Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Wave optics of the spherical gravitational lens part I: Diffraction of a plane electromagnetic wave by a large star

  • Published:
International Journal of Theoretical Physics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper gives the Poynting vector of a plane electromagnetic wave diffracted by the gravitational field of a large spherical body (large compared to its Schwarzschild radius) and shows in detail how this body works as a gravitational lens. The most interesting results are (1) an extreme amplification of intensity near to the axis of symmetry in the far field behind the body, with a factor of 10 times the Schwarzschild radius divided by the wavelength of the light, and (2) the appearance of double images, differing in shape and position from the predictions of geometrical optics.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Atkinson, R. (1965).Astronomical Journal 70, 517.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bourassa, R. et al. (1973).Astrophysical Journal 185, 747.

    Google Scholar 

  • Erdelyi, A. (1953).Higher Transcendental Functions, Vol. I. McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herlt, E. and Stephani, H. (1974).International Journal of Theoretical Physics 12, 81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liebes, X. (1964).Physical Review 133, 835.

    Google Scholar 

  • Messiah, A. (1961).Quantum Mechanics p. 421. North Holland Publishing Co., Amsterdam.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peters, P. C. (1974).Physical Review D 9, 2207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Refsdal, S. (1965). Conference on General Relativity and Gravitation, London, 1965.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wissenschaftsbereich Relativistische Physik, Sektion Physik, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, DDR

    E. Herlt & H. Stephani

Authors
  1. E. Herlt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. H. Stephani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Herlt, E., Stephani, H. Wave optics of the spherical gravitational lens part I: Diffraction of a plane electromagnetic wave by a large star. Int J Theor Phys 15, 45–65 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01807086

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01807086

Keywords

Search

Navigation