ABSTRACT

This chapter discusses the reflection, refraction, and diffraction of plane waves. It begins with the description of some basic terms, boundary conditions and their implications, the wave and phase velocities, and perpendicular and parallel polarizations. It discusses the reflection from perfect conductor for various cases including the normal incidence and oblique incidences for the perpendicular and parallel polarizations. It describes reflection and refraction from perfect dielectrics for normal incidence and perpendicular and parallel cases of oblique incidences and explains Brewster’s angle and the conditions for total internal reflection. Reflection from the imperfect materials and refraction from the ionized material are also discussed. Lastly it describes the diffraction of electromagnetic waves.