Open AccessThe wave equation: from eikonal to anti-eikonal approximation
Author(s) -
Л. Васкес,
С. Хименес,
А. Б. Шварцбург
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
izvestiâ vysših učebnyh zavedenij. materialy èlektronnoj tehniki
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2413-6387
pISSN - 1609-3577
DOI - 10.17073/1609-3577-2016-2-103-107
Subject(s) - eikonal equation , eikonal approximation , limit (mathematics) , refractive index , physics , index (typography) , mathematical analysis , mathematics , optics , quantum electrodynamics , computer science , world wide web
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.