Aberration-corrected catadioptric magnifiers useful for simple microfiche readers

Abstract

The present paper considers the magnifying power and aberration properties of three different catadioptric magnifying systems useful for application as simple hand-held microfiche readers. These are in the form of a plano-convex lens, a meniscus lens and an achromatic doublet lens and all their outer surfaces have been coated with a semi-reflecting film so that they behave like catadioptric elements. These can be designed to give magnification in the range of 15 × to 25 × with sufficient eye relief. Using such magnifiers, it is possible to read microfiche having frame sizes of 16 × 12 mm and 12 × 9 mm. The cemented achromatic doublet coated on the outer surfaces seems to give a very good image for use in microfiche reader.