EP 325

This class provides the foundation of geometrical optics for the understanding of complex optics in optical instruments. Topics include image formation, curved optical surfaces, thin and thick lenses, cardinal points and Gaussian optics, apertures, paraxial ray tracing, matrix methods and third-order aberrations. Classical instrumentation design is studied including Newtonian and Cassegrain telescopes, astronomical cameras and compound systems. The class considers ray tracing methods with software packages and techniques for design with realistic computationally difficult problems. Introduction to light interference and diffraction is given.