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SUBSCRIPTIONS & PRICING
GENERAL INFORMATION
chapter 1, Law of Refraction: The Foundation of Geometrical Optics
Chapter Contents
- 1.1 Introduction
- 1.2 Fermat's Principle
- 1.2.1 Historic remarks
- 1.2.2 Derivation
- 1.3 Snell and the Lens
- 1.4 Graphical Ray Tracing
- 1.5 Paraxial Ray Tracing
- 1.5.1 Equations, symbols, and sign conventions
Excerpt
1.1 Introduction
Snell's law of refraction is the fundamental law that governs geometrical optics. We begin, therefore, with the proof of this basic rule, as it has been verified by Fermat. We then demonstrate how this surprisingly simple law can be applied to graphical ray tracing. With the equations for paraxial ray tracing, we provide the tool required for the initial optical design phase. These equations are sufficient to determine the third-order aberrations, which will be used throughout the book.
1.2 Fermat's Principle
1.2.1 Historic remarks
Pierre de Fermat was a jurist and mathematician. He pursued his mathematical avocation mostly for his own enjoyment. He formulated his famous theorem in 1657. It declares that light takes the path that requires the least time. His reasoning led to the proof of the law of refraction, which Wilibrord Snel van Royen found experimentally some 20 years earlier. This law of refraction is the foundation of geometrical optics and is stated by
©2009 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers
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