Lens (geometry)

A lens contained between two circular arcs of radius R, and centers at O₁ and O₂

In geometry, a lens is a biconvex shape comprising two circular arcs, joined at their endpoints. If the arcs have equal radii, it is called a symmetric lens. A concave-convex shape is called a lune. The Vesica piscis is one form of a symmetrical lens; the term is also used for lenses generally.

In common usage, the term "lens" is also used to describe the shape of a three-dimensional object obtained by rotating a two-dimensional lens about its narrow axis of symmetry. Such a shape is described as lenticular.

See also

• Mrs. Miniver's problem

References

• Eric W. Weisstein. "Lens". MathWorld. Retrieved June 13, 2005.  which in turn cites
  • Pedoe, D. (1995). "Circles: A Mathematical View, rev. ed.". Washington, DC: Math. Assoc. Amer. 
  • Plummer, H. (1960). An Introductory Treatise of Dynamical Astronomy. York: Dover. 
  • Watson, G. N. (1966). A Treatise on the Theory of Bessel Functions, 2nd ed. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press.