On the Uncoupling of Wiener-Hopf Equations for Half-Plane Diffraction Problems in a Gyrotropic Medium

Abstract

Integral equations of the Wiener-Hopf type appear in the study of electromagnetic diffraction problems by a half-plane. When the environment is gyroelectric and characterized by an arbitrary permittivity tensor and a scalar permeability, the equations become coupled and no general method of solution is available unless a certain specific criterion is met. Hurd formulated this criterion and examined a number of solvable cases. The present paper extends Hurd's work to include oblique incidence on a half-plane in a gyrotropic medium. Media which are characterized by an arbitrary permittivity tensor and a diagonal permeability tensor are considered. An analogous but more general class of situations is obtained which permits the uncoupling of the Wiener-Hopf equations.