- Ray tracing (physics)
In physics, ray tracing is a method for calculating the path of
wave s orparticle s through a system with regions of varying propagationvelocity , absorption characteristics, and reflecting surfaces. Under these circumstances,wavefront s may bend, change direction, or reflect off surfaces, complicating analysis. Ray tracing solves the problem by repeatedly advancing idealized narrow beams called "rays" through the medium by discrete amounts. Simple problems can be analyzed by propagating a few rays using simple mathematics. More detailed analyses can be performed by using a computer to propagate many rays.When applied to problems of
electromagnetic radiation , ray tracing often relies on approximate solutions toMaxwell's equations that are valid as long as thelight wave s propagate through and around objects whose dimensions are much greater than the light'swavelength . Ray theory does not describe phenomena such asinterference anddiffraction , which require wave theory (involving the phase of the wave).Technique
Ray tracing works by assuming that the particle or wave can be modeled as a large number of very narrow beams (rays), and that there exists some (possibly very small) distance over which such a ray is locally straight. The ray tracer will advance the ray over this distance, and then use a local derivative of the medium to calculate the ray's new direction. From this location, a new ray is sent out and the process is repeated until a complete path is generated. If the simulation includes solid objects, the ray may be tested for intersection with them at each step, making adjustments to the ray's direction if a collision is found. Other properties of the ray may be altered as the simulation advances as well, such as
intensity ,wavelength , orpolarization .Uses
Radio signals
One particular form of ray tracing is
radio signal ray tracing, which traces radio signals, modeled as rays, through theionosphere where they are refracted and/or reflected back to the Earth. This form of ray tracing involves the integration of differential equations that describe the propagation of electromagnetic waves through dispersive and anisotropic media such as the ionosphere. An example of physics-based radio signal ray tracing is shown to the right. Radio communicators use ray tracing to help determine the precise behavior of radio signals as they propagate through the ionosphere.The image at the right illustrates the complexity of the situation. Unlike optical ray tracing where the medium between objects typically has a constant
refractive index , signal ray tracing must deal with the complexities of a spatially varying refractive index, where changes in ionosphericelectron densities influence the refractive index and hence, ray trajectories. Two sets of signals are broadcast at two different elevation angles. When the main signal penetrates into the ionosphere, the magnetic field splits the signal into two component waves which are separately ray traced through the ionosphere. The ordinary wave (red) component follows a path completely independent of the extraordinary wave (green) component.Ocean acoustics
Sound velocity in the
ocean varies with depth due to changes indensity andtemperature , reaching alocal minimum near a depth of 800-1000 meters. This local minimum, called theSOFAR channel , acts as awaveguide , as sound tends to bend towards it. Ray tracing may be used to calculate the path of sound through the ocean up to very large distances, incorporating the effects of the SOFAR channel, as well as reflections andrefraction s off the ocean surface and bottom. From this, locations of high and low signal intensity may be computed, which are useful in the fields of ocean acoustics,underwater acoustic communication , andacoustic thermometry .Optical design
Ray tracing may be used in the design of lenses and
optical system s, such as incamera s,microscope s, telescopes, andbinoculars , and its application in this field dates back to the 1900s. "Geometric ray tracing" is used to describe the propagation of light rays through a lens system or optical instrument, allowing the image-forming properties of the system to be modeled. The following effects can be integrated into a ray tracer in a straightforward fashion:*Dispersion leads to
chromatic aberration
*Polarization
**Crystal optics
**Fresnel equations
*Laser light effects
*Thin film interference (optical coating ,soap bubble ) can be used to calculate the reflectivity of a surface.For the application of lens design, two special cases of wave interference are important to account for. In a focal point, rays from a point light source meet again and may constructively or destructively interfere with each other. Within a very small region near this point, incoming light may be approximated by plane waves which inherit their direction from the rays. The
optical path length from the light source is used to compute the phase. Thederivative of the position of the ray in the focal region on the source position is used to obtain the width of the ray, and from that theamplitude of the plane wave. The result is thepoint spread function , whoseFourier transform is theoptical transfer function . From this, theStrehl ratio can also be calculated.The other special case to consider is that of the interference of wavefronts, which, as stated before, are approximated as planes. When the rays come close together or even cross, however, the wavefront approximation breaks down. Interference of spherical waves is usually not combined with ray tracing, thus
diffraction at an aperture cannot be calculated.These techniques are used to optimize the design of the instrument by minimizing aberrations, for photography, and for longer
wavelength applications such as designing microwave or even radio systems, and for shorter wavelengths, such asultraviolet andX-ray optics.Before the advent of the
computer , ray tracing calculations were performed by hand usingtrigonometry andlogarithm ic tables. The optical formulas of many classic photographic lenses were optimized by roomfuls of people, each of whom handled a small part of the large calculation. Now they are worked out in optical design software such as Code-V,Zemax , OSLO orTracePro from Lambda Research. A simple version of ray tracing known asray transfer matrix analysis is often used in the design of optical resonators used inlaser s. The basic principles of the mostly used algorithm could be found in Spencer and Murty's fundamental paper: "General ray tracing Procedure". [cite journal |author=G. H. Spencer and M. V. R.K. Murty |title=General ray tracing Procedure |journal=J. Opt. Soc. Am. |volume=52 |issue=6 |pages=672–678 |year=1962 |url=http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19620005046_1962005046.pdf |format=PDF]eismology
In
seismology , geophysicists use ray tracing to aid in earthquake location and tomographic reconstruction of the Earth's interior. [Rawlinson, N., Hauser, J. and Sambridge, M., 2007. Seismic ray tracing and wavefront tracking in laterally heterogeneous media. Advances in Geophysics, 49. 203-267.] [cite book
title=Seismic Ray Theory
author=Cerveny, V.
year=2001
publisher=Cambridge University Press]Seismic wave velocity varies within and beneath Earth's crust, causing these waves to bend and reflect. Ray tracing may be used to compute paths through a geophysical model, following them back to their source, such as an earthquake, or deducing the properties of the intervening material [ [http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~nowack/geos557/lecture14c-dir/lecture14c.htm Purdue University ] ] . In particular, the discovery of the seismic shadow zone (illustrated at right) allowed scientists to deduce the presence of Earth's molten core.ee also
*
Ocean acoustic tomography
*Ray transfer matrix analysis
*Gradient index optics References
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