Edge Diffraction of Complex Rays

S. J. Chapman, J. M. H. Lawry, J. R. Ockendon & V. H. Saward

The extension of the Geometrical Theory of Diffraction to complex rays is considered. The key difference with real rays arises in the determination of the regions of existence of the incident and reflected fields, which are governed by Stokes phenomenon. The procedure is demonstrated using the simple example of diffraction by a finite plate.