Physics Formulae/Equations of Light

Lead Article: Tables of Physics Formulae

This article is a summary of the laws, principles, defining quantities, and useful formulae in the analysis of photonics.

Definitions, Quantities
Definitions

For conveinece in the table below, "r-surface" refers to reflecting/refracting surface. This is not a standard abbreviation.

Sign Conventions and Implications

There are different sign conventions which can be used, perhaps the the simplist to understand and recall is the one below.

The general pattern is the following:

Distances for real rays of light actually traversed are positve

Distances for apparent (i.e. virtual) rays of light not actually traversed are negative.

Distances are measured to the the apex of the r-surface on the optic axis.

Laws of Geomtric Optics
Mirrors

General Media

Lenses

Prisms