Abstract
The behavior of orthotomic systems of rays, rays associated with a system of wavefronts, is analyzed from the point of view of classical geometrical optics. The rays themselves are described in terms of the ray equation derived from Fermat’s principle. A condition for an aggregate of rays to comprise an orthotomic system is found. Some consequences of this condition on the geometric properties of wavefronts are found. The resemblance of some of these to the Maxwell equations is noted.
© 1971 Optical Society of America
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