Open AccessThe wave equation: From eikonal to anti-eikonal approximation
Author(s) -
Luis Vázquez,
Salvador Jiménez,
А. Б. Шварцбург
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
modern electronic materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2452-2449
pISSN - 2452-1779
DOI - 10.1016/j.moem.2016.11.001
Subject(s) - eikonal equation , eikonal approximation , physics , quantum electrodynamics , quantum mechanics
When the refractive index changes very slowly compared to the wave-length we may use the eikonal approximation to the wave equation. In the opposite case, when the refractive index highly variates over the distance of one wave-length, we have what can be termed as the anti-eikonal limit. This situation is addressed in this work. The anti-eikonal limit seems to be a relevant tool in the modelling and design of new optical media. Besides, it describes a basic universal behaviour, independent of the actual values of the refractive index and, thus, of the media, for the components of a wave with wave-length much greater than the characteristic scale of the refractive index