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I'd say the last model is necessary for explaining refraction, but not for describing it (where a simpler wave model suffices).



Huygens explained refraction using classical wave velocities only. Though I agree there is a similarity between his notion wave-sources everywhere and path integrals. (Which is odd since path-integrals are a very particle oriented way of thinking).

What Huygens' explanation leaves slightly mysterious, is why (beyond a mathematical coincidence) this result just happens to also give the minimum-time result. Path integrals explain that very nicely.




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