THE INTERPRETATION OF CROSSED ORTHOGONALS IN WAVE REFRACTION PHENOMENA.

Abstract

The theory of wave refraction is critically reviewed. The analogy between wave refraction theory and geometrical optics is described. Analytical examples of caustic curves are given, and it is shown that the theory of wave refraction as based upon geometrical optics fails at the caustic and leads to the conclusion that the waves become infinitely high.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1951
Accession Number
AD0699398

Entities

People

  • Willard J. Pierson Jr.

Organizations

  • United States Army Corps of Engineers

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Refraction

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.