Abstract

General formulas for the energy flux density and the caustic surfaces formed by light rays propagating in a gradient-index medium are derived. For the radial gradient index of refraction, $n^2(r)=N_2^0-b^2{r}^2$, where N₀ and b are constants, analytical expressions are presented for the energy density along the ray path in a medium and for the caustic surfaces produced by the medium. As an application, the caustic surfaces formed by collimated light rays incident upon a converging Wood lens are analyzed.

© 1980 Optical Society of America

Illuminance and caustic surfaces in multi-interface variable-index media. 2: Application to radial dependent variable-index singlet

Donald G. Burkhard
Appl. Opt. 19(21) 3694-3703 (1980)

Illuminance and caustic surfaces in multi-interface variable-index media. 1: Theory

Donald G. Burkhard
Appl. Opt. 19(21) 3682-3693 (1980)

Illuminance and caustic surfaces in multi-interface variable-index media. 3: Source imbedded in variable-index medium, light reflected or refracted by multiple surfaces

Donald G. Burkhard
Appl. Opt. 19(21) 3704-3713 (1980)

Analytical illuminance and caustic surface calculations in geometrical optics

David L. Shealy
Appl. Opt. 15(10) 2588-2596 (1976)

Generalized ray tracing, caustic surfaces, generalized bending, and the construction of a novel merit function for optical design

Rong-Seng Chang and Orestes N. Stavroudis
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 70(8) 976-985 (1980)