EE485 Introduction to Photonics

Ray-Transfer Matrix in Paraxial Optics

1. Definition and application
2. Matrices for various optical components
3. Matrices for cascaded optical components
F. L. Pedrotti and L. S. Pedrotti, Introduction to Optics, 2
nd
ed., Chapter 4, Prentice Hall
2 Lih Y. Lin
What is the Ray-Transfer Matrix
y
1 1
1 1
A B
C D
(
(

x
Input
(y
1
,
1
)
y
1

1
Output
(y
2
,
2
)

2
y
2
2 2
2 2
A B
C D
(
(

Optical System
A 2 x 2 matrix that relates the position (y) and angle () of a light
ray with respect to the optical axis at the output of an optical
component to its input.
Valid for paraxial rays only.
The rays are assumed to travel only within a single plane.
The ray-transfer matrix of a cascade of optical components is a
product of the ray-transfer matrices of the individual
components.
3 Lih Y. Lin
The Matrix Method A step-by-step approach
To find the output at Point 7, given the input at Point 0 and the optical system.
Step 8: Refraction matrix by a concave
surface at P4.
Step 9: Translation matrix from P4 to P5.
Step 10: Refraction matrix by a convex
surface at P5.
Step 11: Translation matrix from P5 to P6.
Step 12: Reflection matrix by a concave
mirror at P6.
Step 13: Translation matrix from P6 to P7.
Step 1: Translation matrix from P0 to P1.
Step 2: Refraction matrix by a convex
surface at P1.
Step 3: Translation matrix from P1 to P2.
Step 4: Refraction matrix by a concave
surface at P2.
Step 5: Translation matrix from P2 to P3.
Step 6: Refraction matrix by a convex
surface at P3.
Step 7: Translation matrix from P3 to P4.
(Looks complicated, but with matrices its
not that bad.)
4 Lih Y. Lin
Translation Matrix and Reflection Matrix
Translation in a homogeneous medium
0 1
0 1
1
0 1
y y L
( ( (
=
( ( (


Reflection by a planar mirror
2 1
2 1
1 0
0 1
y y
( ( (
=
( ( (


Reflection by a spherical mirror
1 0
'
2
' 1
y y
R
(
( (
(
=
( (
(


(

Sign convention:
Positive angles for rays pointing upward,
negative angles for rays pointing downward.
R > 0 for convex mirrors, R < 0 for concave
mirrors.
A
B O
5 Lih Y. Lin
Rear-view Mirror as an Example Again
Exercise: If the rear-view mirror has a focal length of 10 meter, determine the position
and the nature of the image of a car that is 1.5-meter tall and 20 meters away.
1
1
1 0
1.5
2
0 1
20
y
(
( (
(
=
( (
(

(

3
3
20
1 0 1.5
40
2
1.5 1
20
40
y
(
(
(
(
(
= (
(
(

(
(

(

Find the intersection of the extended reflection rays.
For ray 1: For ray 3:
(I know all these from ray tracing and the imaging equations.
This doesnt seem to make things easier. Why should I learn this?)
Be patient
6 Lih Y. Lin
Refraction Matrix
Planar boundary
1
2
1 0
'
0
'
y y
n
n
(
( (
(
=
( (
(


(

Spherical boundary
1 0
'
1
1 '
' '
y y
n n
R n n
(
( (
(
=
| |
( (
(

|
(
\ .

7 Lih Y. Lin
Matrices for Thick-lens and Thin-lens
Thick lens
Translation
matrix
2 1
1 0 1 0
1
'
0 1
' '
L L L
L L
t
M n n n n n n
n R n n R n
( (
(
( (
=
(
( (

( (

Refraction matrix
(Second spherical
boundary)
Refraction matrix
(First spherical
boundary)
Thin lens
2 1
1 0 1 0
1 0
0 1
L L L
L L
M n n n n n n
nR n n R n
( (
(
( (
=
(
( (

( (

Lensmakers formula
1 0
1
1
M
f
(
(
=
(

(

8 Lih Y. Lin
The Thick-lens Example Again
n
2
= 1.33
Object
n
1
= 1
R = 5 cm
Step 1:
Define (y
1
,
1
) and (y
2
,
2
).
Step 2:
Write down the ray-transfer
matrix for the thick lens.
Step 3:
Apply the matrix and obtain
(y
1
,
1
) and (y
2
,
2
).
Step 4:
Find out the intersection of
the two output rays.
(y
2
,
2
)
h
(y
2
,
2
)
(y
1
,
1
) (y
1
,
1
)
2 1 2 1 2 1
1 1 2 2
1 0 1 0
1
0 1
t
M n n n n n n
n R n n R n
( (
(
( (
=
(
( (

( (

9 Lih Y. Lin
Summary: Ray-transfer Matrix of
Basic Optical Elements (I)
10 Lih Y. Lin
Summary: Ray-transfer Matrix of
Basic Optical Elements (II)
11 Lih Y. Lin
Matrices of Cascaded Optical Components
0
0
y
(
(

M
1
0 1
0 1
y y
( (
=
( (


1
M
M
2
2 1
2
2 1
y y
( (
=
( (


M
M
3
M
N
N
N
y
(
(

0
2 1
0

N
N
y y A B
C D
( ( (
= = =
( ( (


N
M M M M M
n
f
n
0
Works particularly well with computer programming (MathCAD example).
Det
o
f
n
AD BC
n
= = M A useful tip:
12 Lih Y. Lin
The Special Cases of Zero
A = 0, y
f
= B
0
, independent of y
0
Output plane is the 2
nd
focal plane
D = 0,
f
= Cy
0
, independent of
0
Input plane is the 1
st
focal plane
C = 0,
f
= D
0
, independent of y
0
Telescope. D: Angular magnification
B = 0, y
f
= Ay
0
, independent of
0
Imaging. A: Linear magnification.
13 Lih Y. Lin
Example: Using a Special Case of zero (B = 0)
Find the location and magnification of the output image.
2
1 0
1 16
1 1 16
12 3
1 1.50 1
0 1 0 1 1 2
4(1.50) 1.50
12 3
x x
x
M
(
(
(
( (
(
= =
(
( (
(

(

(

(

2
0 16 0, 24 (cm)
3
x
B x = = =
Magnification 1 1
12
x
m A = = =
(No more nightmare about having to solve the geometric problem of two-ray intersection.)
Exercise:
Using the special case of B = 0, find out the location and magnification of the
output image in the previous MatCAD example.