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Main Authors: Ren, Kuan Fang, Duan, Qingwei, Rozé, Claude, Yang, Minglin, Zhang, Ce, Fang, Haiping, Han, Xiang'e
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
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Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2403.13856
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author Ren, Kuan Fang
Duan, Qingwei
Rozé, Claude
Yang, Minglin
Zhang, Ce
Fang, Haiping
Han, Xiang'e
author_facet Ren, Kuan Fang
Duan, Qingwei
Rozé, Claude
Yang, Minglin
Zhang, Ce
Fang, Haiping
Han, Xiang'e
contents Accurate and efficient prediction of three-dimensional (3D) fields in wave interactions with large, complex-shaped objects is essential for applications in electromagnetic computation, computer graphics, optical metrology, and freeform optics. However, existing methods face significant challenges: numerical techniques are computationally intensive and impractical for large objects, while ray tracing neglects wave properties and remains inefficient, relying solely on ray bundles. In this Letter, we present the Ray Theory of Waves (RTW), which introduces wavefront curvature (WFC) as an intrinsic property of a ray to describe wave divergence and convergence. Using differential geometry, we derive the wavefront equation, rigorously relating WFC of incident, reflected, and refracted waves, enabling accurate calculation of field amplitude and phase along a ray. To address diffraction effects at singularities and compute the total field, we propose an anti-conventional strategy. The flexibility, precision and performance of RTW are demonstrated through the calculation of 3D scattering pattern of an ellipsoidal drop. Importantly, the method clarifies several longstanding queries about Airy theory since the 19th century. RTW constitutes a theoretical breakthrough, opening new avenues for practical applications.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2403_13856
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Ray Theory of Waves
Ren, Kuan Fang
Duan, Qingwei
Rozé, Claude
Yang, Minglin
Zhang, Ce
Fang, Haiping
Han, Xiang'e
Optics
Accurate and efficient prediction of three-dimensional (3D) fields in wave interactions with large, complex-shaped objects is essential for applications in electromagnetic computation, computer graphics, optical metrology, and freeform optics. However, existing methods face significant challenges: numerical techniques are computationally intensive and impractical for large objects, while ray tracing neglects wave properties and remains inefficient, relying solely on ray bundles. In this Letter, we present the Ray Theory of Waves (RTW), which introduces wavefront curvature (WFC) as an intrinsic property of a ray to describe wave divergence and convergence. Using differential geometry, we derive the wavefront equation, rigorously relating WFC of incident, reflected, and refracted waves, enabling accurate calculation of field amplitude and phase along a ray. To address diffraction effects at singularities and compute the total field, we propose an anti-conventional strategy. The flexibility, precision and performance of RTW are demonstrated through the calculation of 3D scattering pattern of an ellipsoidal drop. Importantly, the method clarifies several longstanding queries about Airy theory since the 19th century. RTW constitutes a theoretical breakthrough, opening new avenues for practical applications.
title Ray Theory of Waves
topic Optics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2403.13856