Paraxial approximation: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 08:14, 3 December 2010

Revision as of 17:15, 6 December 2010

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:<math> \cos \theta \approx 1 - { \theta^2 \over 2 } \ .</math>

The paraxial approximation is fairly accurate for angles under about 10° radians, but is inaccurate for larger angles.

For larger angles it is often necessary to distinguish between [[meridional ray]]s, which lie in a plane containing the [[optical axis]], and [[sagittal ray]]s, which do not.