What is chromatic aberration?

Chromatic aberration refers to a specific optical phenomenon that occurs when a lens fails to focus all colors at the same convergence point. This distortion happens due to the lens material's varying refractive indices for different wavelengths of light. As a result, colors are separated and produce fringes of color along boundaries that separate dark and bright parts of the image, leading to a misalignment that creates blurred images or colors around the edges.

In the context of optics, this is particularly important because it affects the quality and clarity of images produced by optical systems, such as cameras, microscopes, and telescopes. Understanding chromatic aberration is crucial for designing lenses and improving image clarity, thereby correcting optical defects that can occur in image formation.