Computation of the disk of least confusion for conic mirrors

Appl Opt. 2004 Nov 20;43(33):6080-9. doi: 10.1364/ao.43.006080.

Abstract

We use geometrical optics to compute, in an exact way and by using the third-order approximation, the disk of least confusion (DLC) or the best image produced by a conic reflector when the point source is located at any position on the optical axis. In the approximate case we obtain analytical formulas to compute the DLC. Furthermore, we apply our equations to particular examples to compare the exact and approximate results.