Total backward reflection of electromagnetic radiation due to resonant excitation of surface waves.

Abstract

We consider a p-polarized electromagnetic wave incident on a semi-infinite plasma covered by a dielectric layer. The plasma density is supposed to vary periodically along the plasma surface. The coefficients for specular as well as backward reflection are calculated. We show that, for certain parameter values, the specular reflection vanishes completely because all the energy is reflected in the backward direction due to the excitation of leaking surface waves.