title: Classification scheme and nomenclature for refractive-index distributions.
abstract: A classification scheme and nomenclature for inhomogeneous refractive-index distributions is proposed which is consistent, unambiguous, and appeals to intuition. The classification is based on (1) the generic shape of the isoindicial surfaces, (2) the detailed dependence of the index on some position coordinate characterizing the isoindicial surfaces, and (3) whether the index distribution is given by N or N2 as some function of position. The scheme is illustrated by distributions which are of technological or physiological interest.
authors.affiliation: CSIRO Division of Computing Research, P.O. Box 1800, Canberra City, ACT 2601, Australia.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Sands