Making geometrical optics exact
Philbin, Thomas G.
Date: 17 March 2014
Journal
Journal of Modern Optics
Publisher
Taylor and Francis
Publisher DOI
Abstract
Geometrical optics (GO) is widely used in studies of electromagnetic materials because of its ease of use compared to full-wave numerical simulations. Exact solutions for waves can, however, differ significantly from the GO approximation. In particular, effects that are "perfect" for waves cannot usually be derived using GO. Here we ...
Geometrical optics (GO) is widely used in studies of electromagnetic materials because of its ease of use compared to full-wave numerical simulations. Exact solutions for waves can, however, differ significantly from the GO approximation. In particular, effects that are "perfect" for waves cannot usually be derived using GO. Here we give a method for designing materials in which GO is exact for some waves. This enables us to find interesting analytical solutions for exact wave propagation in inhomogeneous media. Two examples of the technique are given: a material in which two point sources do not interfere, and a perfect isotropic cloak for waves from a point source. We also give the form of material response required for GO to be exact for all waves.
Physics and Astronomy
Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy
Item views 0
Full item downloads 0