Geometry-invariant GRIN lens: finite ray tracing

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Biomedical Engineering
• Computational Modeling

Background:

• The human and animal crystalline lens exhibits complex refractive index distributions.
• Accurate modeling of the crystalline lens is crucial for understanding eye optics and developing corrective methods.
• Existing models may lack the flexibility to represent diverse lens structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To derive and analyze a geometry-invariant gradient refractive index lens (GIGL) model.
• To develop an analytical method for finite ray tracing through the GIGL model.
• To evaluate the GIGL model's potential for simulating continuous and layered lens structures.

Main Methods:

• Derivation of the refractive index distribution as a function of Cartesian coordinates using an adjustable power-law profile.
• Development of a layer-by-layer finite ray tracing analytical method.
• Calculation and comparison of aberrations using finite and paraxial ray tracing.

Main Results:

• An analytical expression for the GIGL model's refractive index distribution was obtained.
• Finite ray tracing aberrations were calculated and compared with paraxial approximations.
• The GIGL model demonstrated potential in representing both continuous and shell-like layered structures.

Conclusions:

• The GIGL model offers a flexible and adaptable approach to simulating crystalline lens optics.
• The developed finite ray tracing method is valuable for analyzing complex refractive index distributions, including non-analytical ones.
• The GIGL model and its analysis method can aid in eye reconstruction and optical simulations.