View source for Caustic (mathematics)

In [[differential geometry]] and [[geometric optics]], a '''caustic''' is the [[Envelope (mathematics)|envelope of rays either reflected or refracted by a [[manifold]].

It is related to the concept of [[Caustic (optics)|caustics in optics]].

== Description ==

The ray's source may be a point (called the radiant) or parallel rays from a point at infinity, in which case a direction vector of the rays must be specified.

== See also ==

* [[Caustic (optics)]]
* [[Differential geometry]] 
* [[Envelope (mathematics)]]
* [[Geometric optics]]
* [[Manifold]]
* [[Mathematics]]

== External links ==

* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caustic_(mathematics) Caustic (mathematics)] @ Wikipedia

[[Category:Geometry]]
[[Category:Mathematics]]