This book outlines the asymptotic methods in the theory of diffraction,
which manifest their strong heuristic nature, including the geometrical
theory of diffraction by J.B. Keller, the physical theory of diffraction
by P.Ya. Ufimtsev, the parabolic wave-equation method by Leontovich and
Fock, which forms the basis for quasi-optics, the complex geometrical
optics as well as the Maslov's, Kravtsov-Ludwig's and Orlov's asymptotic
methods for a caustic-wave-fields description.
The book is addressed to engineers, applied physicists and students, who
need a compact, without complicated mathematics, comprehensive outline
of the most effective methods of diffraction theory, capable of
describing the lion's share of applied problems.