Geometrical Optics

This course consists of two parts: the larger part is about the theoretical basis of geometrical optics, the second part is an introduction to optical system design.

The topics are:

- Fundamentals of geometrical optics (geometrical optics as a limiting case of wave optics, the eikonal function, rays and wave fronts, ray paths in inhomogeneous media)

- Ray tracing (Snells law in vector form, formalism for reflection, refraction and transfer, ray failure, aspherical surfaces)

- The paraxial approximation (paraxial and finite rays, matrix formalism, characteristics of ideal imaging, principal planes, telescopic systems, aperture and field stops, pupils, vignetting, marginal and chief rays, Lagrange invariant, F number, telecentric systems)

- Aberrations (transverse ray aberration, wave front aberration and the relationship between them, power series expansions for optical systems with or without rotational symmetry, rotationally invariant combinations of ray parameters, defocusing, Seidel aberrations. Aberration balancing, caustic, Design aspects: situations when some aberrations are more important than others, aplanatic surfaces, ideal placement of aspheric surfaces.)

- Optical design software, local and global optimization of optical systems.