TABLE OF CONTENTS 



Page 



Preface ill 



Abstract 1 



1. Introduction 3 



2. Experimental technique 3 



Chapter 1. Discussion of the equation of wave motion . . 8 



3. Fundamental concepts 8 



4. The equation of non-dispersive wave motion .... 9 

 Chapter 2. Refraction 10 



5. Basis of modern refraction theory 10 



6. Snell's Law 11 



7. Refraction of light by a vertical glass cylinder, . 17 



8. Atmospheric refraction of sound waves caused by 



a uniform temperature variation 22 



9. Reflection by a plane rigid surface ........ 26 



10. Reflection at an air interface 30 



11. The phenomenon of total reflection 3)^ 



Chapter 3. Diffraction 41 



12. Beginning of modern diffraction theory 41 



13. Diffraction of light by a black half-plane .... 42 



14. Diffraction by an infinite slit 46 



15. Diffraction of light by two noncoplanar parallel 

 straight edj^es 51 



Resume and Conclusions 60 



Acknowledgments 6I 



Bibliography 62 



