New geometrical method for the design of optical systems

A completely new geometrical method of optical design is proposed using the combined concepts of the phase front of zero distance and the inversion theorem of Damien. Ray tracing is not used and the method is applied to the design of two surface reflecting and refracting systems with sources at finite or infinite distances. When extended, the method can apply to caustics and other forms of extended source distribution. The process is illustrated for fundamental systems and the application to shaped-beam antennas is outlined.