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Effective Focal Length Relay System

  • 25 August 2020
  • 2 replies
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I noticed that the effective focal length can be negative for a relay systeem with a real object distance and real image distance.

Based on the lens formula you suspect then a positive focal length. 



for f1=80mm, f2=45mm and d=235mm gives an EFL=-32.7m, this is simmular to zemax.






  1. Lens f1 (paraxial)

  2. Mirror in focus

  3. Mirror

  4. Lens f2 (paraxial)

  5. Image


My question is: Is the EFL really negative and how am I supposed to interpret this?

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Best answer by Csilla Timar-Fulep 26 August 2020, 14:02

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Here it means that the image will be inverted.

Userlevel 5
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Hello,

 


By definition the Effective Focal Length is the distance from the rear principal plane to the paraxial focal plane. A negative focal length means that the rear principle plane is behind image surface. This is due the intermediate focus, which flips the rays top to bottom.


Best,


Csilla

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