arrow
Return

Physically-Based Simulation of Rainbows

delete2012-02-02
delete64
delete
OA
AI
A
Adolfo Muñoz
P
Philip Laven
W
Wojciech Jarosz
F
Francisco José Serón Arbeloa
D
Diego Gutiérrez
H
Henrik Wann Jensen
DOI:10.1145/2077341.2077344delete
deleteOriginal
deleteShare
deleteSave
View PDF
Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
In this article, we derive a physically-based model for simulating rainbows. Previous techniques for simulating rainbows have used either geometric optics (ray tracing) or Lorenz-Mie theory. Lorenz-Mie theory is by far the most accurate technique as it takes into account optical effects such as dispersion, polarization, interference, and diffraction. These effects are critical for simulating rainbows accurately. However, as Lorenz-Mie theory is restricted to scattering by spherical particles, it cannot be applied to real raindrops which are nonspherical, especially for larger raindrops. We present the first comprehensive technique for simulating the interaction of a wavefront of light with a physically-based water drop shape. Our technique is based on ray tracing extended to account for dispersion, polarization, interference, and diffraction. Our model matches Lorenz-Mie theory for spherical particles, but it also enables the accurate simulation of nonspherical particles. It can simulate many different rainbow phenomena including double rainbows and supernumerary bows. We show how the nonspherical raindrops influence the shape of the rainbows, and we provide a simulation of the rare twinned rainbow, which is believed to be caused by nonspherical water drops.
Keywords:
Design
Theory
Verification
Rainbows
Lorenz-Mie theory
optical properties
phase function
appearance modeling
realistic rendering
AI Summary

AI Summary

Key information extracted from the uploaded paper, including a brief overview, abstract, background, key highlights, visual analysis, and future outlook.

Journal

ACM Transactions on Graphics cover
ACM Transactions on Graphics
IF:
9.5
Papers:
4.7K
Citations:
3.6W

Organization

University of California System cover
University of California System
Scholars:
37.5W
Papers: 33.7W
Citations: 6.6K
U
University of California San Diego
Scholars:
4.6W
Papers: 3.5W
Citations: 924