Structure of boundary diffraction wave revisited

Abstract

The physically appealing boundary diffraction wave theory which suggests that diffraction patterns arise due to interference of an undisturbed (geometrical) wave and the boundary diffraction wave generated by edge of the diffracting aperture, simplifies the solution of diffraction problems by reducing the Fresnel–Kirchhoff surface integral into a line integral over the illuminated boundary of the diffracting aperture. The present work reports experimental investigations carried out on the structure of the boundary diffraction wave. It has been shown that the boundary diffraction wave is continuous behind the diffracting aperture and apparently there does not exist any discontinuity at the geometrically light to shadow transition boundary, as is required by the theory.