Exact formula to relate optical path differences and transversal aberration components.

An exact equation to relate the optical path differences (OPD) with its transversal aberration components (TAC) is determined. The OPD-TAC equation reproduces the Rayces formula and introduces the coefficient for the longitudinal aberration. The defocus orthonormal Zernike polynomial ( ) is not a solution for the OPD-TAC equation since the obtained longitudinal defocus depends on the ray height on the exit pupil, meaning that it cannot be interpreted as a defocus. In order to find an exact expression for OPD defocus, first, a general relationship between the wavefront shape and its OPD is established. Second, an exact formula for the defocus OPD is established. Finally, it is proved that only the exact defocus OPD is an exact solution of the exact OPD-TAC equation.