Detecting an extended light source through a lens

Abstract

We present a Monte Carlo simulation of a cylindrical luminescent volume and a typical lens-detector system. The results of this simulation yield a graphically simple picture of the regions within the cylindrical volume from which this system detects light. Because the cylindrical volume permits large angles of incidence, we use a modification of the thin-lens approximation for ray tracing. We compare simulation results with concepts from imaging optics, and comment on implications for experimental design. Show more