Wake-tail effects in two-dimensional wave refocusing
Phys. Rev. E 113, 065102 – Published 11 June, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/pv58-tf9k
Abstract
In even spatial dimensions, solutions of the wave equation violate Huygens' principle, producing a persistent wake tail inside the light cone rather than a sharply localized propagating front. This intrinsic tail complicates refocusing. Here, we examine how the wake-tail structure of the two-dimensional wave equation affects refocusing, using the analytically tractable example of a pulse generated by a source localized in both space and time. Two idealized concentration strategies are considered. A spatial mirror reflects the outgoing pulse and produces refocusing, but the redirected signal is broadened, with the wake tail preserving its causal ordering behind the propagating front. A second strategy employs a time mirror generated by abrupt temporal modulation of the phase velocity, producing temporal reflection and transmission. This mechanism introduces an anticausal response of the wake tail, reversing its temporal ordering in a time-reversal-like manner; however, the pulse still undergoes distortion and wake-tail contributions persist through secondary radiation at the refocus point. These results demonstrate the fundamental connection between Huygens' principle and wave concentration, showing that the wake-tail structure intrinsic to two-dimensional propagation imposes a fundamental limit on perfect refocusing, even under idealized conditions.
