PARAXIAL THEORY OF PLANAR INTEGRATED SYSTEMS

We discuss the paraxial approximation for optical systems with an obli que orientation of the optical axis. Our investigation provides modifi cations necessary to adapt the parabolic approximation of conventional optics to planar integrated free-space optics. Our results are applie d to a planar imaging system. For a single-lens system we discuss a de sign for arbitrary magnification factors. In addition, we calculate th e space-bandwidth product of the imaging system, considering geometric al constraints of the concept of planar integration. This provides an upper bound for the number of spatial data channels that can be realiz ed with planar optics. (C) 1997 Optical Society of America.