Examples of isoptic ruled surfaces (Q2019746)

The \textit{isoptic} to a planar curve consists of all points where curve tangents intersect in a specified angle \(\alpha\). In case of \(\alpha = \frac{\pi}{2}\) one speaks of \textit{orthoptics.} Both, isoptics and orthoptics, are well-studied topics of classical curve theory. Extension of these concepts to space curves or surfaces is notoriously difficult. Some recent attempts to define isoptic surfaces only allow approximating computations. In this article the author considers the exceptional case of developable surfaces. Since they only have a one-dimensional set of tangent planes, \textit{isoptic ruled surfaces} can be defined as locus of points, where two tangent planes intersect in a prescribed angle~\(\alpha\). The case of \(\alpha = \frac{\pi}{2}\) yields \textit{orthoptic ruled surfaces.} The article starts off with some rather simple remarks on isoptic ruled surfaces of cylinders and cones, followed by the statement that isoptic ruled surfaces of helical and spiral developable surfaces are helical and spiral surfaces, respectively. In these classes there always exist surfaces that are developable themselves. The computation of isoptic ruled surfaces to rational or polynomial developable surfaces results in massive use of computer algebra and restriction to orthoptic ruled surfaces simplifies computations only a bit. Nonetheless, developable surfaces with special cubic or quartic edge of regression are found that result in simple (reducible) orthoptic ruled surfaces that are visualized in impressive manner. For the entire collection see [Zbl 1458.00031].