Analysis of two-element zoom systems based on variable power lenses

Traditional optical systems with variable optical characteristics are composed of several optical elements that can be shifted with respect to each other mechanically. A motorized change of position of individual elements (or group of elements) then makes possible to achieve desired optical properties of such zoom lens systems. A disadvantage of such systems is the fact that individual elements of these optical systems have to move very precisely, which results in high requirements on mechanical construction of such optical systems. Our work is focused on a paraxial and third order aberration analysis of possible optical designs of two-element zoom lens systems based on variable power lenses with a variable focal length. First order chromatic aberrations of the variable power lenses are also described. Computer simulation examples are presented to show that such zoom lens systems without motorized movements of lenses appear to be promising for the next-generation of zoom lens design. (C) 2010 Optical Society of America