Wigner distribution transformations in high-order systems

By combining the definition of the Wigner distribution function (WDF) and the matrix method of optical system modeling, we can evaluate the transformation of the former in centered systems with great complexity. The effect of stops and lens diameter are also considered and are shown to be responsible for nonlinear clipping of the resulting WDF in the case of coherent illumination and nonlinear modulation of the WDF when the illumination is incoherent. As an example, the study of a single lens imaging system illustrates the applicability of the method.