A Wave-Optics Approach to Paraxial Geometrical Laws Based on Continuity at Boundaries

We present a derivation of the paraxial geometrical laws starting from a wave-optics approach, in particular by using simple continuity conditions of paraxial spherical waves at boundaries (discontinuities) between optical media. Paraxial geometrical imaging and magnification laws, under refraction and reflection at boundaries, are derived for several instructive cases and without using Fresnel diffraction theory. The primary aim is to provide a complementary insight into the standard axiomatic approach of paraxial geometrical optics and likewise to allow the introduction of some wave imaging concepts, such as the transmittance function, with a notable didactic interest for advanced subjects such as Fourier optics. This approach provides a more homogeneous vision of classical optics in which the use of the optical field continuity conditions at a boundary is a usual requirement as is clearly seen, for example, in the case of the derivation of Fresnel formulas. The work is particularly intended for university physics teachers and pregraduate and first year postgraduate students. (Contains 1 figure.)