Interface Matrix

Matrix Description of Ray Propagation

J. C. Daly
October 1, 2016

As a paraxial ray propagates through an optical system we want to determine its position and slope relative to the optical axis. A 2x2 matrix is used to calculate ray position and slope based on the ray position and slope at a previous position. The system is broken down into elements that can be describes using simple ABCD matrices.

(1)

Figure 1 Three common elements of ray propagation are shown; (a) propagation through a space, (b) propagation through a thin lens, and (c) propagation through a spherical dielectric interface.

Propagation through space

Propagation through space is shown in Figure 1(a) and is described by the following matrix equation.

(2)

The slope of a ray propagating through space does not change. r '₂ = r '₁. The distance of the ray from the optical axis changes by an amount proportional to its slope and the distance traveled.

Propagation through a thin lens

Ray propagation through a thin lens is shown in Figure 1(b) and described by the following matrix equation.

(3)

When a ray propagates through a thin lens, its distance from the optical axis does not change. A thin lens makes a negative change in the ray's slope by an amount proportional to the distance of the ray from the optical axis. The change in slope is the ray displacement from the axis divided by the negative of the lenses focal length. This defines focal length. Horizontal rays are bent toward the axis and pass through it at a distance from the lens equal to the focal length.

Propagation through a spherical dielectric interface

The physical nature of lenses can be understood by considering the propagation of rays through a spherical dielectric interface as shown in Figure 1(c) and in Figure 2. Propagation through a spherical dielectric interface is described by the following matrix equation.

(4)

where n₁ us the index of refraction on the left side of the interface and n₂ is the index of refraction to the right of the interface.

Equation 4 can be obtained by considering Figure 2 showing the spherical dielectric interface. The distance of the ray from the optical axis does not change at the interface, but the slope does.

Figure 2 Ray propagation through a spherical dielectric interface is shown. A ray propagates from A to P in one medium and from P to B in a second medium. R is the radius of curvature of the spherical interface.
A ray propagates from A to P in medium 1 and from P to B in medium 2. In medium 1 the ray slope is,