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    This chapter discusses characteristic functions in geometrical optics. It introduces the point characteristic function V, which represents the optical path length between two points in space as a function of their coordinates. V is defined by the refractive index distribution of the optical medium. The point characteristic fully describes the propagation of light rays through an isotropic but inhomogeneous medium within the approximations of geometrical optics.

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    This chapter discusses characteristic functions in geometrical optics. It introduces the point characteristic function V, which represents the optical path length between two points in space as a function of their coordinates. V is defined by the refractive index distribution of the optical medium. The point characteristic fully describes the propagation of light rays through an isotropic but inhomogeneous medium within the approximations of geometrical optics.

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    This chapter discusses characteristic functions in geometrical optics. It introduces the point characteristic function V, which represents the optical path length between two points in space as a function of their coordinates. V is defined by the refractive index distribution of the optical medium. The point characteristic fully describes the propagation of light rays through an isotropic but inhomogeneous medium within the approximations of geometrical optics.

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    بلال لاشين
    This chapter discusses characteristic functions in geometrical optics. It introduces the point characteristic function V, which represents the optical path length between two points in space as a function of their coordinates. V is defined by the refractive index distribution of the optical medium. The point characteristic fully describes the propagation of light rays through an isotropic but inhomogeneous medium within the approximations of geometrical optics.

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    of 1

    CHAPTER IV

    G E O M E T R I C A L T H E O R Y OF
    OPTICAL IMAGING

    4.1 T H E C H A R A C T E R I S T I C F U N C T I O N S OF H A M I L T O N

    I N § 3.1 it was shown that, within the approximations of geometrical optics, the field
    may be characterized by a single scalar function Sf(r). Since S?(r) satisfies the eikonal
    equation ( 1 5 ) in § 3.1, this function is fully specified by the refractive index function
    n(r) alone, together with the appropriate boundary conditions.
    Instead of the function £f(r) closely related functions known as characteristic
    functions of the medium are often used. They were introduced into optics by W . R .
    H A M I L T O N , in a series of classical papers.* Although on account of algebraic com-
    plexity it is impossible to determine the characteristic functions explicitly for all but
    the simplest media, HAMILTON'S methods nevertheless form a very powerful tool for
    systematic analytical investigations of the general properties of optical systems.
    In discussing the properties of these functions and their applications, an isotropic
    but generally heterogeneous medium will be assumed.

    4.1.1 The point characteristic


    Let (x0, y0, z0) and (xli yv % ) be respectively the coordinates of two points P 0 and Px
    each referred to a different set of mutually parallel, rectangular axesf (Fig. 4 . 1 ) . I f
    the two points are imagined to be joined b y all possible curves, there will, in general,
    be some amongst them, the optical rays, which satisfy FERMAT'S principle. Assume
    for the present that not more than one ray joins any two arbitrary points. The
    characteristic function V, or the point characteristic, is then defined as the optical
    length [Ρ0Ρχ] of the ray between the two points, considered as a function of their co-
    ordinates,

    nds. (1)

    I t is important to note that this function is defined by the medium.

    * Sir W . R . H A M I L T O N , Trans. Roy. Irish Acad., 1 5 (1828), 69; ibid., 1 6 (1830), 1; ibid., 1 6
    (1831), 93; ibid., 1 7 (1837), 1. Reprinted in The Mathematical Papers of Sir W. R. Hamilton,
    Vol. I (Geometrical Optics), edited by A . W . C O N W A Y and J. L . S Y N G E (Cambridge University
    Press, 1931).
    Many years later B R U N S independently considered similar functions which he called eikonals.
    ( H . B R U N S , Abh. Kgl. Sachs. Ges. Wiss., math-phys. Kl., 2 1 (1895), 323.) As already mentioned on
    p. 112, this term has come to be used in a wider sense. The characteristic functions of HAMILTON
    are themselves often referred to as eikonals.
    A useful introduction to HAMILTON'S methods is a monograph by J. L . SYNGE, Geometrical
    Optics (Cambridge University Press, 1937). The relationship between the work of H A M I L T O N and
    B R U N S was discussed by F . K L E I N in Z. Math. Phys., 46 (1901), 376, and Ges. Math. Abh., 2 (1922),
    603, C. CARATHÉODORY, Geometrische Optik (Berlin, Springer, 1937), p. 4, and in a polemic between
    M. HERZBERGER and J. L . S Y N G E , J. Opt. Soc. Amer., 2 7 (1937), 75, 133, 138.
    t The use of two reference systems has some advantages, since P0 and Px are often situated in
    different regions, namely, the object- and image-spaces of an optical system.
    PO 6th Ed. - F 133

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