Ray transfer matrix analysis

Imagine you have a ball and a ramp. When you roll the ball down the ramp, it follows a path. You can describe the path the ball takes using math.

Now imagine light is like the ball and the ramp is like a piece of glass. When light goes through the glass, it can bend and change direction. We can also describe this movement of light with math.

Ray transfer matrix analysis is a way to describe how light moves through different materials, like glass lenses. It uses math to figure out how the light will change direction, and how much of it will be reflected or absorbed by the materials.

By using ray transfer matrix analysis, we can design lenses that shape the light the way we want it to, like in cameras or telescopes, so we can see clearer and farther. And it's helpful for scientists and engineers to understand how light behaves, so we can make new discoveries and invent new technologies!