Abstract

Formulas for a minimum of wave aberration variance and a maximum of the Strehl ratio in the optimal image point are derived using the third- and fifth-order aberration theory. Moreover, relations for the calculation of the optimal value of $f$-number of the optical system were derived, which enabled us to theoretically analyze real optical systems and their image quality. The optimal $f$-number corresponds to such a value of $f$-number when the image quality of a real optical system is comparable to an aberration-free optical system. This value may also serve as an auxiliary criterion of the image quality of the optical system, for example, in photography.

©2012 Optical Society of America

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