A system of transfer coefficients for use in the design of lens systems: I. The general theory of the transfer coefficients

Abstract

A detailed account is given of a series of differential transfer coefficients which specify the changes in the path of a ray in the final image-space resulting from small changes in surface curvature, refractive index and axial separation of successive surfaces, made within the system. Extending the method to the intersection points of the typical rays of a standard trigonometrical trace, transfer coefficients are derived which specify the rate of change of the tangential aberrations with curvature, refractive index and axial separation at each surface of the system. In particular, coefficients are developed which relate the chromatic aberrations in a very simple manner to the dispersions of the glasses of the system.