We suggest a numerical algorithm for complex ray tracing. Such an algorithm is intended for the computation of a wave field in the framework of complex geometrical optics. The main advantage of the complex method is the possibility to take into account diffraction effects by use of only ordinary differential equations of geometrical optics, thus reducing the calculation time. The efficiency of the suggested algorithm is illustrated by several numerical examples that allow comparison with known analytic solutions: the field of a plane wave behind a caustic in a linear layer, uniform field asymptotics on a caustic in a linear layer, and a Gaussian beam field in a homogeneous medium. It is pointed out that the approach under consideration can be readily applied to a great variety of real wave problems that have an analytical solution: nonplane waves, nonplane-stratified media, and the like. In particular, a numerical solution for Gaussian beam propagation through inhomogeneities of Gaussian form is presented.

© 2001 Optical Society of America

[Optical Society of America ]

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Citation lists with outbound citation links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Cited by links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Article level metrics are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription

Related Journal Articles

• Isotropic scattering by penetrable cylinders (JOSAA)
• Average characteristics of partially coherent electromagnetic beams (JOSAA)
• Nonparaxial Diffraction-Limited Propagation of Light in a Graded-Index Planar Medium with a Hyperbolic Secant Refractive-Index Profile (AO)
• Comparison of Exact and Asymptotic Results for the Focusing of Electromagnetic Waves through a Plane Interface (AO)
• Generalized eikonal formalism. 3. Formation of interference fringes (JOSAB)

Related Conference Papers

• Feasible Light Fields in Three-Dimensional Space
• Discrete Negative Refraction and Left-Handed Propagation in Photonic Crystal Waveguide Arrays
• Discrete Negative Refraction and Left-Handed Propagation in Photonic Crystal Waveguide Arrays
• Third-Order Aberrations of an AGRIN Thin Lens as a Function of the Shape Factor and Conjugate Variable
• Negative Refraction, Imaging, Beam Collimation and Subwavelength Concentration in Photonic Crystals