Huygen's Principle of Wave Propagation

Wavefront: the leading surface of a wave

disturbance

Huygens' Principle:
REFLECTION
at a interface
HUYGENS - FRESNEL PRINCIPLE
 Image

Construction of wavefronts ( Isotropic materials)

The figures present three cases for different the index of refraction of medium-2.
The index of refraction is the same for medium-1
The incidence angle is the same in all the three cases. Notice the variation of the
refracted angle.

Ray
Y
B
u Image

A
1
C
2
Wavelet D
Wavefront

Y
B
u X Image
A
1
C
2

Wavelet D

Y
B
X
u

A
1
C
2
Wavefront
Wavelet D
Ray
REFRACTION OF LIGHT

Case: V2 > V1

Wavefront

Ray

Glass
Air Ray

<
Wavelet >
Wavefront

Case: V2 > V1
 REFRACTION OF LIGHT

Case: V2 < V1

Air

Glass

Ray

Wavelet
Ray