Ben <nomail@nomail> wrote:
> Can POVRay be used to make nearly-accurate-to-physics models for optics beyond
> refraction and reflection... to diffraction, interference, etc.?

  Short answer: No.

  The so-called unbiased renderers, which support BRDF definitions, are
designed for this exact purpose. In other words, if you are able to
describe the physical property of an object with a BRDF, the renderer
will then be able to simulate that property with a high degree of accuracy.
(Of course in many cases it will be extremely slow, and getting a good,
non-grainy result can take humongous amounts of time.)

  Unfortunately POV-Ray is not such a renderer. (On the plus side you
get non-grainy results which are often quite good pretty fast in most
cases.)

-- 
                                                          - Warp

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