Geometrical Methods of Mathematical Physics

This book presents two distinct aspects of wave dynamics – wave propagation and diffraction – with a focus on wave diffraction. The authors apply different mathematical methods to the solution of typical problems in the theory of wave propagation and diffraction and analyze the obtained results. The rigorous diffraction theory distinguishes three approaches: the method of surface currents, where the diffracted field is represented as a superposition of secondary spherical waves emitted by each element (the Huygens–Fresnel principle); the Fourier method; and the separation of variables and Wiener–Hopf transformation method.

Over the past 25 years, Harold and Darren Franck have investigated hundreds of accidents involving vehicles of almost every shape, size, and type imaginable.