PLANE WAVE SOLUTIONS OF MAXWELL' S EQUATIONS

I. CHARACTERISTICS OF P LANE WAVE SOLUTIONS :

For the record, let us once again restate the form of the macroscopic Maxwell's equations
in the time domain which is valid in the high frequency or optical regime.
r r r ∂ r r ∂ r r
∇ × E(r ,t) = − B(r,t ) = −µ 0 H(r ,t ) [I-1a]
∂t ∂t

r r r r r r r r ∂ r r  ∂ r r
∇ × B(r,t) = µ0 ∇ × H(r ,t) = µ 0 J(r,t) + P(r ,t ) + ε0 µ0 E(r,t ) [I-1b]
 ∂t  ∂t

[ ]
r r r 1 r r r r
∇ ⋅ E(r,t ) = ρ(r,t ) − ∇ ⋅ P(r,t ) [I-1c]
ε0
r rr r r r
∇ ⋅ B(r,t ) = µ0 ∇ ⋅ H(r ,t) = 0 [I-1d]

The most general phenomenological tensorial representation of the linear dielectric response
of a given material which incorporates dissipative and anisotropic effects may be
written in the time domain as
t

∑ ∫ dt′ χ
r r r
Pα (r, t ) = ε 0 αβ ( r, t − t ′) Eβ (r, t ′) [I-2a]
β −∞

or in the frequency domain as

∑χ
r r r
Pα ( r, ω ) = ε 0 αβ (r, ω ) Eβ (r , ω) [I-2b]
β

where
t ∞

∫ ∫
r r r
χα β ( r, ω ) = dt ′ χα β ( r, t −t ′) exp[ j ω (t − t ′ ) ] = dτ χα β ( r, τ ) exp[ j ω τ ] [I-3]
−∞ 0
PLANE WAVE SOLUTIONS OF MAXWELL' S EQUATIONS PAGE 2

Neglecting anisotropy, the macroscopic, optical regime Maxwell's equations in the

frequency domain for a linear, isotropic media may be written
r r r r r r r r r r r
∇ × E( r , ω) = ∇ × ε −1( r,ω ) D(r , ω ) = − j ω B( r, ω ) = −jω µ 0H (r, ω ) [I-4a]
r r r r r r r r r r r
∇ × B( r, ω ) = µ0 ∇ × H( r, ω ) = µ0 J(r , ω ) + j ω µ 0 ε ( r, ω ) E(r ,ω )
rr r r [I-4b]
= µ0 J( r, ω ) + j ω µ0 D( r, ω )
r r r r r r r r
∇ ⋅ε( r , ω) E(r, ω ) = ∇ ⋅ D( r, ω ) = ρ( r, ω ) [I-4c]
r rr r r r
∇ ⋅ B( r, ω ) = µ0 ∇ ⋅ H (r, ω ) = 0 [I-4d]
r
Consider the possibility of a plane wave solution within a uniform medium -- i.e. ε (r , ω ) ≡ ε( ω) .

R. Victor Jones, October 23, 2002

PLANE WAVE SOLUTIONS OF MAXWELL' S EQUATIONS PAGE 3

of the form

[ ]
r r r r r r
( )
E( r, ω ) = E(ω ) exp − j r ⋅ k = E(ω ) exp − j ( x k x + y ky + zk z ) [I-5]

so that the spatial partial derivatives simplify to

∂ r r r r r r r r
∂x
E( r, ω ) = E(ω )
∂
∂x
( ) (
exp − j r ⋅ k = E(ω ) [− j kx ] exp − j r ⋅ k ) [I-6a]

∂ r r r r r r r r
∂y
E( r, ω ) = E(ω )
∂
∂y
( ) [ ] (
exp −j r ⋅ k = E(ω ) − j ky exp − j r ⋅ k ) [I-6b]

∂ r r r r r r r r
∂z
E( r, ω ) = E(ω )
∂
∂z
( ) ( )
exp − j r ⋅ k = E(ω ) [ −j k z ] exp −j r ⋅ k . [I-6c]

Therefore
r r r r r r r r r r
( )
∇ ⋅ E( r, ω ) = ∇ ⋅ E( ω ) exp −j r ⋅ k = − j k ⋅ E( r, ω ) [I-7a]
r r r r r r r r r r
( )
∇ × E( r , ω) = ∇ × E(ω ) exp −j r ⋅ k = −j k × E( r , ω) [I-7b]

and Maxwell's equations in a charge/current free region become

r r r r r
− j k × E( r, ω ) = − jω µ0 H( r, ω ) [I-8a]
r r r r r
− j k × H( r, ω ) = j ω ε( ω) E(r, ω ) [I-8b]
r r r
− j k ⋅ E(r, ω ) = 0 [I-8c]
r r r
− j k ⋅ H(r , ω ) = 0 [I-8d]
r
Operate through on both sides of Equation [I-8a] with the operator " k × "

R. Victor Jones, October 23, 2002

PLANE WAVE SOLUTIONS OF MAXWELL' S EQUATIONS PAGE 4

r r r r r r r
[ ]
k × k × E( r , ω) = ω µ0 k × H( r, ω ) [I-9a]

and using the "bac-cab" rule1 and Equation [I-8b] this becomes
r r r r r r r r r r
[ ] [ ]
k k ⋅ E( r, ω ) − k ⋅ k E(r , ω ) = −ω 2 µ0 ε (ω ) E(r, ω ) [I-9b]

or finally
r r r r r r
[ ]
k ⋅ k E(r ,ω ) = ω 2 µ 0 ε(ω ) E(r, ω ) ⇒ k2 = ω 2 µ0 ε (ω ) [I-9c]

Substituting into Equation [I-8a]

r r r r r r
[ ]
H (r, ω ) = (ω µ0 ) k kˆ × E( r, ω ) = ε (ω ) µ0 kˆ × E(r , ω )
−1
[ ] [I-10]

so that the wave impedance is given by

r r r r
η(ω ) = E( r, ω ) H( r, ω ) = µ0 ε( ω ) . [I-11]

Thus, the complete expression for an electromagnetic plane wave propagating in a direction
kˆ is

[ ( )]
r r r r r
E( r, t ) = E(ω ) exp − j r ⋅ k − ω t [I-12a]
r r r r
[
H (r, t ) = [η(ω )] kˆ × E( r, ω)
−1
] [I-12b]

r r r r r r r r r
1 That is ( )
a × b × c = b( a ⋅ c) − c a ⋅ b . ( )
R. Victor Jones, October 23, 2002
PLANE WAVE SOLUTIONS OF MAXWELL' S EQUATIONS PAGE 5

II. ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFACIAL CONTINUITY CONDITIONS :

The previous section gives a complete plane wave solution within a particular uniform,
linear, isotropic medium. The key remaining problem is to find how that solution may be
extended into a second uniform, linear, isotropic medium. The conditions for extending
the solution across an interface between two materials are give by consideration of the
appropriate integral forms of Maxwell's equations -- viz.
r r r ∂ r r r
∫ E(r, t ) ⋅ d l = −
∂t ∫∫ B( r, t ) ⋅ d A [II-1a]

r r r rr r ∂ r r r
∫ H(r, t ) ⋅ d l = ∫∫ J(r, t ) ⋅ d A +
∂t ∫∫ D(r , t) ⋅ d A [II-1b]

Applying these equations to the small thought loop that spans the interfacial surface, as
illustrated below

"Thought"
loop
r ∆l
Medium 1 −τ
[ε 1 , σ 1 , µ1 ] Interface
r
τ Medium 2
∆L [ε 2 , σ 2 , µ 2 ]

it is seen that Equation [II-1a] yields

r r r r r r r
{ }
r
∫ E(r, t ) ⋅ d l ⇒ E 2 (r, t) − E1(r , t) ⋅ τ ∆L ⇒ 0 [II-2]

rr
unless B(r, t ) is pathologically large over the loop. Similarly, it is seen that Equation
[II-1b] yields

R. Victor Jones, October 23, 2002

PLANE WAVE SOLUTIONS OF MAXWELL' S EQUATIONS PAGE 6

r r r r r r r
{ }
r
∫ H(r, t ) ⋅ d l ⇒ H2 (r , t ) − H1(r, t) ⋅ τ ∆L ⇒ 0 [II-3]

rr r r
unless J( r, t ) and/or D(r, t) are pathologically large over the loop.

In words and in general,

r r the tangential component of ther electric
r
field strength E( r, t ) and the magnetic field strength H (r, t ) are
continuous across an interfacial r rsurface between two materials
unless electric current density J( r, t ) , the magnetic flux density
rr r r
B(r, t ) , or the electric flux density D(r, t) are pathologically
large near that interfacial surface.

III. THE F RESNEL EQUATIONS :

Consider then a plane wave incident on a planar interfacial surface.

The Spatial Configuration: 2

2 Note: In this figure we have taken the plane of reflection to be identical to the plane of incidence. While
assumed here for simplicity, this important identity is establish in the analysis below.
R. Victor Jones, October 23, 2002
PLANE WAVE SOLUTIONS OF MAXWELL' S EQUATIONS PAGE 7

The Mathematical Representation of Fields :

In abstract vector form, the incident field is given by3
r r r
E inc = E inc{
⊥ − η1 k } (
ˆ inc × H||inc exp − jk 1 kˆ inc⋅ rr )
r r r inc [III-1a]
Hinc = H inc
||{+ η − 1 ˆ inc
1 k × E ⊥ }
exp − j k1 kˆ inc⋅ r(r
)
the reflected field is given by
r r r
{ } ( )
r
E ref = E ⊥ref −η1 kˆ ref × H||ref exp − j k1 kˆ ref⋅ r
r r r [III-2]
H ref = { −1 ˆ ref
|| + η1 k
H ref × Eref
⊥ } ( r
exp − j k1 kˆ ref ⋅ r )
and the transmitted field is given by
r r r
{ } ( )
r
E tran = E⊥tran −η2 kˆ tran × H||tran exp − j k 2 kˆ tran ⋅ r
r r r [III-3]
{
H tran = H||tran + η2−1 kˆ tran × Etran
⊥ } (
exp − j k2 kˆ tran⋅ r
r
)
In coordinate form these equations become:
r
{ ˆ ˆ ˆ inc
ˆ }
⊥ y −η1 [− cosθinc x + sinθ inc z] × [ H|| y] exp[ −j k1 ( −x cosθ inc + zsinθ inc )]
E inc = E inc
r [III-1b]
{
Hinc = H ||incyˆ + η1−1[ −cosθ inc xˆ + sinθinc zˆ ] × [ E inc }
⊥ y ] exp[ − j k1 ( −x cosθ inc + zsinθ inc )]
ˆ
r
{ ˆ ˆ ˆ ref
ˆ }
⊥ y − η1 [ cosθ ref x + sinθ ref z] × [H || y] exp[ − j k1 ( xcosθ ref + zsinθ ref )]
E ref = E ref
r [III-2b]
{
H ref = H||ref yˆ + η1−1 [cosθ ref xˆ + sinθ ref zˆ ] × [E ref }
⊥ y] exp[ − j k1 ( x cosθref + zsinθ ref )]
ˆ

3 A note on notation: The subscripts ⊥ and || refer to the polariztion of the electric field taken with respect to the
plane of incidence. The ⊥ field components are also called transverse electric or TE components and the ||
field components are called transverse magnetic or TM components.
R. Victor Jones, October 23, 2002
PLANE WAVE SOLUTIONS OF MAXWELL' S EQUATIONS PAGE 8

r
{ ˆ ˆ ˆ tran
ˆ }
⊥ y −η 2 [ −cosθ tran x + sinθ tran z] × [ H || y] exp[− j k2 ( −x cosθtran + zsinθ tran )]
E tran = E tran
r [III-3b]
{ ˆ ˆ ˆ tran
ˆ }
|| y + η2 [ −cosθ tran x + sinθ tran z ] × [E ⊥ y] exp[ −j k2 ( −x cosθ tran + z sinθtran ) ]
H tran = Htran −1

Or expanding out the cross-products:

r
{ ˆ inc
ˆ ˆ}
⊥ y + (η1 H || )[ cosθ inc z + sinθinc x ] exp [− j k1 (− xcosθ inc + zsinθ inc )]
E inc = E inc
r [III-1c]
{ }
H inc = H ||incyˆ − ( η1−1 E⊥inc )[cosθ inc zˆ + sinθinc xˆ ] exp[ − j k1 ( −xcosθinc + zsinθ inc )]
r
{ ˆ ref
ˆ ˆ }
⊥ y + (η1 H|| )[ − cosθ ref z + sinθ ref x] exp[ − j k1 ( xcosθ ref + zsinθ ref )]
E ref = E ref
r [III-2c]
{ }
H ref = H||ref yˆ − (η1−1 E ⊥ref )[ − cosθref zˆ + sinθref xˆ ] exp[ − j k1 ( x cosθref + zsinθ ref )]
r
{ ˆ tran
ˆ ˆ }
⊥ y + (η 2 H|| )[cosθtran z + sinθ tran x] exp[ − j k2 ( −x cosθ tran + zsinθ tran )]
E tran = E tran
r [III-3c]
{ ˆ −1 tran
ˆ ˆ }
|| y − (η2 E⊥ )[ cosθ tran z +sinθ tran x ] exp[− j k 2 (− xcosθ tran + zsinθ tran )]
Htran = Htran

Applying any kind of continuity conditions at the interface requires that

θ ref = θinc Law of Sinus [III-4a]

k 2 sinθ tran = k1 sinθinc Law of Snell [III-4b]

Applying, in particular, the continuity conditions discussed in the previous section -- viz.
r r r r
[ ] [ ] [ ]
E⊥1 tang = E2⊥ tang and H1⊥ tang = H⊥2 tang [ ] [III-5]

at the interface, requires that

⊥ + E⊥ = E⊥
E inc ref tran

[III-6]
η1−1 cosθinc [E inc
⊥ − E ⊥ ] = η2 cosθtran [E ⊥ ]
ref −1 tran

R. Victor Jones, October 23, 2002

PLANE WAVE SOLUTIONS OF MAXWELL' S EQUATIONS PAGE 9

and that
H||inc + H ref
|| = H||tran
[III-7]
η1 cosθ inc [Hinc
|| − H|| ] = η2 cosθtran [ H || ]
ref tran

These two sets of equations yield the Fresnel Reflection Equations

E ref η1−1 cosθ inc −η2−1 cosθ tran 

⊥
=  −1 −1  [III-8a]
E inc
⊥  η1 cosθinc +η2 cosθ tran 
and
H||ref η1 cosθinc −η2 cosθtran 
=  [III-9a]
H||inc η1 cosθinc +η2 cosθtran 

Since η1−1 sinθ inc = η2−1 sinθ tran

E ref cosθ inc sinθtran − cosθ tran sinθ inc sin (θtran − θinc )
inc = =
⊥
[III-8b]
E⊥ cosθ inc sinθ tran + cosθ tran sinθ inc sin(θ tran +θ inc )
and

H||ref cosθ inc sinθinc − cosθ tran sinθ tran tan( θ inc −θ tran )
= = [III-9b]
H||inc cosθ inc sinθ inc + cosθ tran sinθtran tan( θinc +θ tran )

These equations taken together with first equations from Equations [III-6] and [III-7] yield
the Fresnel Transmission Equations -- i.e.

E tran 2 cosθinc sinθtran

inc =
⊥
[III-10]
E⊥ cosθinc sinθtran + cosθ tran sinθinc
and

H||tran 2 cosθ inc sinθinc

inc = [III-11]
H|| cosθ inc sinθ inc + cosθtran sinθ tran

R. Victor Jones, October 23, 2002

PLANE WAVE SOLUTIONS OF MAXWELL' S EQUATIONS PAGE 10

FA M O U S FRESNEL R EFLECTION C U R V E S ( n2 n1 = η1 n2 = ε 2 ε1 =1.5 )

The minimum (zero) in H||ref Hinc

|| occurs at the Brewster angle where

tan(θinc + θtran )⇒ ∞
Brewster Brewster
[III-12a]

θ tran = π 2 −θ inc
Brewster Brewster
or [III-12b]

or (from Snell's equation)

= η1 η 2 = n2 n1 = ε 2 ε1 .
Brewster
tanθ inc [III-12c]

R. Victor Jones, October 23, 2002

PLANE WAVE SOLUTIONS OF MAXWELL' S EQUATIONS PAGE 11

Total Internal Reflection

Reconsider Equation [III-3c] and use Snell's law to write the exponential factors in the
form

} [ ]
r
{ ⊥ y + (η 2 H|| )[cosθtran z + sinθ tran x] exp j x
E tran = E tran ˆ tran
ˆ ˆ k22 − k12 sin 2 θ inc exp[ −j z k1 sinθ inc ] [III-13]
r
When sinθinc > k2 k1 = n2 n1 ≡ sinθ inc
crit
, E tran , the solution in medium 2, is
attenuated!

incident
beam

attenuated
field

Reconsideration of Equation [III-8a] and [III-9a] shows that the magnitude of the
reflection coefficients are one when sinθinc > sinθinc
crit
-- viz.

E ref
 cosθ − j sin 2 θ − (k k ) 2    sin 2 θ − (k k )2 
  −1  
inc = = exp− j 2 tan
⊥ inc inc 2 1 inc 2 1
[III-14a]
 cosθ inc + j sin 2 θ inc − (k 2 k1 )  
  
2
E⊥ cosθ
 inc

and


H||ref  cosθ inc − j ( k1 k2 ) sin2 θinc − 1    (k k ) 2 sin 2 θ − 1 
2

=  = exp− j 2 tan  1 2
−1 inc
 . [III-14b]
H||inc  cosθ inc + j ( k1 k2 ) sin θinc − 1     
2 2 cosθ inc

R. Victor Jones, October 23, 2002

PLANE WAVE SOLUTIONS OF MAXWELL' S EQUATIONS PAGE 12

IV. A DIFFERENT "TAKE " ON THE F RESNEL EQUATIONS :

Equations [III-1c] through [III-3c] may be rewritten in the following form:
r
E inc = {E inc
⊥ y + H|| (η1 cosθinc ) z + H|| (η1 sinθ inc ) x} exp[− jk 1 ( −x cosθinc + z sinθinc )]
ˆ inc
ˆ inc
ˆ
r
{ }
[IV-1a]
⊥ (η1 cosθinc ) z − E ⊥ (η1 sinθ inc) x exp[ − j k1 ( −x cosθinc + zsinθ inc )]
H inc = H||inc yˆ − E inc −1 inc −1
ˆ ˆ
r
E ref = {E ref
⊥ y − H|| (η1 cosθ ref ) z + H|| ( η1 sinθ ref ) x} exp [− j k1 ( x cosθ ref + z sinθref )]
ˆ ref
ˆ ref
ˆ
r
{ }
[IV-1b]
H ref = H ||ref yˆ + E⊥ref (η1−1 cosθref ) zˆ − E⊥ref (η1− 1 sinθ ref ) xˆ exp[ − j k1 ( x cosθ ref + zsinθ ref )]
r
E tran = { E tran
⊥ y + H || (η2 cosθ tran ) z + H || (η2 sinθ tran ) x} exp[− j k2 ( −x cosθtran + zsinθ tran )]
ˆ tran
ˆ tran
ˆ
r
{ }
[IV-1c]
Htran = Htran || y − E⊥ (η 2 cosθ tran ) z − E ⊥ (η2 sinθ tran ) x exp[− j k2 ( −xcosθ tran + zsinθ tran )]
tran −1 tran −1
ˆ ˆ ˆ

Notice: If η ⊥ = η cosθ is interpreted as the

characteristic impedance of a wave polarized perpendicular to

the plane of incidence (TE wave) which is propagating at an
angle θ with respect to the normal of an interfacial plane and

if η || = η cosθ is interpreted as the characteristic

impedance of a wave polarized parallel to the plane of

incidence (TM wave) which is propagating at an angle θ with
respect to the normal of an interfacial plane, then the whole
analysis of specular reflection fits neatly into transmission line
theory .

In particular, a re-interpretation the famous transmission line equation for the

voltage reflection coefficient

R. Victor Jones, October 23, 2002

PLANE WAVE SOLUTIONS OF MAXWELL' S EQUATIONS PAGE 13

Z ( z,ω ) − Z c( ω )
ΓV ( z,ω ) = [IV-2]
Z ( z,ω ) + Z c (ω )

yields an equation for the electric field strength reflection coefficient at the interfacial plane
for TE waves

η tran
⊥ −η⊥ η2 cosθtran − η1 cosθinc
inc

Γ⊥ = tran inc = [IV-3]

η ⊥ + η⊥ η2 cosθ tran + η1 cosθinc

which is in precise agreement with Equation [III-8a] -- i.e.

E ref η1−1 cosθ inc −η2−1 cosθ tran 

⊥
=  −1 −1 .
E inc
⊥  η1 cosθinc +η2 cosθ tran 

Similarly, a re-interpretation the equally famous transmission line equation for the current
reflection coefficient

Y( z,ω) − Yc (ω )
ΓI (z,ω ) = [IV-4]
Y( z,ω ) + Yc (ω )

yields an equation for the magnetic field strength reflection coeficient at the interfacial plane
for TM waves

1 η tran −1 η inc 1 η2 cosθtran −1 η1 cosθinc

Γ|| = inc =
|| ||
[IV-5]
1 η || +1 η || 1 η2 cosθ tran +1 η1 cosθinc
tran

which is in precise agreement with Equation [III-9a] -- i.e.

H||ref η1 cosθinc −η2 cosθtran 

= .
H||inc η1 cosθinc +η2 cosθtran 

R. Victor Jones, October 23, 2002

PLANE WAVE SOLUTIONS OF MAXWELL' S EQUATIONS PAGE 14

V. P ARALLEL P LATE WAVEGUIDE:

Consider the propagation of a plane wave between two parallel perfectly conducting planes.

Perspective view Side view

Combining Equations [III-1c] and [III-2c], the electric field strength of the TE wave in the
region between the plates may be written
r
E ⊥ = yˆ [E inc
⊥ exp( j x k1 cosθinc ) + E ⊥ exp (− j x k1 cosθinc )] exp (− j z k1 sinθ inc )
ref
[V-1]

At x = 0 the field parallel to the surface of a perfect conductor must be zero so that
E ⊥ref = −E inc
⊥ and, therefore,

r
⊥ [ exp( j x k1 cosθ inc ) − exp(− j x k1 cosθ inc )] exp (− j z k1 sinθinc )
E ⊥ = yˆ E inc
[V-2]
⊥ sin( x k1 cosθ inc ) exp( − j z β )
= yˆ 2 j E inc

where β = k1 sinθinc . At the upper surface -- i.e. x = d -- the field parallel to the surface of
a perfect conductor must also be zero so that

d k1 cosθ inc = n π where n = 1,2,3, K [V-3]

and, therefore,
R. Victor Jones, October 23, 2002
PLANE WAVE SOLUTIONS OF MAXWELL' S EQUATIONS PAGE 15

βTE n = k1 sinθ inc = k12 − k12 cos 2 θ inc = k12 − ( n π d ) where n =1, 2,3, K
2
[V-4]

which is the dispersion relationship for TE waves in a parallel plate

waveguide with "cutoff" frequencies at

= (n π d) ( µ 0 ε1 )
−1
ω cutoff
n where n = 1, 2, 3,K [V-5]

Again combining Equations [III-1c] and [III-2c], the electric field strength of the TM wave
in the region between the plates may be written
r
E|| = zˆ (η1 cosθ inc ) {H||inc exp( j x k1 cosθ inc ) − H||ref exp( − j x k1 cosθ inc )} exp( − j z k1 sinθinc )
[V-6]
+ xˆ ( η1 sinθ inc ) {H inc
|| exp ( j x k1 cosθinc ) + H||
ref
exp(− j x k1 cosθ inc )} exp( −j z k1 sinθ inc )

At x = 0 the field parallel to the surface of a perfect conductor must be zero so that
H||ref = H inc
|| and, therefore,

R. Victor Jones, October 23, 2002

PLANE WAVE SOLUTIONS OF MAXWELL' S EQUATIONS PAGE 16

r
E|| = zˆ 2 j H ||inc (η1 cosθinc ) sin( x k1 cosθinc ) exp( − j z β )
[V-5]
|| (η1 sinθ inc ) cos( x k1 cosθ inc) exp( −j z β )
+ xˆ 2 Hinc

where β = k1 sinθinc . At the upper surface -- i.e. x = d -- again the field parallel to the
surface of a perfect conductor must also be zero so that

d k1 cosθ inc = n π where n = 0,1, 2, 3,K [V-7]

and, therefore,

βTM n = k1 sinθ inc = k12 − k12 cos 2 θ inc = k12 − ( n π d ) where n = 0,1,2,3, K
2
[V-8]

which is the dispersion relationship for TM waves in a parallel plate

waveguide.

Note that the TM 0 mode is a bona fide mode of propagation which does not
have a "cutoff" frequency!
R. Victor Jones, October 23, 2002
PLANE WAVE SOLUTIONS OF MAXWELL' S EQUATIONS PAGE 17

VI. DIELECTRIC SLAB WAVEGUIDE:

Consider the propagation of waves "trap in" or "guided by" a dielectric slab of thickness d.

In its full generality this is moderately complicated problem, but a rather simple ray optics
model of the propagation is sufficient to yield dispersion relationships for the various
possible modes of propagation. To obtain such relationships, consider the total internal
reflection of a sequence of plane waves as illustrated below.

θ inc
^
k

^
x d

^
z

R. Victor Jones, October 23, 2002

PLANE WAVE SOLUTIONS OF MAXWELL' S EQUATIONS PAGE 18

In order for the multiple reflected wave to be self-consistence the following, relatively
obvious, phase condition must hold:4

∆φx =d +∆ φ x =0 + 2 k1 d cosθ inc = m 2π where m = 0,1,2, 3,K [VI-1]

where ∆φx =d and ∆φx =0 are, respectively, the phase shifts associated with the reflections at
the upper and lower dielectric boundaries.

For TE-modes of propagation Equation [III-14a] gives the phase shift at the boundary
(called in the trade the TE Goos-Hänchen shift) and Equation [VI-1] becomes

 sin 2 θ − sin 2 θ crit 

−2 tan   + k1 d cosθinc = m π
−1 inc inc
[VI-2]
 cosθ inc 

≡ k2 k1 = n2 n1 = ε 2 ε1 . Therefore, the self-consistence relationship

crit
where sinθinc
for TE is given by

sin 2 θ inc − sin2 θinc

crit
 n k d cosθ inc π
= tan  1 0 −m  [VI-3]
cosθ inc  2 2

where k 0 = ω c = 2π λ0 . This is a transcendental equation in the single variable cosθinc .

Its solutions yield the allowed bounce angles, (θ inc )m , of possible modes and, hence, the
allowed propagation constants since β = k1 sinθinc The left and right sides of this equation
may be plot as a function of cosθinc with n1 k0 d = n1 2 π (d λ0 ) and sinθinc = n2 n1 as a
crit

parameters. The intersections of such curves yield the allowed bounce angles as illustrated
below

4 This equation is a direct generalization of Equations [V-3] and [V-7] which figure in our analysis of parallel
plane waveguides.
R. Victor Jones, October 23, 2002
PLANE WAVE SOLUTIONS OF MAXWELL' S EQUATIONS PAGE 19

LHS and RHS of Equation [VI-3] LHS and RHS of Equation [VI-3]
for n1 (d λ 0 ) = 0.5 and cosθinc = 0.5 for n1 (d λ 0 ) = 1.0 and cosθinc = 0.5
crit crit

LHS and RHS of Equation [VI-3] LHS and RHS of Equation [VI-3]
for n1 (d λ 0 ) = 1.5 and cosθinc = 0.5 for n1 (d λ 0 ) = 2.0 and cosθinc = 0.5
crit crit

R. Victor Jones, October 23, 2002