Spatial distribution of a time-harmonic wave field scattered by a one-dimensional medium

Abstract

This is a discussion of the problem of finding the spatial distribution of the perturbations of an electromagnetic wave for a one-dimensional medium with linear optical properties that vary arbitrarily from point to point. It is shown that, for an arbitrary point in the medium, the wave perturbation is formed by multiple reflections. Some aspects of interpreting the properties of the medium and of the transfer of wave perturbations from point to point are examined on the basis of the superposition principle and the principle of invariant imbedding.