Application of the Cornu Spiral to the Semitransparent Half Plane

1966/03/01 by M. Parker Givens, William L. Goffe · 1 citation
Engineering · Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · #Computer science #Diffraction #Experimental and Theoretical Physics Studies #Fresnel diffraction #Geometry #Inclined plane #Mathematical analysis #Mathematics #Opacity #Optics #Phase (matter) #Photonic and Optical Devices #Physics #Plane (geometry) #Simple (philosophy) #Spiral (railway) #Telecommunications #Transmission (telecommunications)

paper · doi:10.1119/1.1972896

openalex publication_date 1966/03/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25

Abstract

A simple approach is presented to the problem of Fresnel diffraction by an uniform half plane of arbitrary transmission and phase delay. A simple extension of the Cornu spiral allows this graphical device to provide a ready solution for this situation as well as for the opaque half plane. A laboratory experiment for advanced undergraduates may be used to confirm the validity of the method.

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