Some properties of secantoptics of ovals (Q664223)

Let \(C \dots z(t) = p(t) e^{it} + \dot{p}(t)i e^{it}\); \(p(t) + \ddot{p}(t) > 0\) be a planar closed oval \(C^3\)-curve and let \(\beta \in [0, \pi)\), \(\gamma \in [0, \pi-\beta)\), \(\alpha \in (\beta+\gamma, \pi)\) be three constants. Then the \textit{secantoptic} \(C_{\alpha, \beta, \gamma} \dots z_{\alpha, \beta, \gamma}(t)\) of \(C\) belonging to the parameters \(\alpha, \beta, \gamma\) is defined as the locus of intersection points of the secants \(s_1(t)\) and \(s_2(t)\) of \(C\), where \(s_1(t)\) emerges by rotating the tangent of \(C\) with contact point \(z(t)\) by angle \(\beta\) clockwise and \(s_2(t)\) emerges by rotating the tangent of \(C\) with contact point \(z(t+\alpha-\beta-\gamma)\) by angle \(\gamma\) counterclockwise. Beside some tangent properties and the converse of the sine theorem for secantoptics with a general closed oval curve as base curve the authors discuss properties of secantoptics where, in particular, the base curve \(C\) is a curve of constant width. For example, it is proved that for a curve \(C\) of constant width the points \(z_{\alpha, \beta, \gamma}(t)\) and \(z_{\alpha, \beta, \gamma}(t+\pi)\) on a corresponding secantoptic have constant distance.