Overview of Light Propagation in Homogeneous, Source-free Media
Light can be described as a waveform propagating through free space (vacuum) or a material medium (such as air or glass). Mathematically, the (real valued) amplitude of one wave component is represented by a scalar wave function u that depends on both space and time:
where
represents position in three dimensional space, and t represents time.
Read more about this topic: Fourier Optics
Famous quotes containing the words light and/or media:
“A noble company gathered to develop a society that would create harmony, love, and usefulness. Now I sit on the grave of great hopes.... I look back to see a light that went out from it—small, but bright and pure and true.”
—Rebecca Buffum Spring (1811–1911)
“The media network has its idols, but its principal idol is its own style which generates an aura of winning and leaves the rest in darkness. It recognises neither pity nor pitilessness.”
—John Berger (b. 1926)