YASH TG~ @bohring_bot

Review on Geometrical Optics (02/26/14)

2.71/2.710 Introduction to Optics –Nick Fang

Reminder: Quiz 1 (closed book, Monday 3/3, in class)

Topics Covered: (Pedrotti Chapter 2, 3, 18)
 Reflection, Refraction, Fermat’s Principle,
 Prisms, Lenses, Mirrors, Stops
 Lens/Optical Systems
 Analytical Ray Tracing, Matrix Methods

Outline:
A. Two General Approaches in Geometrical Optics
B. From “Perfect” imager to paraxial rays, effects of aperture and stops
C. Thin lenses and imaging condition
D. Composite lenses

A. Two General Approaches in Geometric Optics

O1 O2 O3

vs

Both approaches of GO Focused on the ray vector (x, ) (which carry the power flux
(e.g. unit: W/cm2), and its change with distance and as the ray propagates through
optics.

Approach 1. Tracing rays through interfaces (e.g. Matrix Methods)

Approach 2: Given the source and destination, what are the possible paths of
shortest distance? (e.g. Eikonal Equations, Langrangian and Hamiltonian Optics)

-The connection: momentumdescribe the slope of change of the ray in

position x at different time interval (but here we see them in steps along the
optical axis z).

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 YASH TG~ @bohring_bot
Review on Geometrical Optics (02/26/14)
2.71/2.710 Introduction to Optics –Nick Fang

Therefore, the matrix method is similar to Newtonian equations:

(𝑡 + ∆𝑡) (𝑡) + 𝑣∆𝑡
𝑣(𝑡 + ∆𝑡) 𝑣(𝑡) + 𝑎∆𝑡
𝑑𝑈
(𝑎 𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛; 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 𝑈( ), 𝑎 − )
𝑑𝑥

We may define Optical Lagrangian: ℒ 𝑛( , 𝑧)√ +1

𝜕ℒ 𝑑 𝜕ℒ
( )
𝜕 𝑑𝑧 𝜕

LHS: “Potential force”

RHS: “Acceleration”

Or
𝜕𝑛 𝑑 𝑛
√ +1
𝜕 𝑑𝑧 √ + 1

𝜕𝑛 1 𝑑 𝑛
𝜕 √ + 1 𝑑𝑧 √ + 1

Example: Two Interpretation of Refraction

p n n’
p// optical P’
p axis
z x’ '
p
p //
 z’
p
x h
Index n Index n’

interface P
vs

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 YASH TG~ @bohring_bot
Review on Geometrical Optics (02/26/14)
2.71/2.710 Introduction to Optics –Nick Fang

 (momentum)  ‘(momentum)

x X’
(location) (location)
1 2 3

1 2 3

Imaging as a mapping in ray vector spaces

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B. From “Perfect” imager to paraxial rays, apertures and stops

S(x) Refractive
index n

x F

air glass

“Ideal” lens: aspherical! Spherical lens: only good for small 

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𝜃2 𝜃2
Problem: spherical aberration (𝑐𝑜𝑠 ≈ 1 − + + ⋯);
4!
Mitigation: use proper apertures to reduce NA (max)

o Effect of Aperture and field stops

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 YASH TG~ @bohring_bot
Review on Geometrical Optics (02/26/14)
2.71/2.710 Introduction to Optics –Nick Fang

NA

aperture
entrance stop
pupil exit
pupil

FoV

field
stop exit
entrance window
window

Effect of Apertures and stops

 (momentum)  ‘(momentum)

apertures
x X’
(location) (location)

1 2 3 Field stops

1 2 3

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 YASH TG~ @bohring_bot
Review on Geometrical Optics (02/26/14)
2.71/2.710 Introduction to Optics –Nick Fang

C. Thin Lens and Imaging Condition

so si

Imaging condition:

1 1 1
+
𝑠 𝑠 𝑓

Spatial Magnification:
ℎ 𝑠
𝑀≡ 𝐴 1−
ℎ 𝑓
Angular Magnification:
/𝑠 𝑠
𝑀𝛼 ≡ ≈ 𝐷 1−
/𝑠0 𝑓

D. Composite lens and Principal Planes

E. Typical function of composite lens, and corresponding matrix elements

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Commons license. For more information, see http://ocw.mit.edu/fairuse.
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 YASH TG~ @bohring_bot
Review on Geometrical Optics (02/26/14)
2.71/2.710 Introduction to Optics –Nick Fang

O 1st PP 2nd PP

ho C C’ BFP image

object FFP hi
I
EFL EFL
so si

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 YASH TG~ @bohring_bot
Review on Geometrical Optics (02/26/14)
2.71/2.710 Introduction to Optics –Nick Fang

© Pearson Prentice Hall. All rights reserved. This content is excluded from our Creative
Commons license. For more information, see http://ocw.mit.edu/fairuse.

Note: when prisms and mirrors are used in the optical train, consider “unfold” the optical
axis first!

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 YASH TG~ @bohring_bot
Review on Geometrical Optics (02/26/14)
2.71/2.710 Introduction to Optics –Nick Fang

Example 1: Two identical, thin, plano-convex lenses with radii of curvature of 15cm are
situated with their curved surfaces in contact at their centers. The intervening space is
filled with oil, of refractive index n=1.65. The index of the glass is n=1.50. Determine the
focal length of the combination.

Example 2: A Retrofocus Lens. For an object placed at infinity, we need to design a

composite lens system with the following specifications:

- The spacing from the front lens to the rear lens is 120 mm.
- The working distance (from the rear lens to image plane) is 100 mm.
- The effective focal length (EFL) is 60mm.
A. S. L2
L1
Image plane

d=120 mm BFL=100 mm

a) Assuming all elements are thin lenses, determine the focal length of each
individual lens.

b) Locate the principal planes of the lens system.

c) The aperture stop (A. S.) of this system is located at the rear lens. In order for
the system to operate at Numerical Aperture =1/8, what should be the diameter
of the aperture?

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