Skip to main content
  • Book
  • © 2016

Geometric Optics

Theory and Design of Astronomical Optical Systems Using Mathematica®

Birkhäuser
  • Provides the mathematical background needed to design many optical combinations that are used in astronomical telescopes and cameras
  • Presents a simpler approach to third-order aberration theory based on Fermat’s principle and the use of stigmatic paths instead of rays
  • Numerous diagrams, worked-out examples, and exercises for further practice of key concepts are included throughout the book
  • Each optical combination analyzed is accompanied by a downloadable Mathematica® notebook that automates its third-order design, eliminating the need for lengthy calculations
  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 44.99 USD 99.00
55% discount Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 59.99 USD 129.99
54% discount Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 59.99 USD 129.99
54% discount Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check for access.

Table of contents (13 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xii
  2. Gaussian Optics

    • Antonio Romano, Roberto Cavaliere
    Pages 23-51
  3. Fermat’s Principle and Third-Order Aberrations

    • Antonio Romano, Roberto Cavaliere
    Pages 53-89
  4. About Higher Order Aberrations

    • Antonio Romano, Roberto Cavaliere
    Pages 91-105
  5. Newtonian and Cassegrain Telescopes

    • Antonio Romano, Roberto Cavaliere
    Pages 107-118
  6. Cameras for Astronomy

    • Antonio Romano, Roberto Cavaliere
    Pages 119-144
  7. Compound Cassegrain Telescopes

    • Antonio Romano, Roberto Cavaliere
    Pages 145-161
  8. Doublets and Triplets

    • Antonio Romano, Roberto Cavaliere
    Pages 163-173
  9. Other Optical Combinations

    • Antonio Romano, Roberto Cavaliere
    Pages 175-195
  10. Fermat’s Principle and Wave Fronts

    • Antonio Romano, Roberto Cavaliere
    Pages 197-220
  11. Hamiltonian Optics

    • Antonio Romano, Roberto Cavaliere
    Pages 221-245
  12. Principal Functions and Primary Aberrations

    • Antonio Romano, Roberto Cavaliere
    Pages 247-263
  13. Introduction to Optics in Anisotropic Media

    • Antonio Romano, Roberto Cavaliere
    Pages 265-271
  14. Back Matter

    Pages 273-289

About this book

This text, now in its second edition, presents the mathematical background needed to design many optical combinations that are used in astronomical telescopes and cameras.  It uses a novel approach to third-order aberration theory based on Fermat’s principle and the use of particular optical paths (called stigmatic paths) instead of rays, allowing for easier derivation of third-order formulae.  Each optical combination analyzed is accompanied by a downloadable Mathematica® notebook that automates its third-order design, eliminating the need for lengthy calculations.


The essential aspects of an optical system with an axis of rotational symmetry are introduced first, along with a development of Gaussian optics from Fermat’s principal.  A simpler approach to third-order monochromatic aberrations based on both Fermat’s principle and stigmatic paths is then described, followed by a new chapter on fifth-order aberrations and their classification.  Several specific optical devices are discussed and analyzed, including the Newtonian and Cassegrain telescopes; the Schmidt, Wright, Houghton, and Maksutov cameras; the Klevtsov telescope; the Baker-Schmidt flat-field camera; the Buchroeder camera; and, new in this edition,  the Baker-Nunn camera and optical combinations with sub-corrector and Petzval objectives.  Finally, the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations of geometric optics and Seidel’s third-order aberration theory are presented, and a new chapter considers optics in anisotropic media.  Numerous diagrams, worked-out examples, and exercises for further practice of key concepts are included throughout the book.


Geometric Optics is an excellent reference for advanced graduate students, researchers, and practitioners in applied mathematics, engineering, astronomy, and astronomical optics. It can also be used as a supplementary textbook for graduate-level courses inastronomical optics, optical design, optical engineering, programming with Mathematica®, or geometric optics.






Reviews

“This is a comprehensive book on a variety of phenomena and basic elements of geometric optics with application in constructing astronomical optical telescopes. … The clearly written text … is a useful reference not only for professional researchers in the field of geometrical optics but can also be interesting to graduate students and teachers at college level.” (Vladimir Čadež, zbMATH 1364.78004, 2017)

Authors and Affiliations

  • Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, Dipartimento di Matematica e Applicazioni “R. Caccioppoli”, Napoli, Italy

    Antonio Romano

  • Mercato San Severino, Italy

    Roberto Cavaliere

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 44.99 USD 99.00
55% discount Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 59.99 USD 129.99
54% discount Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 59.99 USD 129.99
54% discount Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access