Work

The Ptolemy–Alhazen Problem and Spherical Mirror Reflection

Year: 2018

Type: article

Abstract: An ancient optics problem of Ptolemy, studied later by Alhazen, is discussed. This problem deals with reflection of light in spherical mirrors. Mathematically, this reduces to the solution of a quartic equation, which we solve and analyze using a symbolic computation software. Similar problems have been recently studied in connection with ray-tracing, catadioptric optics, scattering of electromagnetic waves, and mathematical billiards, but we were led to this problem in our study of the so-called triangular ratio metric.

Source: Computational Methods and Function Theory

DOI: 10.1007/s40315-018-0257-z

Authors: Masayo Fujimura, Parisa Hariri, Marcelina Mocanu, Matti Vuorinen

Institutions: National Defense Academy of Japan, University of Turku, University of Bacău

Language: English

Topic: Mathematics and Applications

Subfield: Geometry and Topology

Field: Mathematics

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,190

Funders: Kansainvälisen Liikkuvuuden ja Yhteistyön Keskus, Turun Yliopisto, Turun Yliopistosäätiö, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science