Re: have a few queries..

surface2air wrote:
I'm trying to write a ray tracer and I'm supposed to include
diffraction effect as well as creeping rays. I have been told to look
into Geometrical Theory of diffraction. Can anyone explain this theory
to me in layman terms as my field is computer science and it would be
helpful if you can give some links/papers

You need to get a copy of V. A. Borovikov & B. Ye. Kinber, *Geometrical Theory of Diffraction*, IEE Electromagnetic Waves Series, V 37, Institute of Electrical Engineers, London, 1994.

I assume that this ray tracer is intended for rendering rather than lens design--a POV-Ray rather than a Zemax.

The basic idea of GTD is to improve the accuracy of scattering calculations from objects large compared with a wavelength, by splicing together analytically known scattering solutions for e.g. spheres and triangular edges. You have to account for multiple scatter, but the basic approach is what underlies stealth technology, for instance.

It's going to be fairly tough without an optics person around, or someone who does radar cross sections.

Cheers,

Phil Hobbs
.

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