Numerical ray tracing method for an eccentric radial gradient-index rod lens

We propose a ray tracing method for a radial gradient-index (GRIN) rod lens with an eccentric refractive index distribution. Radial GRIN rod lenses are typically treated as being rotationally symmetric around the optical axis. However, there are several eccentricities of the refractive index distribution in the transverse section, and an eccentricity point is the position of the highest refractive index with respect to the rod axis. Some manufacturing techniques can introduce these eccentricities in the refractive index distribution, and the effect of eccentricity on the lens performance cannot be neglected in some cases. Ray tracing in an eccentric refractive index distribution is possible by extending the conventional method. This allows analysis of the imaging performance of a radial GRIN rod lens with an eccentric refractive index distribution. Since the proposed method builds on the conventional formalism for a rotationally symmetric refractive index distribution, it is simple and easy to implement. (C) 2014 Optical Society of America