A Focusing Property of the Ellipse
Marc Frantz
Keywords: amplification, ellipse, focusing, parallel rays, reflection
In this article, which first appeared in the American Mathematical Monthly, Frantz uses mathematics to establish and quantify a focusing property of ellipses. Potential areas of application include solar energy collection, laser technology (and possibly longitudinal wave amplification). Some experimenters may find the math tedious; however, others will appreciate the detailed proof. The italicized paragraph (page 27) and summary (page 28) may suffice for experimenters wanting to know the practical significance.
