Global, uniform, asymptotic wave-equation solutions for large wave numbers.

For each of a large class of linear wave equations - relevant, for example to very general acoustical or optical propagation problems - we develop within a single expression a global, uniform, asymptotic solution for large wave numbers (small wave lengths) based on coherent-state transformation techniques. Such techniques effectively separate the configuration-space field into its orientational components, and thus analogous to a phase-space description of rays by their position and direction. The resultant coherent-state approximation offers distinct advantages over more traditional asymptotic approximation based direct or Fourier transform techniques.