Resolution Of Two Point Objects With Primary Spherical Aberration Under Incoherent Illumination

Abstract

The influence of primary spherical aberration on the resolution of two point objects in the case of apodised rotationally symmetric optical systems has been studied by applying the modified Sparrow criterion introduced by Asakura to suit the case of unequally bright object points. The results are presented in terms of Rayleigh and Sparrow limits obtained for coherent, partially coherent and incoherent illuminations. It is found that the chosen Hanning amplitude filter is effective in increasing the resolving power of the aberrated optical imaging systems.