Abstract

We present a new formalism for the analysis of dispersive optical systems. This method represents a ray by a four-component vector whose coordinates give the position, slope, frequency, and time, much as a ray is represented by its position and slope in an ABCD matrix analysis. Four by four matrices which describe the propagation of these rays then give a canonical description of the optical system. Applications for these matrices include prism beam expanders, dispersion compensation systems, and cavity design for femtosecond laser systems.

© 1990 Optical Society of America