ABSTRACT
The transfer matrix method (TMM) is a standard tool to study the
linear optical properties of multilayered structures. Similar to the
finite-element methods, it presents an efficient numerical technique
for the integration of Maxwell’s equations but provides only a little
physical understanding in what is standing behind the properties
that can be computed. This is especially true for structures with
aperiodic arrangements of the layers, which demonstrate a complex
shape of the transmission spectrum. Moreover, the TMM is not
suitable for describing the nonlinear behavior of multilayers,
even if the nonlinearities are treated as small perturbations. This
emphasizes the need of new theoretical frameworks that are able
to overcome the above problems, which we develop in this chapter.
