MATRIX APPROACH TO THE STUDY OF WAVE-PROPAGATION

Wave propagation in piecewise continuous stratified non absorbing media is discussed. The general solution of the amplitude equation is expressed as a linear combination of two independent complex conjugate solutions. The transmission matrix relating the amplitudes at two points belongs to the group QU(2), in accord with energy conservation. An upper bound for the reflectance is calculated. In the high frequency limit, the reflection coefficient r corresponding to a discontinuity of the derivative of the refractive index is found to be inversely proportional to the frequency. The eigenfrequencies of the field are shown to be completely determined by the reflection and transmission coefficients of the medium.