This clear, accessible guide requires little prior knowledge and considers just two topics: paraxial imaging and polarization. For those with no previous acquaintance with matrix algebra, Chapter One introduces basic ideas of rectangular matrix arrays and gives the rules for adding them and for forming matrix products. Subsequent chapters deal with paraxial imaging properties of a centered optical system, optical resonators and laser beam propagation, matrices in polarization optics and propagation of light through crystals. Six helpful appendices deal with such topics as aperture properties of centered lens systems, matrix representation of centering and squaring errors and derivation of Mueller and Jones matrices. This accessible guide to methods will be great assistance to students and workers not only in optics, but in such areas as laser engineering, optoelectronics, mechanical engineering and more.Content: Front Matter Preface Table of Contents1. Introduction to Matrix Calculations2. Matrix Methods in Paraxial Optics3. Optical Resonators and Laser Beam Propagation4. Matrices in Polarization Optics5. Propagation of Light through CrystalsAppendices Bibliography and ConclusionIndex