LENS WITH A SPHERICALLY CONCENTRIC REFRACTIVE-INDEX DISTRIBUTION FOR COLLIMATING THE RADIATION OF A SEMICONDUCTOR-LASER DIODE

This paper describes a planoconvex lens with a spherically concentric refractive-index distribution, for collimating the radiation of a lase r diode. Calculated results are given for the design parameters of suc h a lens for an actually achieved refractive-index profile. It is show n that the resulting lens is equivalent to a three-lens objective in a berration characteristics but possesses a much lower weight and size. Such lenses can be employed in widely used miniature laser devices.