Radius Of Curvature

Definition
In differential geometry, the radius of curvature,
R, is the reciprocal of the curvature. For a curve, it
equals the radius of the circular arc which best
approximates the curve at that point. For surfaces,
the radius of curvature is the radius of a circle that
best fits a normal section or combinations thereof.

In the case of a space curve, the radius of curvature is the length of the curvature vector.
In the case of a plane curve, then R is the absolute value of

where s is the arc length from a fixed point on the curve, φ is the tangential angle and κ is the curvature.
Formula
In 2D:
If the curve is given in Cartesian coordinates as y(x), then the radius of curvature is (assuming the curve is
differentiable up to order 2):

and |z| denotes the absolute value of z.

In n dimensions:
If γ : ℝ → ℝn is a parametrized curve in ℝn then the radius of curvature at each point of the curve, ρ : ℝ → ℝ, is
given by
Examples
Semicircles & Circles:
For a semicircle of radius a in the upper half-plane:

Elipses:
In an ellipse with major axis, 2a and minor axis 2b, the vertices on the major axis have the smallest radius of
curvature of any points, R =b2/a; and the vertices on the minor axis have the largest radius of curvature of any
points, R =a2/b.
Applications
Stress In Semiconductor Structures
The stress in thin-film semiconductor structures results in the buckling of the wafers. The radius of the curvature of the stressed structure is
related to the stress tensor in the structure and can be described by the modified Stoney formula. The topography of the stressed structure
including radii of curvature can be measured using optical scanner methods. The modern scanner tools have the capability to measure the full
topography of the substrate and to measure both principal radii of curvature while providing the accuracy of the order of 0.1% for radii of
curvature of 90 meters and more.

Cesàro equation
In geometry, the Cesàro equation of a plane curve is an equation relating the curvature (κ) at a point of the curve to the arc length (s) from the
start of the curve to the given point. It may also be given as an equation relating the radius of curvature (R) to arc length. (These are
equivalent because R =1/κ) Two congruent curves will have the same Cesàro equation. Cesàro equations are named after Ernesto Cesàro.
Optics
Radius of curvature (ROC) has a specific meaning and sign convention in optical design. A spherical lens or mirror
surface has a center of curvature located either along or decentered from the system local optical axis. The vertex of the
lens surface is located on the local optical axis. The distance from the vertex to the center of curvature is the radius of
curvature of the surface.

The sign convention for the optical radius of curvature is as follows:

If the vertex lies to the left of the center of curvature, the radius of curvature is positive.
If the vertex lies to the right of the center of curvature, the radius of curvature is negative.
Thank You !