Frozen Gaussian approximation for high frequency wave propagation

Abstract: We propose the frozen Gaussian approximation for computation of high frequency wave propagation. This method approximates the solution to the wave equation by an integral representation. It provides a highly efficient computational tool based on the asymptotic analysis on the phase plane. Compared to geometric optics, it provides a valid solution around caustics. Compared to the Gaussian beam method, it not only overcomes the drawback of beam spreading but also improves the asymptotic accuracy. We give several numerical examples to verify that the frozen Gaussian approximation performs well in the presence of caustics and when the Gaussian beam spreads.