Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2024 / iii / Paper 335 / 1 / ii / Solution

Withthe parabolic wave equation is $E_x=(D+S)E$. Freeze $S$ at $x_0$, or preferably at the step midpoint. Over a short distance $\Delta x$, Lie-Trotter splitting givesThe reversed ordering has the same first-order accuracy, while symmetric half-steps in $S$ give the more accurate Strang form.

The commutator can be displayed explicitly. If $q=n^2-1$, thenThe splitting assumption requires $\Delta x^2[D,S]E$ to be small relative to $E$. It is favored by a short range step, a transversely smooth refractive index, and a field without unresolved large transverse wavenumbers. Freezing $S$ also requires $\Delta x{S}_x$ to be small. These conditions supplement the one-way and paraxial approximation already used in part i.

The phase-screen substep is pointwise:DefineThen solve the free-diffraction initial-value problemto $x_0+\Delta x$. In transverse Fourier transform variables, this substep is simplyThis is the split-step Fourier method.