The impedance boundary-value problem of diffraction by a strip

We consider the impedance boundary-value problem for the Helmholtz equation originated by the problem of wave diffraction by an infinite strip with imperfect conductivity. The two possible different situations of real and complex wave numbers are considered. Bessel potential spaces are used to deal with the problem, and the identification of corresponding operators of single and double layer potentials allow a reformulation of the problem into a system of integral equations. The well-posedness of the problem is obtained for a set of impedance parameters (and wave numbers), after the incorporation of some compatibility conditions on the data. At the end, an improvement of the regularity of the solution is derived for the same set of parameters previously considered. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.