Paraxial approximation
In geometric optics, the paraxial approximation is a small-angle approximation used in Gaussian optics and ray tracing of light through an optical system.
A paraxial ray is a ray which makes a small angle to the optical axis of the system, and lies close to the axis throughout the system. Generally, this allows three important approximations for calculation of the ray's path, namely:
The paraxial approximation is used in Gaussian optics and first-order ray tracing. Ray transfer matrix analysis is one method that uses the approximation.
In some cases, the second-order approximation is also called "paraxial". The approximations above for sine and tangent do not change for the "second-order" paraxial approximation, while for cosine the second order approximation is
The second-order approximation is accurate within 0.5% for angles under about 10°, but its inaccuracy grows significantly for larger angles.
For larger angles it is often necessary to distinguish between meridional rays, which lie in a plane containing the optical axis, and sagittal rays, which do not.
