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Variational formulation of eikonal theory for vector waves

Author
Kaufman, A. N.
Published
United States : [publisher not identified], 1986
Springfield, Va.: National Technical Information Service, [approximately 1986]
Physical Description
microfiche : negative ; 11 x 15 cm
Additional Creators
Hui, Y. and Ye, H.

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Summary
The eikonal theory of wave propagation is developed by means of a Lorentz-covariant variational principle, involving functions defined on the natural eight-dimensional phase space of rays. The wave field is a four-vector representing the electromagnetic potential, while the medium is represented by an anisotropic, dispersive nonuniform dielectric tensor D/sup ..mu.. sup ..nu../(k,x). The eikonal expansion yields, to lowest order, the Hamiltonian ray equations, which define the Lagrangian manifold k(x), and the wave action conservation law, which determines the wave amplitude transport along the rays. The first-order contribution to the variational principle yields a concise expression for the transport of the polarization phase. The symmetry between k-space and x-space allows for a simple implementation of the Maslov transform, which avoids the difficulties of caustic singularities.
Report Numbers
DE86012025; LBL-21472; CONF-8605122-1
Other Subject(s)
Collection
NTIS collection.
Note
DOE contract number: AC03-76SF00098
OSTI Identifier 5674049
Research organization: Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (USA).
View MARC record | catkey: 47366297