title: Simplified ray tracing in cylindrical systems.
abstract: A simplified method of ray tracing in cylindrical optical systems of arbitrary cross section is described. The technique involves the projection of a ray's path onto a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the axis of translational symmetry. It is shown that this projected path obeys a generalized form of Snell's law, enabling application of conventional 2-D ray tracing methods. The approach is illustrated by demonstrating the optical characteristics of the recently patented prism light guide.
authors.affiliation: University of British Columbia, Physics Department, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1W5.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Whitehead