Math 2.0

Optics, electromagnetic theory Wave optics and diffraction Problem

Sommerfeld's half-plane diffraction problem

Builds on Helmholtz equationFresnel integralsWiener–Hopf method

Problem

Let k>0k > 0, let Γ={(x,0):x≥0}\Gamma = \set{(x, 0) : x \ge 0} be a half-line in ℝ2\R^2, and let ui(x,y)=eik(xcos⁡α+ysin⁡α)u_i(x, y) = e^{i k (x \cos\alpha + y \sin\alpha)} be an incident plane wave with 0<α<π0 < \alpha < \pi. Find u=ui+usu = u_i + u_s on ℝ2∖Γ\R^2 \setminus \Gamma such that:

  1. uu solves the Helmholtz equation Δu+k2u=0\Delta u + k^2 u = 0 in ℝ2∖Γ\R^2 \setminus \Gamma;
  2. u=0u = 0 on both sides of Γ\Gamma (the Dirichlet case), or ∂u/∂y=0\partial u / \partial y = 0 on both sides of Γ\Gamma (the Neumann case);
  3. the scattered field usu_s is outgoing: away from the directions of the reflected wave and of the shadow boundary, it satisfies the Sommerfeld radiation condition;
  4. uu has finite energy near the edge: uu and ∇u\nabla u are square integrable on every bounded set.

Remarks

The half-line is the cross-section of a thin, perfectly conducting half-plane, and the two boundary conditions correspond to the two polarisations of the electromagnetic wave. Sommerfeld solved the problem exactly in 1896, with a method of solutions on a two-sheeted Riemann surface; the solution is unique under conditions 1 to 4. The solution can be written with the Fresnel integrals, and it shows a smooth transition from light to shadow across the shadow boundary instead of a sharp edge. The problem can also be solved by the Wiener–Hopf method. Its far-field asymptotics give the edge diffraction coefficient used in Keller's geometrical theory of diffraction.

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  1. Fresnel integrals concept
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Further reading

  1. Web https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffraction
About this page
TagSRGSR8X5SF
URIm2://SRGSR8X5SF
Kindproblem
WritingW0 stub
MSC78A45, 35J05
StatusThis copy of the site has no build data. Run m2 status SRGSR8X5SF.
AboutPhysical optics
UsesHelmholtz equation, Fresnel integrals, Wiener–Hopf method
Changed3 November 2026

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