Accurate calculation of Narcissus signatures by using finite ray tracing

In scanning IR systems with cooled quantum detectors, the Narcissus signature usually has a limiting effect on the perceived image quality, and so it is important that it be assessed accurately before manufacture. We describe a new finite ray-tracing method in which each ray represents an equal amount of flux falling on the detector. Such methods require many rays; therefore a full error treatment is given that allows designers to estimate the necessary number of rays to obtain the required accuracy and also to calculate the standard deviation of the error in the final computed result.