A complement to the scalar wave theory of light
Abstract
In this paper, we discuss how the concepts of Hamiltonian optics are internally connected to the scalar wave theory of light rays. It is shown that the solutions of the reduced wave equation are similar to Huygen's wavelets, and they can be used to understand Snell's law of refraction. This model can also be used to derive the coefficient of reflection consistent with Fresnel's equation for s-polarized light.
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