Ray and Wave Theory of Lenses

The analysis of practical imaging systems is often marred by the use of poor approximations, particularly the small-angle approximation. This book describes clearly how the ray and wave pictures of lens behaviour can be combined and developed to produce a theory capable of dealing with the large angles encountered in real optical systems.Introductory chapters describe the properties of eikonal functions. The wave theory of lenses is then developed, following a discussion of wave behaviour in homogeneous media. A detailed description of aberrations is then given, and the book concludes with applications of the theory in lens design and analysis. Containing many practical insights, as well as exercises and solutions, this book will be of great interest to graduate students taking courses in this field, and to anyone working in optical design and engineering.Walther, A. is the author of 'Ray and Wave Theory of Lenses', published 1995 under ISBN 9780521451444 and ISBN 0521451442.