Paraxial approximation: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 17:32, 16 May 2011

Revision as of 11:57, 26 May 2011

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

The paraxial approximation is fairly accurate within 0.5% for angles under about 10°{{Citation needed|date=May 2011}}, but isits inaccuracy grows inaccuratesignificantly 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.