Lateral–shift variable aberration generators

We describe and analyze an optical device capable of generating tilt, defocus, astigmatism, coma, and spherical aberration wave–front deformation. This optical device consists of a pair of aspheric plates that produce aberrations by laterally shifting one plate relative to the other. The surface descriptions of these optical plates are provided, and their aberration–inducing properties are verified with ray–tracing software. In addition, we examine the versatility and the limitations of using variable aberration generators and provide insight into how aberrations may be controlled by a simple lateral shift. The device may find application in aberration control in lens systems that are nonrotationally symmetric.