Significance: An advanced understanding of optical design is necessary to create optimal systems but this is rarely taught as part of general curriculum. Compounded by the fact that professional optical design software tools have a prohibitive learning curve, this means that neither knowledge nor tools are easily accessible. Aim: In this tutorial, we introduce a raytracing module for Python, originally developed for teaching optics with ray matrices, to simplify the design and optimization of optical systems. Approach: This module is developed for ray matrix calculations in Python. Many important concepts of optical design that are often poorly understood such as apertures, aperture stops, and field stops are illustrated. Results: The module is explained with examples in real systems with collection efficiency, vignetting, and intensity profiles. Also, the optical invariant, an important benchmark property for optical systems, is used to characterize an optical system. Conclusions: This raytracing Python module will help improve the reader’s understanding of optics and also help them design optimal systems.

中文翻译：

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显微镜实用射线追踪的工具和教程

意义：对光学设计的深入理解对于创建最佳系统是必要的，但这很少作为普通课程的一部分进行教授。再加上专业光学设计软件工具的学习曲线令人望而却步，这意味着知识和工具都不容易获得。目标：在本教程中，我们介绍了一个用于 Python 的光线追踪模块，最初是为使用光线矩阵教授光学而开发的，以简化光学系统的设计和优化。方法：该模块是为 Python 中的射线矩阵计算而开发的。许多光学设计的重要概念通常被人们知之甚少，例如孔径、孔径光阑和视场光阑。结果：该模块通过实际系统中的示例进行了解释，其中包括收集效率、渐晕和强度配置文件。此外，光学不变量是光学系统的重要基准属性，用于表征光学系统。结论：这个光线追踪 Python 模块将有助于提高读者对光学的理解，并帮助他们设计最佳系统。