Basic Elements of Strong Gravitational Lensing

TL;DR

This paper introduces the fundamental concepts of strong gravitational lensing, emphasizing intuitive explanations and visual aids to clarify how gravity and geometry influence light deflection, delay, and image formation.

Contribution

It presents a clear, graphics- and word-based overview of strong lensing fundamentals, including caustics, critical curves, and the effects of delay, deflection, and distortion.

Findings

Illustrates multiple image configurations (double, triple, quadruple, quintuple)

Provides a comprehensive table of symbols and definitions

Explains the roles of gravity and geometry in lensing effects

Abstract

Even when used to describe the same phenomenon, equations, graphics and words each give different perspectives and lead to complementary insights. The basic elements of strong gravitational lensing are introduced here favoring words and graphics over equations whenever possible. Fermat's principle is the fundamental driver of strong lensing. Three "D's'' encapsulate the essential effects of lensing: Delay, Deflection and Distortion. Gravity and geometry both contribute to the delay of photons from a lensed source. Their interplay determines how the images of a source are deflected and how they are stretched or compressed. Caustics and critical curves are explained. Images of doubly, triply, quadruply and quintuply lensed sources are displayed. A table of symbols, their definitions and distinctions provides a summary of the basic elements of strong lensing.