What kind of optical system is particularly sensitive to astigmatism?

Cylindrical lens systems are particularly sensitive to astigmatism because of their specific design, which focuses light in one direction more effectively than in the perpendicular direction. This differential focusing can lead to images being blurred along one axis while remaining sharp along another, a hallmark of astigmatic distortion.

Astigmatism occurs when light rays entering the optical system do not converge at a single point due to the curvature of the lens not being uniform in all directions. In cylindrical lens systems, the geometry is inherently non-symmetrical, contributing to distinct focal points for different axes. This characteristic directly correlates with the phenomenon of astigmatism, making these systems ideal examples of how lens shape influences optical performance.

Other optical systems, like simple lens systems and real image projectors, typically do not demonstrate such pronounced sensitivity to astigmatism. These systems often have more symmetrical designs, which help minimize the distortion caused by astigmatism. Flat surfaces, while they can introduce other forms of optical aberration, do not contribute to astigmatism in the same way that cylindrical lenses do, as they maintain uniformity across the surface and do not focus light in multiple planes.