Frequency-Independent Scattering Solutions for Simple Geometries

A natural approach for solving large, high-frequency scattering problems is to augment a numerical (simulated) solution with the notion that light travels as rays. This combines the robustness of numerical methods, where every detail of the problem is modeled in the computer, with the quick timeto-solution characteristic of ray models. The resulting algorithms have potential to reduce overall computational cost, and in some cases, give costs that are frequency independent. Mathematically, one says that the current solution decomposes into the sum of slowly varying amplitude functions modulating rapidly oscillating phase factors. Since the amplitude functions vary slowly, they are more amenable to discretization than the total current.