Modeling of inhomogeneous monochromatic plane wave at the interface between two arbitrary homogeneous anisotropic absorbent media

Abstract

This work aims to model the interaction of an inhomogeneous monochromatic oblique plane wave with a plane interface separating two semi-infinite homogeneous media. These media can be either isotropic or anisotropic, absorbent or not. A numerical method is proposed to generalize previously developed procedures, which were restricted to the case of incident homogeneous waves, interacting with absorbing materials. In this case the waves propagating are always inhomogeneous. Due to this inhomogeneity of the waves, the choice of compatible parameter for the incident wave is to be done on an energy criterion and not necessarily on a radiation one. The computation of all the parameters of all the involved waves makes several unexpected phenomena or behaviors to arise. For instance, by applying the study to the case of a water/nickel monocrystal interface, incident directions for which the energy flow vector is directed toward the transmission medium, whereas the slowness vector is directed toward the incident medium, are observed. The appearance of leaps in the reflection coefficient will then be explained by an orientation change of the slowness vector, which results from a forward/return of the energy flow vector through the interface.