Abstract

The idea of using confocal ellipsoids in the design of off axis systems arose in considering a complicated attachment for a space borne telescope. The best approach to the problem was to arrange in tandem pairs of ellipsoids which shared a focus. The work led to this study of the properties of these pairs and to criteria for the establishment of a pseudo axis, and symmetry with respect to this axis for field errors and image errors.

© 1990 Optical Society of America