Alternative Description for Gaussian Image Plane

(Received January 6, 2015 : accepted February 23, 2015)An alternative description for the Gaussian image plane (GIP) of an optical system for a given object is presented, which applies to both aberration-free and non-aberration-free systems. We extend the definition of transverse magnification (TM) to the image plane (IP) displaced from the GIP and find that the TM depends linearly on the locations of both an aperture stop placed in front of the system and the IP. Hence, we redefine the GIP as the location at which the slope of the TM variance changes sign. The definition is deterministic and self-consistent and, therefore, no other parameters or measurements are needed. The derivation of this definition using a set of paraxial ray tracings and supporting experimental data for a thick bi-convex lens system is presented.