Abstract

A detailed theoretical treatment is given of a new algebraic ray tracing scheme for tracing rays from an object point through any axially symmetrical optical system, including catadioptric systems, which contain spherical surfaces only. An explanation is given of the coordinate systems used which effect considerable simplifications both in the theory and its application. Also presented is a fully worked example of a skew ray trace through a wide angle system. An electronic computer has been programed for this ray trace and details of this are given. A predetermined scan interval is given to the machine which then proceeds automatically to trace from an object point rays spaced at this interval over the first polar tangent plane. For pencils of all obliquities, vignetting is carried out by the machine, which produces as one of the results the apparent shape of the entrance pupil.

© 1960 Optical Society of America

Optical Aberration Coefficients. VI. On Computations Involving Coordinates Lying Partly in the Image Space

H. A. Buchdahl
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 50(6) 534-539 (1960)

Proximate ray tracing and optical aberration coefficients

George W. Hopkins
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Use of Optical Aberration Coefficients in Optical Design

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Optical Aberration Coefficients. VII. The Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Deformation and Retardation of the Wave Front

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J. Opt. Soc. Am. 50(6) 539-544 (1960)

Automatic Computation of Spot Diagrams*

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