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Advanced geometrical optics, by P. D. Lin: Scope: textbook, reference. Level:

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DOI: 10.1080/00107514.2017.1312544

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 Contemporary Physics

ISSN: 0010-7514 (Print) 1366-5812 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tcph20

Advanced geometrical optics, by P. D. Lin

R. Barry Johnson

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Contemporary Physics, DOI: 10.1080/00107514.2017.1312544

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 Contemporary Physics, 2017
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00107514.2017.1312544
BOOK REVIEW
Advanced geometrical optics, by P. D. Lin,
Singapore, Springer, 2017, 460 pp., £159.99
(hardback), ISBN 9789811022982. Scope: textbook,
reference. Level: general readership, advanced
undergraduate, scientist.
The first truly scientific book on geometrical optics was by
Molyneux [1] in 1690, and over 400 years later, geometri-
cal optics remains an active area of investigation. Advanced
Geometrical Optics is a welcomed update and expansion of
Professor P. D. Lin’s earlier book New Computational Methods
for Geometrical Optics [2]. The book is divided into three
parts. The first part presents a fundamental discussion of
paraxial optics, primary (third-order) aberrations, and skew
ray tracing which is provided to form a solid base for under-
standing Parts II and III. Matrix representations are used
throughout the book that affords a clarity for the reader over
that of simply presenting equations. Matrices in geometri-
cal optics have been used for many decades and were pop-
ularised by Brouwer in 1964 [3]. Professor Lin has greatly
expanded the breadth and scope of using matrix representa-
tion in geometrical optics. The figures throughout the book
are of excellent quality, and the liberal use of colour in the
figures will aid readers in rapid understanding of the mate-
rial. A variety of examples to illustrate topics are contained
throughout the book.
Part I, constituting about 40% of the book, discusses skew-
ray tracing of both spherical and aspherical surfaces, axially
and non-axially symmetric optical components such as lenses
and prisms, and use of translation and rotation matrices.
Ray tracing for paraxial optics is given in some detail, as
is a comprehensive presentation of the cardinal points and
their application in imaging equations. A brief introduction
to the primary aberrations of symmetrical optical systems
is included. Methods to compute the point spread function
(PSF) and modulation transfer function (MTF) are given, and
additional methods using differential means are contained in
Parts II and III. First- and second-order partial derivatives
of a ray vector and the basics of optimization are introduced
to provide a foundation for the new material in final parts
of the book.
In optical design optimization, finite-difference methods
are commonly used to compute the first-order derivatives
of ray vectors with respect to parametric changes. In Part II,
Professor Lin presents a comprehensive and robust approach
to computing Jacobian matrices (first-order derivatives)
for optical systems containing non-aspherical boundary
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surfaces. Additional development of methods to compute the
geometrical PSF and MTF are provided. Significant attention
to prism analysis and design is given with helpful drawings
of a number of prisms. The final topics in Part II are (i) the
determination of the wavefront shape, (ii) optical path length
(OPL) of rays, and (iii) the associated Jacobian matrix that is
proposed as an improved method to use in the performance
of optical design optimization.
The second-order derivative matrices of a ray and its
OPL are discussed in Part III. Many optimization pro-
grammes used for optical design incorporate full rank and
order, diagonal only, or pseudo second-order derivative
matrices. Professor Lin uses a differential geometry-based
method to produce a Hessian matrix containing all matrix
elements and presents a compressive explanation of its
development and some examples. With the speed and
numerical accuracy of current desktop computers, this
reviewer is not aware of any commercially available lens
design or optical modelling programme that suffers from
derivative or optical path difference computational inaccu-
racies. Still, Professor Lin’s approach merits consideration
in the never-ending desire for improvements in optical
design software.
The negative aspect of this book is the lack of an index
which, in this reviewer’s opinion, is an essential element of
any scientific or engineering book. Nevertheless, Advanced
Geometrical Optics could be used in teaching graduate and
advanced-undergraduate students and is enthusiastically rec-
ommended for those interested in geometrical optics, optical
design, and optimization.
References
  [1] Molyneux W of Dublin Esq. Dioptrica nova, a treatise of dioptricks.
2nd ed. London: Printed for Benj. Tooke; 1709. N.B. First edition
approved for printing in 1690.
 [2] Lin PD. New computational methods for geometrical optics.
Singapore: Springer; 2014.
 [3]  Brouwer W. Matrix methods in optical instrument design. New York
(NY): WA Benjamin; 1964.
R. Barry Johnson
Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical University, Normal,
Alabama, USA
barry.johnson@aamu.edu
© 2017 R. Barry Johnson
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00107514.2017.1312544