Abstract

When optical systems are modeled, it is common to use either a ray-based or a wave-based model. However, when the system performance is evaluated, rays are typically traced as part of the process—even when a wave-based measure of performance is required. The ray set that is traced generally includes rays that start at a given set of object points and pass through a given set of points on the aperture stop. The desired locations of these object and aperture points can depend on the application, but for the purposes of this talk, it is assumed that one needs to determine the initial configuration of a ray that starts at a given object point and passes through a given point on the aperture stop.

© 1998 Optical Society of America