Paraxial approximation: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Small angle compare error.svg|thumbnail|Plot showing the error associated with the paraxial approximation. N.B. In this plot the cosine is approximated by <math>1-\theta^2/2</math>.]]

In [[geometric optics]], the '''paraxial approximation''' is a [[small-angle approximation]] used in [[Gaussian optics]] and [[Ray tracing (physics)|ray tracing]] of light through an optical system (such as a [[lens (optics)|lens]]).<ref name=Greivenkamp>

{{cite isbn | 0819452947 | pages=19–20}}

<ref>{{cite bookweb

| first=John E.

| last=Greivenkamp

| year=2004

| title=Field Guide to Geometrical Optics

| publisher=SPIE

| others=SPIE Field Guides vol. '''FG01'''

| isbn=0-8194-5294-7

| pages=19–20 }}</ref><ref>

{{cite web

| last=[[Eric W. Weisstein|Weisstein]]

| first=Eric W.