Light Propagation in Linear Optical Media

9 Vector Diffraction across a Curved Interface

In this chapter we present mathematical models and calculations for the vector electromagnetic fields for points beyond a spherical boundary between two different linear optical media using vector diffraction theory. The assumptions of the models presented are:

• each of the two media are linear; i.e., the electric permittivity, e, and magnetic permeability, μ, are both constants;
• the spherical boundary between the media is azimuthally symmetric, and spatially limited by a maximum polar angle;

Due to the fact that the interface is spatially limited, diffraction effects play a crucial role in the propagation. Thus, vector diffraction theories are utilized. We split this chapter up into two cases where ...