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Re: optics




The matrix-based ray tracing is based on paraxial approximation. The
results are not better than by old methods. But all can be comuterized.

Ludwik,
I hate to disagree with you, but the advantage of the matrix method
in optical design is not only that you can "easily" computerize it, but that
you can abandon the paraxial assumption, and follow "individual" rays
through the lens system. This has made possible the rapid advances that have
occurred in optical systems in this half of the century. An optical designer
used to measure the number of rays he could trace through a system per day,
now it is measured in microseconds.

Gary

Gary Karshner

St. Mary's University
San Antonio, Texas
KARSHNER@STMARYTX.EDU