Field and Poynting vectors of homogeneous waves in uniaxial and absorbing dielectric media

Abstract

The propagation of a homogeneous plane wave in uniaxial and absorbing dielectric media is described in detail. Complete expressions for electric displacement field, electric field, magnetic field and Poynting vector are derived using a new formalism that simplifies the interpretation of polarization. These expressions are analysed and verified in some particular situations. Whilst absorption is directly determined by the absorption coeffcient k, the field geometry depends exclusively on the absorption index X for given ordinary and extraordinary refractive indices. When ordinary and extraordinary absorption indices are equal, the field geometry coincides with the field geometry in a transparent medium with the same refractive index as the absorbing medium.