Cylindrical lenses image a point source as a line. They have magnification in only one plane, therefore they can change the height of an image without changing the width, or vice versa.

We offer a selection of high precision cylindrical lenses, both positive and negative, in BK7 glass and fused silica. These lenses are well suited for applications which require magnification in one dimension only. Examples include energy collection for linear detectors or for coupling to a slit input, source generation for barcode scanners, circularization of diode laser outputs, one-dimensional image compression, and other similar applications.

Cylindrical lenses are more difficult to manufacture than spherical lenses but we take great care to ensure that the lens power is confined to a single axis and that the lenses are tightly specified so that you can use them with confidence in a complex imaging system. The lenses are uncoated but our standard anti-reflection coatings are available for these lenses.