Geometrical connection between catacaustics and kinematics of planar motion of a rigid solid

摘要

Unnoticed and hidden optomechanical analogies between kinematics of planar motion of a rigid solid and catacaustics generated by mirror reflection on smooth profiles in geometrical optics are discussed. A concise and self-consistent theory is developed, which intends to explain and clarify many partial aspects covered by the literature. (C) 2016 Optical Society of America