Image Analysis of Curved Gradient-Index Rods

A method of ray tracing through curved gradient-index imaging rods is developed. A study of the imaging ability of a radial gradient-index relay rod, with end-to-end imaging of an object in the meridional plane, bent along some simple curves is performed. The study includes an analysis of changes in the first order of properties and the transverse aberrations in the image plane. Approximations of the first-, second-, and third-order transverse aberration coefficients are made.