Optics is the branch of physics that studies the behaviour and properties of light, including its interactions with matter and the construction of instruments that use or detect it. [1] . Optics usually describes the behaviour of visible, ultraviolet, and infrared light.

An optical system consists of a succession of elements, which may include lenses, mirrors, light sources, detectors, projection screens, reflecting prisms, dispersing devices, filters and thin films, and fibre-optics bundles.

Jan 20, 2025 · An optical system consists of a succession of elements, which may include lenses, mirrors, light sources, detectors, projection screens, reflecting prisms, dispersing devices, filters and thin films, and fibre-optics bundles.

In this article, we will discuss the different components of optical systems and types, including refractive and reflective, diffractive and holographic, and adaptive and nonlinear systems. Without further ado, let’s get started!

Basic principles about designing paraxial systems are introduced. In particular, you can find how to decide specifications, how to select optical elements, how to calculate image shift and how to estimate wavefront errors.

Modern optical systems find many applications in sensing, recording, storage, and transmission of data. These applications stimulate the development of many new optical devices, components, materials, and applied technologies. The basic element of an optical system is the light.

Optical systems, which provide much convenience to our lives and industries, manipulate light to satisfy the particular requirements of end users. For end users and optical engineers, understanding optical systems is of fundamental importance for using, designing, or manufacturing optical systems.