Kavli Affiliate: Paul L. Schechter
| First 5 Authors: Paul L. Schechter, Jeremy D. Schnittman, , ,
| Summary:
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.
| Search Query: ArXiv Query: search_query=au:”Paul L. Schechter”&id_list=&start=0&max_results=3