In geometric optics, the paraxial approximation is an approximation used in ray tracing of light through an optical system (such as a lens). See also list of optical topics. ... An approximation is an inexact representation of something that is still close enough to be useful. ... A ray traced scene. ... A lens is a device for either concentrating or diverging light, usually formed from a piece of shaped glass. ...
A paraxial ray is one which makes a small angle (θ) to the optical axis of the system, and lies close to the axis throughout the system. Generally, this allows the approximation (for θ in radians) sin(θ)≈tan(θ)≈θ and cos(θ)≈1 for calculation of the ray's path. In telecommunication, the term optical axis has the following meanings: 1. ... See Radian (band) for the Austrian trio. ...
The approximation is known as first-order raytracing or Gaussian optics. Ray transfer matrix analysis is one method that uses the approximation. Ray transfer matrix analysis (also known as ABCD matrix analysis) is a type of ray tracing technique used in the design of some optical systems, particularly lasers. ...
Optics (appearance or look in ancient Greek) is a branch of physics that describes the behavior and properties of light and the interaction of light with matter.
The field of optics usually describes the behavior of visible, infrared, and ultraviolet light; however because light is an electromagnetic wave, analogous phenomena occur in X-rays, microwaves, radio waves, and other forms of electromagnetic radiation.
The "ray" in geometric optics is an abstract object which is perpendicular to the wavefronts of the actual optical waves.
In optics, a Gaussian beam is a beam of electromagnetic radiation whose transverse electric field and intensity (irradiance) distributions are described by Gaussian functions.
When refracted by a lens, a Gaussian beam is transformed into another Gaussian beam (characterized by a different set of parameters), which explains why it is a convenient, widespread model in laser optics.
The solution, in the form of a Gaussian function, represents the complex amplitude of the electric field, which propagates along with the corresponding magnetic field as an electromagnetic wave in the beam.
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