Analysis and Engineering of Light in Complex Media via Geometrical Optics

Abstract

In this thesis we study different features of Graded-Index Media from the Geometrical Optics point of view and we explore effective techniques of analysis and design of interesting optical Meta-Devices. First, with the help of tensor analysis we generalize ray tracing machinery in a coordinate-free style and we show in detail how ray tracing in anisotropic media in arbitrary coordinate systems and curved spaces can be carried out. Next, a reverse design schematic for designing a metamaterial magnifier with graded negative refractive index for both two-dimensional and three-dimensional cases is proposed. Photorealistic rendering is integrated with traced ray trajectories in example designs to visualize the scattering magnification as well as imaging of the proposed graded-index magnifier with negative index metamaterials. Third, based on the optical behavior of gradient biaxial dielectrics a design method is described in detail which allows one to combine the behavior of up to four totally independent isotropic optical instruments in an overlapping region of space. Finally, the mechanical interaction between light and graded-index media (both isotropic and anisotropic) is presented from the geometrical optics perspective.