Paraxial ray tracing in inhomogeneous optical media

A. A. Rangwala; A. M. Ghodgaonkar; R. D. Tewari

doi:10.1117/1.601937

Abstract

Starting from the variational form of Fermat's principle, we identify the optical Lagrangian and obtain the standard form of the ray equations in inhomogeneous optical media. Specializing to cylindrically symmetric media, we define the paraxial ray approximation through the exact first integral of the ray equation. This enables us not only to relate the constants of integration to the boundary conditions at the entry point of the ray into the medium, but more importantly furnishes a systematic way of introducing corrections to the paraxial approximation. We also exhibit power-law refractive index profiles, which result in periodic ray trajectories.

Citation Download Citation

A. A. Rangwala, A. M. Ghodgaonkar, R. D. Tewari, "Paraxial ray tracing in inhomogeneous optical media," Optical Engineering 37(3), (1 March 1998). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.601937

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

PERSONAL SIGN IN
Full access may be available with your subscription

Email or Username Forgot your username?

Password Forgot your password?

Show

Remember Email/Username on this computer

Remember Password

No SPIE account? Create an account
or Institutional Sign In via Shibboleth

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $20.00

Non-members: $25.00 ADD TO CART

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years