Electromagnetic wave refraction on the interface of absorptive and transparent isotropic media and non-resonant excitation of surface waves

Abstract

New formulae for the angles of refraction at the interface of the absorbing/transparent isotropic media are derived from Maxwell's equations. Using the time-averaged Poynting vector for the direction of the beam of light, the noncoincidence of incidence and refraction planes is predicted for the mixed polarization of incident wave. The angle between the refracted beam and incidence plane is especially large for the condition of non-resonant excitation of surface electromagnetic waves at a flat interface of absorptive-transparent media.