In the fields of machine vision and optical measurement, we often hear the term "aberration rate". So what is aberration rate?

Definition of distortion rate:

Aberration rate, also known as distortion rate, is a parameter used to describe the degree of distortion in the shape, size, or position of an image produced by a lens or other imaging system due to a variety of reasons (e.g., lens design, manufacturing process, mounting errors, etc.). When a straight line in an image appears to be curved or distorted, it indicates the presence of distortion.

Classification of distortion rates:

Radial Aberration : This is mainly caused by changes in the radial curvature of the lens, causing points in the image to shift radially. In radial distortion, the center of the image is usually smaller, while the edge of the distortion of the larger degree.

Tangential Aberration: This is caused by an angular error between the lens and the imaging plane, causing the point in the image to shift in the tangential direction. Tangential aberrations are usually caused by errors in the manufacturing or installation of the lens.

Effect of distortion rate:

Aberration rate has a significant impact on the visualization of an image and measurement accuracy. In high-precision measurement or visual inspection applications, the presence of the aberration rate may lead to inaccurate measurement results. In addition, the aberration rate affects the clarity and readability of the image and reduces the image quality.