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caustic curve


caustics
The envelope of rays of light reflected (or refracted) by a given curve from a given point source of light. A catacaustic results from reflection, a diacaustic from refraction.

Among the caustic curves of a circle are limaçon, if the light source is nearby, a nephroid, if the source if at infinity, and a cardioid, if the source is on the circle.


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