Inhomogeneous plane waves: Energy conservation and reflection coefficient

Abstract

In studying the reflection and transmission of inhomogeneous plane waves at liquid‐solid interfaces, it is found that the theory predicts a minimum in the reflection coefficient at the Rayleigh angle. This phenomenon was not predicted previously using homogeneous plane waves. Even surprising is the fact that the modulus of the reflection coefficient of inhomogeneous plane waves becomes greater than unity for angles larger than the Rayleigh angle. It is shown that this phenomenon is consistent with the principle of conservation of energy and a physical interpretation leads to explanation of the shift of those waves along the surface (Schoch displacement).