F = M A Optics

Authors

James C. Evans, University of Puget SoundFollow
Mark Rosenquist, Shell Western Exploration & Production, Inc., Rocky Mountain Division, P. O. Box 831, Houston, Texas 77001

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-1986

Publication Title

American Journal Of Physics

Department

Science, Technology and Society

Abstract

Fermat’s principle may be used to derive an equation, of the form F=m a, governing the shape of a light ray in a medium of varying refractive index. Many interesting problems in gradient‐index optics that ordinarily require considerable computation may therefore be solved very simply by analogy to familiar mechanical problems. This approach also provides the means of thoroughly exploring the optical‐mechanical analogy at a much more elementary level than is usual.

Volume

54

Issue

10

pp.

876-883

ISSN

0002-9505

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1119/1.14861

Provider Link

http://scitation.aip.org/content/aapt/journal/ajp/54/10/10.1119/1.14861

Citation

Evans, James C., and M. Rosenquist. 1986. "F = M a Optics." American Journal Of Physics 54(10): 876-883.