(i) Consider a thin lens placed between a source (S) and an observer (O) (Figure). Let the thickness of the lens vary as w(b)=w0-b2α, where b is the verticle distance from the pole, w0 is a constant. Using Fermat's principle i.e., the time of transit for a ray between the source and observer is an extremum, find the condition that all paraxial rays starting from the source will converge at a point O on the axis. Find the focal length.
              
(ii) A gravitational lens may be assumed to have a varying width of the form
                         w(b)=k1ln k2b                 bmin<b<bmax
                             =k1 ln k2bmin                 b<bmin
Show that an observer will see an image of a point object as a ring about the centre of the lens with an angular radius
                             β=(n-1)k1uvu+v

Hint: Use Fermat's principle.

Step 1: Find the condition that all paraxial rays starting from the source will converge at a point O on the axis.

(i) The time elapsed to travel from S to P1 is
                         t1=SP1c=u2+b2c
or                     t1=uc1+12b2u2               assuming b<<u0.
The time required to travel from P1 to O is,
                                                          t2=P1Oc=v2+b2c=vc 1+12b2v2
The time required to travel through the lens is
                                                            t1=(n-1)w(b)c
where n is the refractive index.
Thus, the total time is
                                             t=1cu+v+12b2 1u+1v+(n-1) w(b)
Put                                         1D=1u+1v
Then,                                     t=1cu+v+12b2D+(n-1)w0+b2α
Fermat's principle gives the time taken should be minimum.
For that first derivation should be zero,
                                                       dtdb=0=bCD-2(n-1)b
 α=2(n-1) D
Thus, a convergent lens is formed if α=2(n-1)D. This is independent of B and hence, all paraxial rays from S will converge at O i.e., for rays
and                                             (b<<v).
Since,                                         1D=1u+1v, the focal length is D.

Step 2: Find the angular radius of the ring image.

(ii) In this case, differentiating expression of time taken t w.r.t. b;
                                      t=1cu+v+12b2D+(n-1)k1lnk2b
dtdb=0=bD-(n-1)k1b
                                  b2=(n-1)k1D
                                   b=(n-1)k1D
Thus, all rays passing at a height b shall  contribute to the image, The ray paths make an angle.
                       β =bv= (n-1)k1Dv2=(n-1)k1uvv2(u+v)=(n-1)k1u(u+v)v
This is the required expression.