24 CAUSTIC CURVES Definition Let S be a given curve and let F be a fixed point called the radiant point. If rays from F are reflected by the curve, the envelope of the reflected rays is called the caustic of S with F as radiant point. Expressing this geometrically, let any line through F meet the curve at Q and let QP be drawn so that QP and QF make equal angles with the tangent to the curve at Q; then the envelope of QP is the caustic. This caustic by reflection is sometimes called the catacaustic, to distinguish it from a curve similarly formed (the diacaustic) when the rays are refracted. Dia- caustics will not be discussed here and the word caustic will be used to mean the catacaustic. The Drawing of Caustics In general it is necessary to draw the normal (or the tangent) to the curve at Q. If the image of Fin the normal (or the tangent) is joined to Q, this is the line QP whose envelope is the caustic. If the curve S is a circle, however, use can be made of the fact that equal chords drawn from a point on the circumference are equally inclined to the radius. The following examples are suggested for drawing: 1. The caustic of a circle with radiant point on the circumference, This is the cardioid, as proved on p. 41 (see also below). 2. The caustic of a ciréle with radiant point at infinity. This is the nephroid, as shown on p. 70. 3. The caustic of a circle with radiant point inside or outside the circle. 4. The caustic of a parabola for parallel rays perpendicular to its axis (T'schirn- hausen’s Cubic). 5. The caustic of a cycloidal arch for parallel rays perpendicular to the base. (In Fig. 57, p. 83, it can be seen that the reflected ray is the radius PO of the rolling circle. See also p. 86, Ex. 2.) 6. The caustic of a cardioid with radiant point at the cusp. (In Fig. 24, p. 38, PQ is the normal. If the tangent to the circle at Q is drawn first, and P found as [183]A BOOK OF CURVES the image of A in the tangent, the normal PQ can be accurately drawn. The resultant, caustic is a nephroid.) 7. The caustic of a cardioid with radiant point opposite to the cusp. Fig. 122 The Caustic as an Evolute * In Fig. 122, Q and q are points on the given curve and circles are drawn through F, intersecting at F’, with these points as centres, By congruent triangles, F’ is the image of F in Qg and, in the limit, as q approaches Q, the image of F in the tangent at Q to the given curve. F’, moreover, becomes a point on the envelope of the circles, and F’Q becomes a normal to this envelope. (It will be recalled that the cardioid, for example, was drawn as an envelope in this way.) Now the locus of F’ is a curve similar to the pedal of the given curve with respect to F, but on double scale. (This curve is called the orthotomic of S with respect to F.) F’Qis, therefore, [184]CAUSTIC CURVES the normal to the orthotomic. But the envelope of F’Q is the caustic. Hence the caustic is the evolute of the orthotomic. The nature of certain caustics can be easily seen from this. For example, the pedal (or orthotomic) of a circle with respect to a point on its circumference is a cardioid; and the evolute of a cardioid is another cardioid; therefore the caustic of a circle with radiant point on the circumference is a cardioid. Again, the pedal of an ellipse with respect to its focus is a circle; and the evolute of a circle is a single point, the centre. Hence the caustic of an ellipse with radiant point at a focus is a single point (the other focus). By the same argument, the caustic of a rectangular hyperbola with radiant point at its centre is the evolute of the lemniscate. Some Curves and their Caustics Curve Circle Circle Parabol ‘Tschirnhausen’s Cubic Cardioid Deltoid Cissoid Cycloidal arch Equiangular spiral Rays From point on circumference Parallel Perpendicular to axis From pole From cusp Parallel (in any direction) From point on axis (beyond asymp- tote) whose distance from the cusp is, four times that of the asymptote Perpendicular to base From pole [185] Nephroid Tochituhausen’s Cubic Semi-cubic parabola Astroid Cardioid ‘Two cycloidal arches An equal spiral