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Incoming links: Augustin Fresnel, Institut Fresnel biography
Augustin-Jean Fresnel Created 2026-10-18 Updated 2026-11-05
Augustin-Jean Fresnel developed wave descriptions of diffraction and polarization of an electromagnetic wave. Fresnel diffraction retains the curvature of the propagation wave phase, letting a wave account predict patterns at finite distances from an aperture. His polarization work helped establish the transverse character of light. In a modern example, orthogonal linear polarizations have no interference cross term in an ordinary total-intensity measurement; the field directions matter as well as the relative wave phase. He also connected optical theory with practical lighthouse illumination through the Fresnel lens.[ref]
Augustin Fresnel, Institut Fresnel biography. Institutional account: wave optics, Fresnel integrals, polarization and lighthouse lenses; orthogonal-polarization example expressed in modern terms
A physicist.[ref]
https://www.fresnel.fr/wp/institut/presentation/augustin-fresnel/. Independent biographical identity and professional specialization
Portrait of Augustin-Jean Fresnel
. Pierre-Jean David d’Angers, sculptor; photograph by Eric Emo; Paris Musées / Musée Carnavalet, S668. Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication, as supplied by Paris Musées. Source usage terms, via Wikimedia Commons. Source.