Ray Optics Approximation Simulation
This simulation demonstrates when ray optics is a good approximation based on the Fresnel distance (zₑ = a²/λ). When the propagation distance is much less than zₑ, diffraction effects can be neglected and ray optics is valid.
z_F = a² / λ
Where a is aperture size and λ is wavelength. In the example: (3mm)²/500nm = 18m.
Results:
Fresnel distance (zₑ): 18.0 m
Current distance: 5.0 m (27.8% of zₑ)
Ray optics validity: Valid approximation (z ≪ zₑ)
When z approaches zₑ, diffraction effects become significant.
