Ray Tracing

From Lumenlab

Ray tracing is a graphical method of calculating image distances and sizes. Although there are software packages available that draw ray traces it is helpful to understand how to do it manually. Here is a brief description of some of the terms used for ray tracing.

Vertical Plane: This is a line drawn vertically through the centre of the lens. Multi-element lenses such as a triplet lens are drawn as a single lens.

Principal Axis: This is a line drawn horizontally though the centre of the lens.

Focal Length: This is how much power or the strength of the lens.

Focal Point: A lens has two focal points, one on each side of the lens and they will be located on the principal axis at the focal length from the vertical plane.

Incidence: Means light that is entering or striking a surface.

2. Identifying the Object and The Image 3. How the object's position effects the image 4. Drawing the Rays

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Continue to Un-Split Optics or go back to Light Flow.