The Ptolemy-Alhazen problem and quadric surface mirror reflection




Fujimura Masayo, Mocanu Marcelina, Vuorinen Matti

PublisherTAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD

2022

Complex Variables and Elliptic Equations

COMPLEX VARIABLES AND ELLIPTIC EQUATIONS

COMPLEX VAR ELLIPTIC

19

1747-6933

1747-6941

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1080/17476933.2022.2084537

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17476933.2022.2084537

https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/175834703



We discuss the problem of the reflection of light on spherical and quadric surface mirrors. In the case of spherical mirrors, this problem is known as the Alhazen problem. For the spherical mirror problem, we focus on the reflection property of an ellipse and show that the catacaustic curve of the unit circle follows naturally from the equation obtained from the reflection property of an ellipse. Moreover, we provide an algebraic equation that solves Alhazen's problem for quadric surface mirrors.


Last updated on 2024-26-11 at 16:31