optical-lenses

Plano Concave Lenses

A lens with one flat and one concave surface, used to diverge or expand a beam rather than focus it.

Share requirements, quantities and a drawing if available. Specifications and supply terms require confirmation.

Overview

A plano-concave (PCV) lens has one flat surface and one concave surface, giving it negative (diverging) optical power — the functional counterpart to a plano-convex lens. It is the standard choice wherever a beam needs to be expanded or a diverging element added to an optical path, most often paired with a plano-convex or other converging lens in a beam-expander or telescope configuration. Procurement review should center on expanding or reducing beam convergence with a negative lens whose orientation affects aberration.

Key Selection Points

Diverges a beam rather than focusing it, complementing plano-convex lenses in beam-expander designs
Flat mounting side simplifies housing and alignment

Applications

Plano-concave lenses are used in laser beam-expander assemblies, telescope and projection optics, and any optical path needing a diverging element paired with a converging lens elsewhere in the system.

Technical Reference

Lens Geometry & Selection Guide

This module explains how lens geometry changes the selection path and the information required from the optical design. For Plano Concave Lenses, the module focuses on expanding or reducing beam convergence with a negative lens whose orientation affects aberration.

Show surface orientation, optical axis and conjugate or beam condition in the drawing.
Include focal length, prescription and aberration targets with the enquiry for feasibility review.
State tolerance and manufacturable-range requirements on the drawing for review.
Product-specific review: connect negative focal length with plano-concave orientation and document the trade-off against a double-concave lens.

Technical illustration pending

RFQ Specification

Prepare a product-specific enquiry

Include the requirements you know and identify any points that need confirmation.

RFQ input	What to provide
Input 1	System context: explain why Plano Concave Lenses is being considered for expanding or reducing beam convergence with a negative lens whose orientation affects aberration.
Input 2	Required optical definition: negative focal length, then beam diameter.
Input 3	Required physical definition: plano-concave orientation, then material and coating.
Input 4	Product distinction to record: state whether the input is collimated or converging and provide the desired output divergence.
Input 5	Provide the required quantity and program phase.
Input 6	List the applicable drawing, test reference and acceptance basis.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a plano-concave lens used for?

It diverges or expands a beam, most commonly paired with a converging lens in a beam-expander or telescope-style optical path.

Can I order Plano Convex and Plano Concave lenses as a matched pair?

Yes — send your target beam-expansion ratio or focal lengths through the RFQ form and we will confirm a matched pairing.

Can you supply a custom diameter or coating for Plano Concave Lenses?

Plano Concave Lenses requires this decision to be tied to negative focal length and beam diameter. Share your drawing or exact specification through the RFQ form and we will confirm feasibility.

Which specification should be fixed first for Plano Concave Lenses?

Begin with negative focal length. It determines how beam diameter and plano-concave orientation should be evaluated before the mechanical details are finalized.

When is Plano Concave Lenses a better fit than a double-concave lens?

Choose between them by testing the requirement for expanding or reducing beam convergence with a negative lens whose orientation affects aberration. If that requirement is absent, the comparison product may provide a simpler procurement path.