Matrix Methods 0

Matrix Methods
Matrix Methods 0a
Matrix Methods
The Matrix method applied to paraxial optics .. Whoa!!
Matrix Methods 0b
Matrix Methods
As weve seen, determination of cardinal point locations for a thick
lens or system of 2 lenses can be tedious. Imagine a system of 19
lenses (eg modern camera lens)! The use of matrices radically
simplifies the process basis of modern lens design.
The Canon EF 24-105mm Zoom Lens
Matrix Methods 0c
Matrix Methods
In the matrix method (paraxial optics), light rays are represented
by 2-component column vectors and the action of an optical
element (eg lens) is represented by a 2x2 matrix which transforms
the input light ray vector to an output vector. The action of a
system of optical elements can be represented by a matrix product
of all the individual element matrices.
Matrix Methods 0d
Matrix Methods
Matrix methods are also used in charged particle optics where
the trajectory of a beam of ions or electrons can be controlled and
used (eg) for imaging purposes.
Particle trajectories in an ion
lens: a system of metal tubes
held at varying electric potentials.
Electron microscope and image of a spider.
Matrix Methods 1
Matrix Methods
Consider a light path through some arbitrary optical system of
refracting surfaces:
In the figure, the x axis defines the optic axis (OA) and a light ray is
launched at (x
0
, y
0
).
Matrix Methods 2
Matrix Methods
At some point, x , along the optic axis (OA) a light ray along the
path is completely specified by a height (y) and propagation angle
() , both measured with respect to OA.
Matrix Methods 3
Matrix Methods
We define a light ray
column vector (or light
ray column matrix) by:
Height w.r.t. OA
Angle w.r.t. OA
Sign conventions on y and :
OA
Matrix Methods 4
Matrix Methods
As a light ray travels through some optical system, its ray column
vector is transformed.
Refracting
Surface
Reflecting
Surface
OA
Matrix Methods 5
Matrix Methods
1) Translation from A B (ie x
A
x
B
)
2) Refraction at B
3) Translation from B C (ie x
B
x
C
)
4) Reflection at C
5) Translation from C D (ie x
C
x
D
)
Refracting
Surface
Reflecting
Surface
OA
From A D the light ray undergoes:
Matrix Methods 6
Matrix Methods
Each transformation can be represented mathematically by a
matrix multiplication of the light ray vector:
Ray vector at x
A
(Transformed) Ray vector at x
B
2x2 Translation Matrix
Matrix Methods 7
Matrix Methods: The Translation Matrix
Ray vector at x
1
: Ray vector at x
2
:
Matrix Methods 8
Matrix Methods: The Translation Matrix
Geometry relates y
2
and
2
with y
1
and
1
.
(Parallel) Translation along ray path.
Matrix Methods 9
Matrix Methods: The Translation Matrix
For small angles
(paraxial
approximation):
Small angle approximation:
Matrix Methods 10
So we have a system of 2 (linear) equations:
We can write this in matrix form:
Translation (Ray Transfer) Matrix transforms light ray vector at x
1
to light ray vector at x
2
(over a horizontal distance of L
21
) .
Matrix Methods: The Translation Matrix
Matrix Methods 11
Matrix Methods: The Refraction Matrix
Describe the change in direction of a light ray at a (spherical)
refracting surface :
Incident
ray:
Transmitted
ray:
Refraction at deviates the ray but does not displace it (y= y).
Matrix Methods 12
Spherical refracting surface:
Centre of curvature: C
Radius of curvature: R
Matrix Methods: The Refraction Matrix
Matrix Methods 13
Geometry gives:
Matrix Methods: The Refraction Matrix
Matrix Methods 14
Also:
Matrix Methods: The Refraction Matrix
Small
angle
approx.
Matrix Methods 15
Matrix Methods: The Refraction Matrix

Matrix Methods 16
Once again, we get a system of 2 linear equations:
Matrix Methods: The Refraction Matrix
Once again, we write this in matrix form:
Matrix Methods 17
So, at spherical refracting surface , in the paraxial
approximation, we have:
Matrix Methods: The Refraction Matrix
The light ray
transformation is
defined by:
The Refraction (Ray
Transfer) Matrix is
defined by:
Matrix Methods 18
Note: For a planar refracting surface R
Matrix Methods: The Refraction Matrix
Snells Law in paraxial form.
Matrix Methods 19
Consider light incident on a spherical reflecting surface:
Matrix Methods: The Reflection Matrix
As drawn:
R < 0
y =y >0
> 0 > 0
Angle sign
convention:
Matrix Methods 20
Matrix Methods: The Reflection Matrix
Once again,
we produce
a system of
two linear
equations:
Using the law
of reflection:
Reflection
Matrix
Matrix Methods 21
Note: For a planar reflecting surface R
Matrix Methods: The Reflection Matrix
Matrix Methods 22
We can describe the action of an arbitrary system of refracting and
reflecting surfaces by a ray transfer matrix: The System Matrix.
Matrix Methods: The System Matrix
Matrix Methods 23
Matrix Methods: The System Matrix
Consider the light path through some arbitrary system of refracting
surfaces shown below:
Matrix Methods 24
Matrix Methods: The System Matrix
Follow the light path backwards through the system:
Incident Ray: Exiting Ray:
Refraction at
3
Translation from
2
Refraction at
2
Translation from
1
Refraction at
1
Matrix Methods 25
Matrix Methods: The System Matrix
Combine all the steps (order is important!):
or
Exiting ray
(from system)
System Ray Transfer Matrix
Incident ray
(on system)
for this example.
Matrix Methods 26
Matrix Methods: The System Matrix
The incident ray strikes surface
1
first. This is consistent with the
order of the matrix product:
Matrix acts on the incident ray vector first.
Matrix Methods: Lens matrix 27
Thick Lens and Thin Lens Matrices
A lens is a system
of two refracting
surfaces.
Matrix Methods: Lens matrix 28
Thick Lens and Thin Lens Matrices
A lens is a system
of two refracting
surfaces.
Matrix Methods: Lens matrix 29
Thick Lens and Thin Lens Matrices
The System Matrix
for the (thick) lens:
Matrix Methods: Lens matrix 28
Thick Lens and Thin Lens Matrices
Usually, we have a lens embedded in a uniform medium: n
3
= n
1
.
Define n = n
2
/ n
1
:
Matrix Methods: Lens matrix 28
Thick Lens and Thin Lens Matrices
For Thin Lens (in uniform medium) we let t 0 in Thick Lens Matrix.
Using the Lens
Makers Equation:
Or:
Thin Lens Matrix
(uniform medium)
Matrix Methods: Lens matrix 28
Thick Lens and Thin Lens Matrices
Thus, for the Thick Lens, we have:
Matrix Methods: Lens matrix 28
Thick Lens and Thin Lens Matrices
and, for the Thin Lens, we have:
Matrix Methods: Lens matrix 28
Thick Lens and Thin Lens Matrices
Eg. A system of 3
thin lenses: