Reflection and Refraction of electromagnetic waves at plane interface between dielectrics.

Hello Students! in this lecture we will find reflection and refraction of electromagnetic waves at a plane interface between dielectric (Non conductors). This problem has two cases one in which the electromagnetic wave is travelling normal to the plane of incident of the mediums and second is in which the electromagnetic wave make an oblique angle with the interface. In this post we will see the first case and the second case will be discussed later. Now lets start our topic.

           Consider two media separated by an interface.

Fig: 1

       As shown in the fig:1 the left side of the x-axis is for medium 1 and the right side of the medium two. The plane of interface of both medium is in x-y plane.The incident wave is shown by Ei, reflected wave is shown by Er and the transmitted wave is shown by Et. The intrinsic parameters of both mediums are also written on the left and right side of the x-axis. Now Ei, Er and Et are the solutions of plane electromagnetic wave equation in non conductive medium. We have seen these solutions in our another post named solution of plane wave equation for electromagnetic wave of non conductiog medium.

Fig: 2.

               Now we will apply the condition of continuity at the boundary of at the plane of interface of the medium. Rest of the derivation is done in the pictures.

Click here to download video notes.