Light ray simulator? Snell's law/refraction

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Tom Holly
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Light Ray Simulator
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on simulating light rays refracting through transparent freeform shapes using ray tracing software. Tom suggests that a ray tracing program can effectively model the behavior of light as it interacts with various materials, utilizing a piecewise linear approach. He also mentions the possibility of creating a custom simulation if one has programming skills. A specific tool, the Ray Optics Simulation app, is recommended for users seeking a straightforward solution without the complexity of traditional ray tracing software.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of ray tracing principles
  • Familiarity with light refraction and Snell's Law
  • Basic programming skills (optional for custom solutions)
  • Knowledge of simulation software interfaces
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore ray tracing algorithms and their applications in optics
  • Research Snell's Law and its implications in light refraction
  • Experiment with the Ray Optics Simulation app for practical insights
  • Learn about developing custom simulations using programming languages like Python or JavaScript
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for optical engineers, physics students, and software developers interested in light simulation and ray tracing techniques.

Tom Holly
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
I would like to simulate a light ray hitting and refracting through a transparent freeform shape.

Any advice on software which will do this easily? I want to just draw the shape, point the light at it, and see where the beam goes.

Tom
 
Science news on Phys.org
You seem to be after a ray tracing program. The light from your light source can be treated as a set of parallel rays and they will all follow different paths through the system, sometimes becoming diffused and sometimes being focussed etc.. There have been many such programs written and they work using a step by step (piecewise linear) model. Ray tracing is used to model all kinds of wave propagation and Wiki discusses the basics.
It wouldn't be too hard to write your own - if you are familiar with programming in almost any language. When I started life as a broadcast engineer, I was involved with a program that traced the progress of radio waves through the ionosphere, for predicting levels of received signals. A piece of cake, these days, for fast computer but a real slog for an old Elliot 803.

Oh look - I just found this!
 
thanks for the advice. I initially thought about a ray tracer, but it would be overkill.

I found this neat little app which does what I want. https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ray-optics-simulation/egamlemiidmmmcccadndbjjihkcfiobh

Tom
 

Similar threads

Graduate When should I analyze optical problems using ray tracing vs. wavefront analysis?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Undergrad Why Are Reflected Rays Often Ignored in Lens Studies?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
High School Fermat's principle and refraction -- Possible misunderstanding
  • · Replies 42 ·
2
Replies
42
Views
5K
Undergrad How can I derive this relation from Snell's law?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Graduate Interpretation of a complex angle of refraction
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad Reflection, refraction, and Snell's law
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
4K
Undergrad Prism Spectrometer Objective: Optics Question
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Graduate How to compute phase gradient from Snell's law?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Undergrad Optical Effect: curved light source when seen through the bus window
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Graduate Snell's law for an interface with variable refractive index
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K