Rayleigh-Sommerfeld scalar diffraction by apertures moving at relativistic speeds

TL;DR

This paper analytically investigates how relativistic speeds affect Rayleigh-Sommerfeld scalar diffraction patterns from various apertures, highlighting the impact of the transverse Doppler effect on diffraction intensity.

Contribution

It provides the first analytical results for scalar diffraction by moving apertures at relativistic speeds, including effects of oscillatory shutters.

Findings

Relativistic motion alters diffraction intensity patterns.

Transverse Doppler effect influences the diffraction field.

Analytical formulas for various aperture geometries are derived.

Abstract

We have analytically obtained the theoretical results for the Rayleigh-Sommerfeld (R-S) scalar diffraction by apertures, such as single-slit, double-slit, grating and circular aperture, moving at relativistic speeds with the velocities perpendicular to the direction of incidence. We also have studied diffraction by a single-slit of oscillatory shutter. Our study would be significant in probing the relativistic transverse Doppler effect on the intensity pattern of the diffracted field.