Absolute instruments and perfect imaging in geometrical optics

TL;DR

This paper explores the design and properties of spherically symmetric absolute optical instruments capable of perfect imaging, introducing new device configurations including a lens with a homogeneous region and moderate refractive index.

Contribution

It presents a general method for designing absolute instruments and proposes several novel devices with practical features.

Findings

Derived properties of absolute instruments for perfect imaging

Developed a general design method for such devices

Proposed new absolute instruments, including a lens with a homogeneous region

Abstract

We investigate imaging by spherically symmetric absolute instruments that provide perfect imaging in the sense of geometrical optics. We derive a number of properties of such devices, present a general method for designing them and use this method to propose several new absolute instruments, in particular a lens providing a stigmatic image of an optically homogeneous region and having a moderate refractive index range.