Theory of Diffraction: Heuristic Approaches outlines the asymptotic methods in the theory of diffraction, which manifest their strong heuristic nature, including the geometrical theory of diffraction by J.B. Keller, the physical theory of diffraction by P.Ya. Ufimtsev, the parabolic wave-equation method by Leontovich and Fock, which forms the basis for quasi-optics, the complex geometrical optics as well as the Maslov’s, Kravtsov-Ludwig’s and Orlov’s asymptotic methods for a caustic-wave-fields description. The book is addressed to engineers, applied physicists and students, who need a compact, without complicated mathematics, comprehensive outline of the most effective methods of diffraction theory, capable of describing the lion’s share of applied problems.

Preface / Heuristic Approaches in High-Frequency Theory of Diffraction: Geometrical Tenderncies in High-Frequency Theory of Diffraction / Tendencies and Recent Novelties in the heuristic Methods / Geometrical Optics (GO): The Scalar Wave Field / Electromagnetic Waves / Space-Time Geometrical Optics / Applicability of Geometrical Optics / Complex Geometrical Optics (CGO): Basic Equations of CGO / Complex Rays and Ray-Based Form of CGO / Paraxial CGO / Paraxial (Quasi-Optical) Approximation: Parabolic Wave-Equation / Paraxial Wave-Equation in Time-Domain / Finite-Difference-Type Solutins of PWEs / Geometrical Theory of Diffraction (GTD) and Improvements of Kirchhoff’s Approach: Canonical Problems / Geometircal Theory of Diffraction (GTD) / Kirchhoff’s Approach and its Improvements / Heuristic Range of Validity of GTD / Caustic Wave-Fields: Caustics as Catastrophes / Maslov’s Method and the Method of Interference Integrals / Other Kinds of Caustics and Standard Integrals / References / Index.

Postgraduate Students, Professionals & Researchers in Physics, Mathematics and Engineering (Electrical, Acoustical, Optical and Geophysical Engineering)