Implementing Ray Tracing Algorithm in MATLAB with Code Examples

Implementing ray tracing algorithms in MATLAB enables accurate simulation of light refraction, attenuation, and aberration phenomena. Ray tracing is a fundamental computer graphics technique that tracks light paths to model propagation and interactions across different media. In our MATLAB implementation, the algorithm handles refraction at media interfaces, along with attenuation within media and optical aberration effects. The code structure typically involves: defining light sources and scene geometry, calculating ray directions using vector mathematics, implementing Snell's law for refraction calculations, applying Beer-Lambert law for attenuation modeling, and incorporating Zernike polynomials for aberration simulation. Key MATLAB functions employed include quiver3 for 3D ray visualization, interp3 for gradient-based refractive index handling, and custom functions for physical property calculations. This implementation provides researchers with a flexible framework to study light behavior under varying conditions, supporting applications in optical system design, advanced rendering techniques, and computational photography. By leveraging MATLAB's matrix operations and graphical capabilities, users can efficiently modify parameters like refractive indices, absorption coefficients, and surface curvatures to analyze their impact on light propagation patterns.