example 3.6: Find and describe the intermediate and final images produced by a two-
lens system as show in the figure. Both are 15-cm focal length lenses and their
separation is 60 cm. Let the object RO1 be 25 cm from the first lens.

Solution: 1st converging lens

f1=15 cm, s1= 25 cm
1 1 1
+ ′=
𝑠1 𝑠1 𝑓1 s1= 37.5 cm
𝑠1′
𝑚1 = − = −1.5
𝑠1
The first image is real (s1>0), 37.5 cm to the right of the first lens, inverted
(because m<0) and 1.5 times the size of the object.
For 2nd diverging lens, f2= −15 cm, s2= (60−s1)= 22.5 cm
1 1 1 𝑠2′
+ = s2=−9 cm, 𝑚2 = − = 0.4
𝑠2 𝑠2′ 𝑓2 𝑠2
The final image is virtual, 9 cm on the left of the second lens and inverted (m>0
same direction as the object RO2). The overall magnification is m=m1m2= −0.6.

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 Hong Kong Polytechnic University Vergence and Refractive Power
Refraction surface 𝑛2 𝑛1 𝑛2 − 𝑛1
P =− +
𝑠′ 𝑠 𝑅
𝑛1 𝑛2 𝑛2 − 𝑛1
𝑛1 𝑛2
define： − =𝑉 = 𝑉′ =𝑃
s s’ I 𝑠 𝑠′ 𝑅
O
Vergence of wavefront at Vergence of wavefront Refraction power
refraction surface/ lens at refraction surface of single
v<0 v>0 /lens centered at the
centered at the object surface/thin lens
position. image position.
P
1 1 1 1 1 𝟏
=− + − =𝑉 = 𝑉′ =𝑷
𝑠′ 𝑠 𝑓 define: 𝑠 𝑠′ 𝒇
O I
✓ Vergence describes the curvature of optical wavefront,
Thin lens it is negative (positive) if the wavefront is diverging
(converging).
power ✓ Refracting power P: power to change incident wave
curvature
𝑉′ = 𝑉 + 𝑃 ✓ The unit of V and P = diopter (1D=1 m-1) (equal to the
reciprocal of the focal length in meters, eg, power of a
outgoing incoming lens of focal length 0.2 m = +5D)
✓ Magnification 𝑚 = 𝑉/𝑉′
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 Hong Kong Polytechnic University Thin-lens Combinations
Thin Lenses in contact: 𝟏
Power of lens =𝑷
𝒇
Consider two thin lenses in contact:
1 1 1 1 1 1
Since -s1=s2, + = + =
𝑠1 𝑠1′ 𝑓1 𝑠2 𝑠2′ 𝑓2

add above two

1 1 1 1 1
+ ′ = + =
𝑠1 𝑠2 𝑓1 𝑓2 𝑓eq P = P1 + P2
equations
1 1 1 1
several thin lenses in contact: = + + + ... P = P1 + P2 + P3 + ...
f eq f1 f 2 f 3
Example 3.7: To measure the focal length of a diverging lens, a converging lens is placed
in contact with it as shown. The Sun’s rays are focused by this combination at a point 28.5
cm behind the lenses. If the converging lens has a focal length
fC of 16.0 cm, what is the focal length f of the diverging
lens? Assume both lenses are thin and the space between
them is negligible.
Solution:
1 1 1 1 1 1
+ = , + = fd = −36.5 cm
𝑓𝐶 𝑓𝑑 𝑓𝑇 16 𝑓𝑑 28.5

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 Hong Kong Polytechnic University Effective power of thin lens
The effective power (Px) of thin lens is the effective refracting power that occurs
at different distance x along its path.
1 1
𝑃origin = 𝑃origin = −
𝑓 𝑓
f
f

x
x

𝑷𝒙 𝑷𝒙
1 1/𝑓 𝑃origin 1 −1/𝑓 𝑃origin
𝑃𝑥 = = = 𝑃𝑥 = − = =
𝑓−𝑥 1−𝑥/𝑓 1−𝑥𝑃origin 𝑓+𝑥 1+𝑥/𝑓 1−𝑥𝑃origin

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Hong Kong Polytechnic University Effective power of thin lens
𝑃
✓ Back vertex distance (x) is the
distance between the back surface
of a corrective lens (i.e. spectacles)
and the front of the cornea of eye
x

𝑃𝑥 𝑃
𝑃𝑥 =
1 − 𝑥𝑃
(diopter 1D=1 m-1)

Example 3.8: A +12.00 D lens mounted 12 mm in front of the eye would require
what contact lens power?
Solution: Pnew = Porigin/(1–xPorigin) = +12.00/(1–0.012(+12.00)) = +14.02D
Example 3.9 : For a myopic eye that can be corrected with a –12.00 diopter lens
mounted 12 mm in front of the cornea would require what contact lens power?
Solution : Pnew = Porigin/(1–xPorigin) = –12.00/(1–0.012(–12.00) = –10.49D

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Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Newtonian Equation
when object and image distances
are measured relative to the focal
points F of a lens, as by the
distances x and x’ (rather than s
and s’), an alternative form of the
thin-lens equation results, called
the Newtonian Equation
ℎ𝑖 𝑓 ℎ𝑖 𝑥 ′
= = 𝑥𝑥 ′ = 𝑓 2
ℎ𝑜 𝑥 ℎ𝑜 𝑓

Cylinder axis
Cylindrical lenses form line images parallel
with cylinder axis

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 Hong Kong Polytechnic University Summary

✓ Refraction at a Spherical Surface:

✓ Converging lens (positive lens, f >0) ✓ Diverging lens (negative lens, f <0)

✓ Thin Lens Equation (lensmaker’s equation)

1 1 𝑛2 − 𝑛1 1 1 1 n2 − n1  1 1  1 1 1 𝑠′
+ = − = 
 −  + = 𝑚=−
𝑠 𝑠′ 𝑛1 𝑅1 𝑅2 f n1  R1 R2  𝑠 𝑠′ 𝑓 𝑠

𝟏 ✓ Effective power
✓ Lens power: 𝑷= diopter (D, m-1)
𝒇 𝑷
𝑷𝒙 =
𝟏 − 𝒙𝑷
✓ Steps to determine the image formed by thin lens

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Hong Kong Polytechnic University Homework 2

1. Two 27.0-cm-focal-length converging lenses are placed 16.5 cm apart. An

object is placed 35.0 cm in front of left one. Where will the final image
formed by the second lens be located? What is the total magnification?
(Lecture 3)

2. Two identical, thin, plano-convex lenses with radii of curvature of 15 cm

are situated with their curved surfaces in contact at their centers. The
intervening space is filled with oil of refractive index 1.65. The index of the
glass is 1.50. Determine the focal length of the combination. (Hint:
consider the oil layer as an intermediate thin lens, three thin lenses
connected together) (Lecture 3)

3. A biconcave lens has radii of curvature of 20 cm and 10 cm. Its refractive

index is 1.50 and its central thickness is 5 cm. Use normal or matrix method
to determine the image location and lateral magnification of a 1 cm tall
object, situated 8 cm from the first vertex. (Lecture 4)
4. A gypsy’s crystal ball has a refractive index of 1.50 and a diameter of 8 cm.
(a) Use matrix method to determine the location of its principle points
H1&H2. (b) Where will sunlight be focused by the crystal ball? (Lecture 4)

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