Fresnel Lens Are Classified By Size And Various Focal Lengths Editorial Photo

n 1822 French civil engineer Augustin-Jean Fresnel invented a new type of lens that created a much stronger light beam. The catadioptric lens shape has outer prismatic elements that use internal reflection as well as refraction to capture more light from the light source and add it to the beam, making it visible at great distances. Fresnel's design produces large aperture, short focal length lenses without the added mass and volume needed by conventional lens design. Fresnel designed six orders of lighthouse lenses based on their size and focal length. These lens are located at the Maine Lighthouse Museum in Rockland, Maine.