Diffraction Theory

Diffraction Theory

Geometrical theory of diffraction.

QCD, diffraction and string theory

Recently, string theory on some specific curved backgroud spacetime geometries has been conjectured to be equivalent to certain gauge theories (AdS/CFT correspondence). This correspondence may be used to investigate the non-perturbative regime of gauge theories. I describe its application to the study of soft scattering amplitudes in a confining gauge theory. I describe two qualitatively differ...

Conical diffraction: observations and theory

Conical refraction was produced by a transparent biaxial crystal of KGd(WO4)2 illuminated by a laser beam. The ring patterns at different distances from the crystal were magnified and projected onto a screen, giving rings whose diameter was 265 mm. Comparison with theory revealed all predicted geometrical and diffraction features: close to the crystal, there are two bright rings of internal con...

Issues in Optical Diffraction Theory

This paper focuses on unresolved or poorly documented issues pertaining to Fresnel's scalar diffraction theory and its modifications. In Sec. 2 it is pointed out that all thermal sources used in practice are finite in size and errors can result from insufficient coherence of the optical field. A quarter-wave criterion is applied to show how such errors can be avoided by placing the source at a ...