Patent Publication Number: US-2023132659-A1

Title: Folded camera lens designs

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO EXISTING APPLICATIONS 
     This is a  371  of International Patent Application PCT/IB2021/056357, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Pat. Application No. 63/054,862 filed Jul. 22, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The presently disclosed subject matter is related generally to the field of digital cameras and in particular to folded optical designs in such cameras. 
     DEFINITIONS 
     In this application and for optical and other properties mentioned throughout the description and figures, the following symbols and abbreviations are used, all of which are known in the art:
     Total track length (TTL): the maximal distance, measured along a direction parallel to the optical axis, between a point of the front surface S 1  of a first lens element L 1  of a lens (or “lens assembly”) and an image sensor, when a camera system including the lens is focused to an infinity object distance.   Back focal length (BFL): the minimal distance, measured along a direction parallel to the first optical axis, between a point of the rear surface S 2N  of a last lens element L N  of a lens (or “lens assembly”) and the image sensor, when a camera system including the lens is focused to an infinity object distance.   Effective focal length (EFL): the distance between a rear principal point P′ and a rear focal point F′ of a lens assembly of lens elements L 1  to L N .   f-number, (f/#): the ratio of the EFL to an entrance pupil diameter.   

     BACKGROUND 
     Dual-cameras or triple-cameras (or multi-cameras in general) for mobile devices such as smartphones are known. In a typical triple-camera, one camera has an Ultra-Wide (UV) field of view (FOV) FOVuw, another camera has a Wide field of view FOVw narrower than FOVuw and yet another camera has Tele field of view FOV T  narrower than FOVw. These cameras are also referred to herein as, respectively, an Ultra-Wide (or UW) camera, a Wide (or W) camera and a Tele (or T) camera. In general, the Wide camera is considered to be a smartphone’s main camera. 
     The f-number (“f/#”) of a camera lens is the ratio of the effective focal length (EFL) to the diameter D of the camera’s entrance pupil: f/# = EFL/D. The entrance pupil is the optical image of the aperture stop, as ‘seen’ through the front aperture of the lens system. The front aperture is the object-sided aperture of the lens. A low f/# is desired for a smartphone’s main camera as it has 3 major advantages: good low light sensitivity, strong “natural” Bokeh effect and high image resolution, discussed next:
     1. Low light sensitivity is a major performance drawback of today’s mobile device compatible cameras when compared to e.g. digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras. As an example, halving a camera’s f/# (for same EFL) increases the aperture area by a factor of 4, meaning that 4 times more light enters the camera. This difference is especially relevant when capturing low light scenes.   2. Bokeh is the aesthetic quality of the blur produced in the out-of-focus segments of an image, and it is a highly demanded feature for today’s smartphones. The Bokeh effect correlates inversely with the depth of field (DOF) of an image, wherein DOF ~ f/#. A low f/# is beneficial for supporting strong “natural” Bokeh effects. As the f/#s present in today’s smartphone cameras do not provide sufficient “natural” Bokeh, the demand for strong Bokeh is answered by “artificial” Bokeh, i.e. artificially applying blur to out-of-focus image segments.   3. Image sensors with continuously increasing pixel resolution are entering mobile devices, exceeding 100 megapixel in 2019 for the first time. This (amongst other factors) is achieved by shrinking the size of single pixels, i.e. increasing the spatial pixel frequency. For translating pixel resolution to image resolution, a camera’s lens must support the spatial pixel frequency k Pixel  of the sensor. For a well-designed (diffraction-limited) camera lens, the resolvable spatial frequency of the lens k Lens  depends inversely on the f/#: k Lens  ~ ⅟f/#, i.e. a lower f/# corresponds to a higher image resolution (assuming an image sensor with sufficient spatial pixel frequency).   

     The latest premium smartphones are equipped with main Wide cameras that have f/# of about f/1.9 (Huawei P40 Pro) and f/1.8 (Apple iphone 11 Pro Max). A major challenge in low f/# cameras is the design of lenses that correct for the strong aberration imposed by the large front apertures required, e.g. for correction of chromatic aberration. This is usually tackled by a more complex lens design that includes a larger number of lens elements. However, this generally leads to larger total track length (TTL) and larger camera module heights, what is detrimental to the goal of slim smartphone design. 
     A recent development in mobile Tele cameras involves using a prism to “fold” the Tele camera: a reflecting or optical path folding element (“OPFE”) is added to the optical path in order to “fold” (tilt) the light propagation direction from perpendicular to the back surface of a host device to parallel to the host device’s back surface. Folded cameras allow large TTLs in a slim camera design. 
     For improving a smartphone’s main camera it would be beneficial to have a folded Wide camera designs with low f/#. 
     SUMMARY 
     In various embodiments there are provided folded cameras, comprising: a lens with N ≥ 7 lens elements L i , having an effective focal length (EFL), each L i  having a respective focal length f i  wherein a first lens element L 1  faces an object side; an image sensor; and an OPFE for providing a folded optical path between an object and the lens, to the lens optical axis, wherein a folded camera has a total track length (TTL), wherein an aperture stop of the lens is located closer to a first surface of the first lens element facing the object than a distance d that fulfills d/TTL=0.2, and wherein an f number f/# of the camera is smaller than 1.2. 
     In various embodiments there are provided folded cameras, comprising: a lens having an effective focal length (EFL) and including N ≥ 7 lens elements L i  having a first optical axis, each lens element having a respective focal length f i  and comprising a respective front surface S 2i-1  and a respective rear surface S 2i , the lens element surfaces marked S k  where 1≤k≤2N, wherein each lens element surface S k  has a clear height value CH(S k ), wherein clear height value CH(S 17 ) of surface S 17  is greater than or equal to a clear height value of each of surfaces S 2  to S 2N-1 ; an image sensor; and an OPFE for providing a folded optical path between an object and the lens elements, and wherein an f number f/# of the camera is smaller than 1.2. 
     In some embodiments, f/# &lt; 1.1. 
     In some embodiments, f/# ≤ 1.0. 
     In some embodiments, 0.8 &lt; f/# ≤ 1.0. 
     In some embodiments, a folded camera as above or below has a diagonal FOV that is larger than 60 degrees. 
     In some embodiments, |f i | &gt; 4·EFL for 1≤i≤3. 
     In some embodiments, |f i | &gt; 5·EFL for 1≤i≤3. 
     In some embodiments, L 5  is the lens element with the strongest optical power, i.e. |f 5 | &lt; |f i | for i≠5. 
     In some embodiments, f 5  &lt; EFL. 
     In some embodiments, a lens sub-system including lens elements L 4  and L 5  has positive refractive power. 
     In some embodiments, focal lengths f 4  of L 4  and f 5  of L 5  satisfy |f 4 | &lt; 4·f 5 . 
     In some embodiments, focal lengths f 4  of L 4  and f 5  of L 5  satisfy |f 4 | &lt; 3·f 5 . 
     In some embodiments, the lens includes at least one air gap between lens elements that comply with the condition STD &lt; 0.020, where STD is a normalized gap standard deviation. 
     In some embodiments, the lens includes at least one air gap between lens elements that comply with the condition STD &lt; 0.010, where STD is a normalized gap standard deviation. 
     In some embodiments, an air gap between lens elements L 4  and L 5  satisfies STD &lt; 0.020, where STD is a normalized gap standard deviation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting examples of embodiments disclosed herein are described below with reference to figures attached hereto that are listed following this paragraph. The drawings and descriptions are meant to illuminate and clarify embodiments disclosed herein, and should not be considered limiting in any way. Like elements in different drawings may be indicated by like numerals. Elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings: 
         FIG.  1 A  illustrates a known digital folded camera that may operate as a Wide camera in a perspective view; 
         FIG.  1 B  shows the camera of  FIG.  1 A  in a side view; 
         FIG.  1 C  illustrates a known dual camera that includes a folded camera as in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  together with an “upright” (non-folded) camera; 
         FIG.  2 A  shows a schematic view of a folded optical lens system according to some examples of the presently disclosed subject matter; 
         FIG.  2 B  shows a schematic view of another folded optical lens system according to some examples of the presently disclosed subject matter; 
         FIG.  2 C  shows a schematic view of yet another folded optical lens system according to some examples of the presently disclosed subject matter; 
         FIG.  2 D  shows a schematic view of yet another folded optical lens system according to some examples of the presently disclosed subject matter; 
         FIG.  2 E  depicts schematically yet another folded optical lens system disclosed herein; 
         FIG.  3 A  illustrates the orthogonal projections IP orth,1 , IP orth,2  of two impact points IP 1  and IP 2  on a plane P that is orthogonal to the optical axis of the lens of the system in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 D ; 
         FIG.  3 B  illustrates the orthogonal projections IP orth,3 , IP orth,4  of two impact points IP 3  and IP 4  on a plane P that is orthogonal to the optical axis of the lens of the system in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 D ; 
         FIG.  4    provides graphically a definition of clear height; 
         FIG.  5    provides graphically a definition of clear aperture; 
         FIG.  6    provides a graphical illustration of diameter H Li  of lens element L i ; 
         FIG.  7    shows an exploded view of lens elements illustrating lens element width W Li  and height H Li . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the presently disclosed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the presently disclosed subject matter. 
     It is appreciated that certain features of the presently disclosed subject matter, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the presently disclosed subject matter, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination. 
     Furthermore, for the sake of clarity the term “substantially” is used herein to imply the possibility of variations in values within an acceptable range. According to one example, the term “substantially” used herein should be interpreted to imply possible variation of up to 10% over or under any specified value. According to another example, the term “substantially” used herein should be interpreted to imply possible variation of up to 5% over or under any specified value. According to a further example, the term “substantially” used herein should be interpreted to imply possible variation of up to 2.5% over or under any specified value. 
       FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  illustrate a known digital folded camera  100 , which may operate for example as a Wide camera. Camera  100  comprises an optical path folding element (OPFE)  102  e.g. a prism, a lens  104  with a plurality of lens elements (not visible in this representation, but visible e.g. in  FIGS.  2 A-D ) and an image sensor  106 . In some embodiments (as in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 D ), the lens elements are axial symmetric along a first optical axis  108 . In other embodiments the lens elements may not be axial symmetric. For example, lens elements may be cut (or diced or sliced) to a non-circular shape, as e.g. demonstrated in  FIG.  2 B . 
     At least some of the lens elements can be held by a structure called a “barrel”  110 . The barrel may have a longitudinal symmetry along optical axis  108 . In  FIGS.  1 A to  1 C , the cross-section of this barrel is circular. This is however not mandatory and other shapes can be used, e.g. for hosting cut lens elements. 
     The path of the optical rays from an object (not shown) to image sensor  106  defines an optical path (see optical paths  112  and  114 , which represent portions of the optical path). 
     OPFE folds the optical path from a first optical path  112  to a second optical path  114 . Optical path  114  is substantially parallel to the optical axis  108 . The optical path is thus referred to as “folded optical path” (indicated by optical paths  112  and  114 ) and camera  100  is referred to as “folded camera”. 
     In particular, in some examples, OPFE  102  is inclined at substantially 45° with respect to optical axis  108 . In  FIG.  1 A , OPFE  102  is also inclined at substantially 45° with respect to optical path  112 . 
     In some known examples, image sensor  106  lies in a X-Y plane substantially perpendicular to optical axis  108 . This is however not limiting and the image sensor  106  can have a different orientation. For example, and as described in WO 2016/024192, image sensor  106  can be in the XZ plane. In this case, an additional OPFE can be used to reflect the optical rays towards image sensor  106 . 
     Two cameras, for example a Wide camera  100  and a regular UW camera  130  may be included in a digital camera  150  (also referred to as dual-camera). A possible configuration is shown in  FIG.  1 C . 
     UW camera  130  may include an aperture  132  (indicating object side of the camera) and an optical lens system  134  (or “Wide lens module”) with a symmetry (and optical) axis  136  in the Y direction, as well as a UW image sensor  138 . The UW camera comprises a UW lens system configured to provide a UW image. As already indicated above, the UW camera has a field of view FOVuw larger than the field of view of the Wide camera FOVw. For example, FOVuw may be 80-130 degrees and FOVw may be 60-90 deg. Notably, in other examples, a plurality of Wide cameras and/or a plurality of Tele cameras can be incorporated and operative in a single digital camera. The FOV T  of a Tele camera may be for example 20-50 degrees. 
     Attention is now drawn to  FIG.  2 A  which depicts schematically an optical lens system disclosed herein and numbered  200 . Lens system  200  comprises an OPFE  202 , a lens (or “lens assembly”)  204 , an optical element  206  and an image sensor  208 . System  200  is shown with ray tracing. Optical element  206  may be for example infra-red (IR) filter, and/or a glass image sensor dust cover. Optical rays (after their reflection by prism  202 ) pass through lens  204  and form an image on image sensor  208 .  FIG.  2 A  shows 3 fields with 3 rays for each: the upper marginal-ray, the lower marginal-ray and the chief-ray. In the example of  FIG.  2 A , the optical rays pass through optical element  206  before impinging on image sensor  208 . This is however not limiting, and in some examples, optical element  206  is not present, i.e. in some lens systems, the optical element is optional. 
     Lens  204  includes a plurality of N lens elements L i   220  (wherein “i” is an integer between 1 and N). L 1  is the lens element closest to the object (prism) side and L N  is the lens element closest to the image side, i.e. the side where the image sensor is located. This order holds for all lenses and lens elements disclosed herein. Lens elements L i  can be used e.g. as lens elements of camera  100  above. The N lens elements are axial symmetric along an optical axis  210 . Each lens element L i  comprises a respective front surface S 2i-1  (the index “2i-1” being the number of the front surface) and a respective rear surface S 2i  (the index “2i” being the number of the rear surface), where “i” is an integer between 1 and N. This numbering convention is used throughout the description. Alternatively, as done throughout this description, lens surfaces are marked as “S k ”, with k running from 1 to 2N. The front surface and the rear surface can be in some cases aspherical. This is however not limiting. 
     As used herein the term “front surface” of each lens element refers to the surface of a lens element located closer to the entrance of the camera (camera object side) and the term “rear surface” refers to the surface of a lens element located closer to the image sensor (camera image side). 
     In lens system  200 , a first horizontal surface of the prism (oriented along Z direction), marked as T 1 , is 10.93 mm. A second horizontal surface of the prism (oriented along the X direction, not shown) and marked T 2  is 12.6 mm. The vertical surface of the prism (along Y) marked V is 8.68 mm. The angle of the prism is 45 deg. The relatively large prism size allows for a high amount of light entering the camera, which allows the camera to have in this example a low f/# of 1.0. In other embodiments, f/# may be 0.8-1.2. The aperture stop of lens  204  is located at a distance d=-0.042 mm from S 2 , i.e. from the first surface of the first lens element. For the non-zero fields shown in lens system  200 , about 80% of light reaches image sensor  208 . 
     As explained below, a clear height value CH(S k ) can be defined for each surface S k  for 1 ≤k≤2N), and a clear aperture value CA(S k ) can be defined for each surface S k  for 1 ≤ k ≤ 2N). CA(S k ) and CH(S k ) define optical properties of each surface S k  of each lens element. The CH term is defined with reference to  FIG.  4    and the CA term is defined with reference to  FIG.  5   , below. 
     In addition a height (“H Li ”, for 1 ≤ i ≤ N) is defined for each lens element L i . H Li  corresponds, for each lens element L i , to the maximal height of lens element L i  measured along a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens elements. For a given lens element, the height is greater than, or equal to the clear height value CH and the clear aperture value CA of the front and rear surfaces of this given lens element. Typically, for an axial symmetric lens element, H Li  is the diameter of lens element L i  as seen in  FIG.  6   . Typically, for an axial symmetric lens element, H Li =max{CA(S 2i-1 ), CA(S 2i )} + mechanical part size. 
     In general, in lens design the mechanical part size is defined as not contributing to the optical properties of the lens. Because of this, one defines two heights of a lens: an optical height H opt  (corresponding to the CA value) of an optically active area (dotted) and a geometrical (or mechanical) height of the lens H L  which covers an optically active and an optically inactive area. The mechanical part size contribution to H Li , is typically 200-1000 µm. 
     In lens  204 , the clear aperture of the last surface S 17  of the last lens element L 8 , CA 17 , is larger than the CA of all other surfaces S i  of the lens elements, i.e. CA 17  &gt; CA i  for i &lt; 17. The CA of the first surface S 16  of last lens element L 8 , CA 16 , is larger than the CA of all preceding surfaces S i  of the lens elements, i.e. CA 16  &gt; CA i  for i &lt; 16. 
     In lens system  200 , N is equal to eight. This is however not limiting and a different number of lens elements can be used. According to some examples, N is equal to or greater than 7. For example, N can be equal to 7, 8, 9 or 10. 
     In lens system  200 , some of the surfaces of the lens elements are represented as convex, and some are represented as concave. The representation of  FIG.  2 A  is however not limiting and a different combination of convex and/or concave surfaces can be used, depending on various factors such as the application, the desired optical power, etc. 
     A lens barrel such as lens barrel  110  may carry lens  204 . In some embodiments the lens barrel may be circular such as lens barrel  110 . In other embodiments the lens barrel may be not be circular but may have a shape such as the lens elements in  FIG.  7   . Referring to  FIG.  7   , a non-circular lens barrel may have a X axis or a Y axis as symmetry axis. A non-circular lens barrel may e.g. be shaped according to the cut lens elements of a lens such as lens  204 ′. The height of a lens barrel may be only slightly higher than the lens element having the largest height in the lens. E.g. a lens barrel may be 0 - 0.5 mm higher than the highest lens element. A lens barrel having an identical height as the highest lens element is described for example in co-owned International Patent Application PCT/IB2018/050988, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  3 A,  3 B and  4   , each optical ray that passes through a surface S k  (for 1 ≤ k ≤ 2N) impinges this surface on an impact point IP. Optical rays enter optical lens system  200  from surface S 1  and pass through surfaces S 2  to S 2N . Some optical rays can impinge on any surface S k  but cannot /will not reach image sensor  208 . For a given surface S k , only optical rays that can form an image on image sensor  208  are considered. CH(S k ) is defined as the distance between two closest possible parallel lines, see lines  400  and  402  in  FIG.  4    located on a plane P orthogonal to the optical axis of the lens elements. In the representation of  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B , plane P is parallel to plane X-Y and is orthogonal to optical axis  103  such that the orthogonal projection IP orth  of all impact points IP on plane P is located between the two parallel lines. CH(S k ) can be defined for each surface S k  (front and rear surfaces, with 1 ≤ k ≤ 2N). 
     The definition of CH(S k ) does not depend on the object currently imaged, since it refers to the optical rays that “can” form an image on the image sensor. Thus, even if the currently imaged object is located in a black background that does not produce light, the definition does not refer to this black background since it refers to any optical rays that “can” reach the image sensor to form an image (for example optical rays emitted by a background which would emit light, contrary to a black background). 
     For example,  FIG.  3 A  illustrates the orthogonal projections IP orth,1 , IP orth,2  of two impact points IP 1  and IP 2  on plane P which is orthogonal to optical axis  103 . By way of example, in the representation of  FIG.  3 A , surface S k  is convex. 
       FIG.  3 B  illustrates the orthogonal projections IP orth,3 , IP orth,4  of two impact points IP 3  and IP 4  on plane P. By way of example, in the representation of  FIG.  3 B , surface S k  is concave. 
     In  FIG.  4   , the orthogonal projection IP orth  of all impact points IP of a surface S k  on plane P is located between parallel lines  400  and  402 . CH(S k ) is thus the distance between lines  400  and  402 . 
     Attention is drawn to  FIG.  5   . According to the presently disclosed subject matter, a clear aperture CA(S k ) is defined for each given surface S k  (for 1 ≤ k ≤ 2N) as the diameter of a circle, wherein the circle is the smallest possible circle located in a plane P orthogonal to the optical axis  108  and encircling all orthogonal projections IP orth  of all impact points on plane P. As mentioned above with respect to CH(S k ), it is noted that the definition of CA(S k ) also does not depend on the object which is currently imaged. 
     As shown in  FIG.  5   , the circumscribed orthogonal projection IP orth  of all impact points IP on plane P is a circle  500 . The diameter of circle  500  defines CA(S k ). 
     Detailed optical data and surface data are given in Tables 1-3 for the example of the lens elements in  FIG.  2 A . The values provided for these examples are purely illustrative and according to other examples, other values can be used. 
     Surface types are defined in Table 1 and the coefficients for the surfaces are defined in Table 2:
     Surface types are:
   a) Plano: flat surfaces, no curvature   b) Q type 1 (QT1) surface sag formula:           z     r     =       c     r   2         1   +       1   −       1   +   k         c   2       r   2             +     D     c   o   n         u                       D     c   o   n         u     =     u   4         ∑     n   =   0     N         A   n       Q   n     c   o   n             u   2                             u   =     r       r     n   o   r   m           ,   x   =     u   2                       Q   0     c   o   n         x     =   1                     Q   1     c   o   n       =   −       5   −   6   x                         Q   2     c   o   n       =   15   −   14   x       3   −   2   x                         Q   3     c   o   n       =   −       35   −   12   x       14   −   x       21   −   10   x                                 Q   4     c   o   n       =   70   −   3   x       168   −   5   x       84   −   11   x       8   −   3   x                                 Q   5     c   o   n       =   −       126   −   x       1260   −   11   x       420   −   x       720   −   13   x       45   −   14   x                               
   
 where {z, r} are the standard cylindrical polar coordinates, c is the paraxial curvature of the surface, k is the conic parameter, r norm  is generally one half of the surface’s clear aperture, and A n  are the polynomial coefficients shown in lens data tables. The Z axis is positive
     
       
         
          TABLE 1
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 Lens system  200  EFL=4.14 mm, F/# =1.00, Diagonal FOV = 80.4 deg. 
               
               
                 Surface # 
                 Comment 
                 Type 
                 Curvature Radius 
                 Thickness 
                 Aperture Radius (D/2) 
                 Material 
                 Index 
                 Abbe # 
                 Focal Length 
               
             
            
               
                 1 
                 A.S 
                 Plano 
                 Infinity 
                 -0.042 
                 2.078 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 2 
                 Lens 1 
                 QT1 
                 -3.314 
                 0.354 
                 2.078 
                 Plastic 
                 1.54 
                 55.9 
                 26.78 
               
               
                 3 
                   
                   
                 -2.804 
                 0.058 
                 2.018 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 4 
                 Lens 2 
                 QT1 
                 11.125 
                 0.294 
                 2.002 
                 Plastic 
                 1.66 
                 20.4 
                 -55.77 
               
               
                 5 
                   
                   
                 8.474 
                 0.040 
                 2.010 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 6 
                 Lens 3 
                 QT1 
                 2.122 
                 0.359 
                 1.967 
                 Plastic 
                 1.65 
                 21.5 
                 34.22 
               
               
                 7 
                   
                   
                 2.186 
                 0.355 
                 2.050 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 8 
                 Lens 4 
                 QT1 
                 9.582 
                 0.256 
                 2.065 
                 Plastic 
                 1.67 
                 19.4 
                 -7.46 
               
               
                 9 
                   
                   
                 3.266 
                 0.061 
                 2.305 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 10 
                 Lens 5 
                 QT1 
                 4.164 
                 1.565 
                 2.357 
                 Plastic 
                 1.54 
                 55.9 
                 3.38 
               
               
                 11 
                   
                   
                 -2.887 
                 0.219 
                 2.481 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 12 
                 Lens 6 
                 QT1 
                 -3.676 
                 1.591 
                 2.579 
                 Plastic 
                 1.54 
                 55.9 
                 99.93 
               
               
                 13 
                   
                   
                 -3.971 
                 0.040 
                 2.583 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 14 
                 Lens 7 
                 QT1 
                 2.537 
                 0.912 
                 2.436 
                 Plastic 
                 1.67 
                 19.4 
                 13.54 
               
               
                 15 
                   
                   
                 3.002 
                 0.801 
                 2.852 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 16 
                 Lens 8 
                 QT1 
                 8.867 
                 0.354 
                 2.974 
                 Plastic 
                 1.66 
                 20.4 
                 -8.81 
               
               
                 17 
                   
                   
                 3.479 
                 0.259 
                 3.285 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 18 
                 Filter 
                 Plano 
                 Infinity 
                 0.210 
                 - 
                 Glass 
                 1.52 
                 64.2 
                   
               
               
                 19 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.610 
                 - 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 20 
                 Image 
                 Plano 
                 Infinity 
                 - 
                 - 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
      towards image. Values for CA are given as a clear aperture radius, i.e. CA/2. The reference wavelength is 555.0 nm. Units are in mm except for refraction index (“Index”) and Abbe #. Each lens element L i  has a respective focal length f i , given in Table 1. 
     
       
         
          TABLE 2
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 Aspheric Coefficients 
               
               
                 Surface # 
                 Rnorm 
                 A0 
                 A1 
                 A2 
                 A3 
               
             
            
               
                 2 
                 1.96E+00 
                 7.01E-01 
                 -4.57E-02 
                 1.03E-02 
                 -9.49E-04 
               
               
                 3 
                 1.98E+00 
                 8.98E-01 
                 -9.70E-02 
                 1.92E-02 
                 -5.01E-03 
               
               
                 4 
                 1.96E+00 
                 -7.58E-02 
                 -8.16E-02 
                 1.72E-02 
                 1.98E-03 
               
               
                 5 
                 1.90E+00 
                 -2.09E-01 
                 -2.62E-02 
                 7.39E-03 
                 2.93E-03 
               
               
                 6 
                 1.76E+00 
                 -6.48E-01 
                 -4.85E-02 
                 -2.11E-03 
                 -1.95E-03 
               
               
                 7 
                 1.79E+00 
                 -7.12E-01 
                 -5.06E-02 
                 4.56E-03 
                 -4.47E-04 
               
               
                 8 
                 1.80E+00 
                 -2.24E-01 
                 -7.75E-03 
                 7.30E-03 
                 -1.86E-03 
               
               
                 9 
                 1.84E+00 
                 -2.52E-01 
                 1.46E-02 
                 2.39E-03 
                 -3.73E-03 
               
               
                 10 
                 1.98E+00 
                 -1.56E-01 
                 -3.39E-04 
                 1.13E-03 
                 -7.45E-04 
               
               
                 11 
                 2.04E+00 
                 5.32E-01 
                 -7.05E-02 
                 6.97E-03 
                 3.13E-04 
               
               
                 12 
                 2.14E+00 
                 8.97E-01 
                 -1.12E-01 
                 1.97E-02 
                 -2.85E-03 
               
               
                 13 
                 2.09E+00 
                 1.58E-02 
                 2.61E-02 
                 -4.19E-03 
                 7.93E-04 
               
               
                 14 
                 2.13E+00 
                 -7.72E-01 
                 -5.12E-02 
                 -1.16E-02 
                 -6.42E-04 
               
               
                 15 
                 2.63E+00 
                 -1.11E+00 
                 -1.05E-01 
                 4.11E-02 
                 -2.53E-05 
               
               
                 16 
                 2.73E+00 
                 -9.92E-01 
                 1.86E-01 
                 2.37E-02 
                 -1.12E-02 
               
               
                 17 
                 3.20E+00 
                 -2.04E+00 
                 1.88E-01 
                 -6.16E-02 
                 -2.74E-02 
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
          TABLE 2 (Cont)
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 Surface # 
                 A4 
                 A5 
                 A6 
                 A7 
                 A8 
               
             
            
               
                 2 
                 1.37E-04 
                 3.42E-05 
                 1.55E-06 
                 0.00E+00 
                 0.00E+00 
               
               
                 3 
                 8.19E-04 
                 -1.08E-04 
                 5.14E-06 
                 0.00E+00 
                 0.00E+00 
               
               
                 4 
                 -8.58E-04 
                 5.69E-05 
                 -2.90E-04 
                 0.00E+00 
                 0.00E+00 
               
               
                 5 
                 -1.76E-03 
                 5.55E-04 
                 -2.96E-04 
                 0.00E+00 
                 0.00E+00 
               
               
                 6 
                 -7.14E-04 
                 1.16E-04 
                 3.39E-05 
                 0.00E+00 
                 0.00E+00 
               
               
                 7 
                 -2.33E-04 
                 -4.64E-05 
                 2.51E-05 
                 0.00E+00 
                 0.00E+00 
               
               
                 8 
                 8.01E-04 
                 -2.83E-04 
                 1.97E-05 
                 0.00E+00 
                 0.00E+00 
               
               
                 9 
                 1.36E-03 
                 -2.35E-04 
                 1.55E-05 
                 0.00E+00 
                 0.00E+00 
               
               
                 10 
                 6.24E-04 
                 -1.91E-04 
                 1.83E-05 
                 0.00E+00 
                 0.00E+00 
               
               
                 11 
                 -2.57E-04 
                 6.98E-05 
                 -5.72E-06 
                 0.00E+00 
                 0.00E+00 
               
               
                 12 
                 3.28E-04 
                 -1.68E-05 
                 -7.24E-07 
                 0.00E+00 
                 0.00E+00 
               
               
                 13 
                 -1.38E-04 
                 2.67E-05 
                 -2.84E-06 
                 0.00E+00 
                 0.00E+00 
               
               
                 14 
                 -4.12E-04 
                 3.26E-04 
                 -2.63E-04 
                 1.47E-04 
                 -3.10E-05 
               
               
                 15 
                 4.72E-03 
                 -3.18E-03 
                 7.16E-05 
                 -2.80E-04 
                 1.03E-04 
               
               
                 16 
                 7.44E-03 
                 -5.47E-03 
                 4.68E-04 
                 3.29E-04 
                 -3.43E-05 
               
               
                 17 
                 1.30E-02 
                 -4.97E-03 
                 2.36E-03 
                 -2.23E-03 
                 4.96E-04 
               
            
           
         
       
     
     In the example of  FIG.  2 A , the following optical properties are achieved:
     TTL = 8.34 mm   BFL = 1.08 mm   EFL = 4.14 mm   CA(S 17 ) &gt; CA(S k ), 1 &lt; k ≤ 2N   CA(S 16 ) &gt; CA(S k ), 1 &lt; k ≤ 2N-1   CA(S 15 ) &gt; CA(S k ), 1 &lt; k &lt; 2N-2   f/# = 1.0   Sensor diagonal (SD) is 7 mm, sensor width/height ratio is 4:3   Minimum CA/SD ratio: CA(S 4 )/SD = 0.57   Maximum CA/SD ratio: CA(S 17 )/SD = 0.94   Diagonal FOV = 80.44 deg, Horizontal FOV = 68.32 deg, Vertical FOV = 53.48 deg,   Distance d from aperture stop to S 2 : d= -0.042 mm   L 1 , L 2  and L 3  have relatively low power (magnitude), so |f i | &gt; 5·EFL for 1 ≤ i ≤ 3   L 4  and L 5  together have positive power, so for the lens sub-system including L 4  and L 5  at a thickness d apart from each other and as given in Table 1 which has focal length ⅟(f 4 +f 5 ) = [⅟f 4  + ⅟f 5  - d/(f 4 f 5 )] &gt; 0   For L 5  yields: f 5  &lt; EFL   L 4  and L 5  satisfy: |f 4 | &lt; 3xf 5     Minimal gap between L 4  and L 5 : Gap Min  = 0.04 mm   Maximal gap between L 4  and L 5 : Gap Max  =0.0745 mm   Average gap AVG 4  between L 4  and L 5 : AVG 4  = 0.048 mm   STD 4  from average gap AVG 4 (r) between L 4  and L 5 : STD 4  = 3.42·10 -3  mm.   
 Lens  204  may be carried by a lens barrel having a lens barrel height of e.g. 6.57 mm - 7.2 mm.
     In this specification, a “gap” or an “air gap” refers to the space between consecutive lens elements. In the case of lens elements 4 and 5, “gap” refers to the air space between the last surface of L 4  and the first surface of L 5 . 
     A number of functions and constants per gap are defined:
     1. A “Gap i (r)” function, (where i is the lens element number and r is the same variable used in Eq. 1) is:
   a) for i=1: Gap 1 (r) = z(r) of L 2 S 1  + (the distance along the second optical axis between the prism exit surface and L 2 S 1 );   b) for i&gt;1: Gap i (r) = z(r) of L i+1 S 1  + (the distance along the second optical axis between L i S 2  and L i+1 S 1 ) - z(r) of L i S 2 ;   c) for r = 0, an “on-axis gap” (OA_Gap i ) is defined as Gap i (r=0);   
   2. A “gap average” (AVG i ) constant is given by:           A   V     G   i     =     1     N   +     1   /   2             ∑     j   =   0     N       G   a     p   i             j   ⋅     r     n   o   r   m         N                      where j is a discrete variable that runs from 0 to N, where N is an integer &gt;10, and where r norm  is the minimum value D/2 of surfaces {L i S 2 , L i+1 S 1 }.   3. A normalized gap standard deviation (STD i ) constant is given by:           S   T     D   i     =     1       r     n   o   r   m                 1     N   −     1   /   2             ∑     j   =   0     N               G   a     p   i             j   ⋅     r     n   o   r   m         N         −   A   V     G   i           2                      where r norm  is the minimum value D/2 of surfaces {L i S 2 , L i+1 S 1 }, N is an integer &gt;10, and AVG i  is defined as in (Eq.2).   

     Attention is now drawn to  FIG.  2 B , which depicts schematically another optical lens system disclosed herein and numbered  200 ′. Lens system  200 ′ comprises an OPFE  202 , a lens  204 ′ with a plurality of lens elements, an optical element  206  and an image sensor  208 . Ray tracing is provided as in  FIG.  2 A . Detailed optical data and surface data are given in Tables 1 and 2. However, data on aperture radius for all surfaces of L 6  and L 8  as well as surface S 15  of L 7  is to be replaced by 2.5 mm in the y-direction (no change in x-direction). 
     For achieving a folded lens system with low f/# and low lens height at the same time, lens elements are cut to a non-circular shape (often called “cut lens” or “D cut lens”). The lens elements are obtained by cutting the large lens elements of lens  204 ′ to a height of 5 mm (in the Y direction). That is, the lens elements L i  of lens  204 ′ that have height H Li  &gt; 5 mm (i.e. L 6 , L 7  and L 8 ) are cut to 5 mm. The cut lens elements have no circular symmetry like that of lens elements  204 , but their width is larger than their height, i.e. W Li  &gt; H Li  (see example in  FIG.  7   ). The lens elements Li of lens  204  that have height H Li  ≤ 5 mm are not changed. As of the cut, lens elements L 6 , L 7  and L 8  have a large CA but still low CH. This is beneficial as in a folded lens design a lens height H L  may determine the camera’s height, wherein the camera height is generally limited by a height of the host device. A lens having large CA and low CH is beneficial for a low f/# folded lens that is compatible with e.g. a smartphone’s height constraints. Lens elements of lens  204 ′ are cut in direction Y, meaning that the height of a lens element H Li  is smaller than its width W Li . The CA of lens elements L 1  - L 5  may be oriented in any direction, e.g. in Y direction. As of the cut design, the CA of lens element L 6 , L 7  and L 8  is oriented in X direction (not shown here). In other embodiments, only one or only two lens elements L i  may be cut, i.e. may have W Li  &gt; H Li . In yet other embodiments, more than 3 lens elements L i  may be cut, i.e. may have W Li  &gt; H Li . In yet other embodiments, all lens elements L i  may be cut, i.e. may have W Li  &gt; H Li . In other embodiments, lens  204 ′ may be achieved by cutting the large lens elements of lens  204  to a height of e.g. 4.5 mm or 4 mm (in the Y direction), i.e. the lens elements L i  that have height H Li  &gt; 4.5 mm (i.e. L 4 , L 5 , L 6 , L 7  and L 8 ) or 4 mm (i.e. L 1  -L 8 ) may be cut to 4.5 mm or 4 mm respectively. In yet other embodiments, lens  204 ′ may formed by cutting the large lens elements of lens  204  to a height of e.g. 3.5 mm or 3 mm (in Y direction). 
     In lens system  200 ′, the prism dimensions are identical with those in lens system  200 : T1=10.93 mm, T 2  = 12.6 mm and V = 8.68 mm. 
     Besides the properties described in  FIG.  2 A , in the example of  FIG.  2 B , the following optical properties are achieved:
     CA(S 12 ) = 1.03 x CH(S 12 ) = 2.58 mm   CA(S 13 ) = 1.03 x CH(S 13 ) = 2.58 mm   CA(S 15 ) = 1.14 x CH(S 15 ) = 2.85 mm   CA(S 16 ) = 1.19 x CH(S 16 ) = 2.97 mm.   CA(S 17 ) = 1.32 x CH(S 12 ) = 3.29 mm   CA(S 17 ) &gt; CA(S k ), 1&lt; k ≤ 2N.   CA(S 16 ) &gt; CA(S k ), 1 &lt; k ≤ 2N-1   CA(S 15 ) &gt; CA(S k ), 1 &lt; k &lt; 2N-2   For all lens surfaces CH(S k ) ≤ 5 mm   f/# = 1.0   Minimum CA/SD ratio: CA(S 4 )/SD = 0.57   Maximum CA/SD ratio: CA(S 17 )/SD = 0.71   
 Lens  204 ′ may be carried by a lens barrel having a lens barrel height of e.g. 5.0 mm - 5.5 mm.
       FIG.  2 C  depicts schematically another optical lens system disclosed herein and numbered  200 ″. Lens system  200 ″ comprises an OPFE  202 &#39;, lens  204 , an optical element  206  and image sensor  208 . Ray tracing is provided as in  FIG.  2 A . Detailed optical data and surface data are given in Tables 1 and 2. In comparison with the OPFEs shown in  FIG.  2 A  and  FIG.  2 B , OPFE  202 &#39; has a smaller prism height (“V”) of 7.82 mm. The smaller prism height may be beneficial for achieving a slim folded camera. 
     Here T1=9.815 mm, T 2  = 12.6 mm and V = 7.82 mm. For the non-zero fields of lens system  200 ″, the reduction of light compared to optical lens systems  200  and  200 ′ is 8% or less. For the zero fields there is no change in the amount of light entering the camera. The high amount of light entering the camera allows for the camera’s low f/# of 1.0. In other embodiments a f/# may be 0.8-1.2. 
       FIG.  2 D  depicts schematically yet another optical lens system disclosed herein and numbered  200 ‴. Lens system  200 ‴ comprises an OPFE  202 ″, lens  204 , optical element  206  and image sensor  208 . Ray tracing is provided as in  FIG.  2 A . Detailed optical data and surface data are given in Tables 1, 2. In comparison with OPFE  202 ′ shown in  FIG.  2 C , OPFE  202 ″ has a smaller prism height (“V”) of 7.02 mm. 
     Here T1= 8.75 mm, T 2  = 12.6 mm and V = 7.02 mm. For the non-zero fields of lens system  200 ‴ the reduction of light compared to lens systems  200  and  200 ′ is 19% or less. For the zero fields there is no change in the amount of light entering the camera. The high amount of light entering the camera allows for the camera’s low f/# of 1.0. In other embodiments, f/# may be 0.8-1.2. 
       FIG.  2 E  depicts schematically yet another optical lens system disclosed herein and numbered  200 ⁗. Lens system  200 ⁗ comprises an OPFE  202 ‴, lens  204 ″, optical element  206  and image sensor  208 . Ray tracing is provided as in  FIG.  2 A . Detailed optical data and surface data are given in Tables 1, 2. However, data on aperture radius for all surfaces of L 6 , and L 8  as well as of surfaces S 11  of L 5  and S 15  of L 7  is to be replaced by 2.45 mm in y-direction (no change in x-direction). The prism height (measured along the Y-axis) is larger than the height of lens  204 ″. The height of the entire lens system  200 ⁗ (measured along the Y-axis) is determined solely by the prism height, i.e. there is no additional “height penalty” introduced by lens  204 ″. 
     In comparison with OPFE  202 ″ shown in  FIG.  2 D , OPFE  202 ‴ has a smaller prism height of 6.00 mm. 
     The lens elements of lens  204 ″ are obtained by cutting the large lens elements of lens  204 ″ to a height of 4.9 mm (in Y direction). That is, the lens elements L i  of lens  204 ″ that have height H Li &gt; 4.9 mm (i.e. L 6 , L 7  and L 8 ) are cut to 4.9 mm. The cut lens elements have no circular symmetry like that of lens elements  204 , but their width is larger than their height, i.e. W Li  &gt; H Li  (see example in  FIG.  7   ). In other embodiments, lens  204 ″ may be achieved by cutting the large lens elements of lens  204  to a height of e.g. 4.5 mm or 4 mm (in the Y direction), i.e. the lens elements L i  that have height H Li  &gt; 4.5 mm (i.e. L 4 , L 5 , L 6 , L 7  and L 8 ) or 4 mm (i.e. L 1  -Ls) may be cut to 4.5 mm or 4 mm respectively. 
     Further explanation on cut lenses is provided in description of  FIG.  2 B . Here T1= 6.95 mm, T 2  = 12.6 mm and V = 6.00 mm. For the non-zero fields shown in lens system  200 ⁗, about 55% - 60% of light reaches image sensor  208 . For the non-zero fields of lens system  200 ⁗ the reduction of light compared to the respective non-zero fields of lens systems  200  and  200 ′ is about 30%. The light reduction is primarily caused by the smaller prism dimensions, not by the D cut of the larger lens elements. The light reduction occurs symmetrically for the upper marginal-ray and the lower marginal-ray. The difference in the amount of light that reaches image sensor  208  for the D cut lens in lens system  200 ⁗ and a non D cut lens amounts to &lt;5%. For the zero fields there is no change in the amount of light entering the camera. The high amount of light entering the camera allows for the camera’s low f/# of 1.0. In other embodiments, f/# may be 0.8-1.2. Lens  204 ″ may be carried by a lens barrel having a lens barrel height of e.g. 4.9 mm - 5.5 mm. 
     According to some examples, at least part of the lens elements can have a shape (profile) in cross-section (in plane X-Y, which is orthogonal to the optical lens system and which generally coincides with the optical axis) which is not circular. In particular, as shown e.g. in  FIG.  7   , at least some of the lens elements which are integrated in lens barrel  710  can have a width W Li  (measured along axis X) which is greater than their height H Li  (measured along axis Y). The height H Li  can correspond to the total height of the lens element (including the mechanical part). In some embodiments, a lens element in lens system  700  may have a symmetry about axis Y and/or about axis X. 
     According to some examples, W Li  is substantially greater than H Li  (for example, by at least a percentage that is equal or greater than 20%, these values being not limiting). In some examples, W Li  may be greater than H Li  by a percentage of 20-70%. Consider lens element L 8  of folded lens  204 ′ as an example: W L8  is greater than H L8  by a percentage of 32%. Another example is lens element L 8  of folded lens  204 ″: W L8  is greater than H L8  by a percentage of 44%. 
     Unless otherwise stated, the use of the expression “and/or” between the last two members of a list of options for selection indicates that a selection of one or more of the listed options is appropriate and may be made. 
     It should be understood that where the claims or specification refer to “a” or “an” element, such reference is not to be construed as there being only one of that element. 
     All patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present disclosure.