Open AccessModified ray transfer matrix method for accurate non-sequential ray tracing between arbitrary reflective mirrors
Author(s) -
Biao Cao,
Huajun Yang,
Ping Jiang,
Weinan Caiyang,
Miaofang Zhou,
Shengqian Mao,
Yi Qin
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.393045
Subject(s) - ray tracing (physics) , paraxial approximation , optics , ray transfer matrix analysis , distributed ray tracing , matrix method , transfer matrix method (optics) , reflection (computer programming) , transfer matrix , matrix (chemical analysis) , physics , perpendicular , beam tracing , geometrical optics , computer science , beam (structure) , materials science , geometry , mathematics , composite material , computer vision , programming language
The ray transfer matrix method is widely used for analyzing beam-transmission properties and designing multi-pass systems. In this paper, a modified ray transfer matrix method is proposed for tracing an accurate non-sequential ray in three-dimensional space based on a vector reflection theory. The modified ray transfer matrix method can be utilized to analyze a ray transmitting between arbitrary surfaces, which is not confined to rotational symmetrical structures. There is no need to project rays onto two perpendicular planes, nor to introduce a paraxial approximation in our calculation. Since the length and angle of every ray can be calculated accurately, almost no deviation is accumulated in multi-pass system. The modified ray transfer matrix method can be applied in optical design, especially in the design of multi-pass cavities and multi-pass cells.