Injection molded optics, though originally limited to nonprecision applications and to components with unconventional, intricate shapes, became also important for high-quality photographic lenses during the last 15 years. This paper presents a survey of the principal optical plastics, their physical properties and some aspects concerning optical design with plastic materials. We discuss the relationship between lens quality, injection mold, and injection process. At last some examples show the imaging properties of plastic-glass systems and technical and economic limitations of the manufacturing process.
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