EE2025 Engineering Electromagnetics: July-Nov 2023

Tutorial 7: Reflection and refraction at dielectric interface, Normal incidence on a layered medium
1. The electric field of uniform plane in air is given by

Ei = 100 cos (2π f t − 3x − 4z)ŷ [V/m],

is incident on a dielectric slab (z ≥ 0) with µr = 1, ϵr = 3 and σ = 0, at an angle θi .

(i) Sketch the dielectric interface with corresponding orientations of electric field and magnetic
fields for incident (Ei , Hi ), reflected (Er , Hr ) and transmitted wave (Et , Ht ) and find the polariza-
tion of the wave.
(ii) Calculate the frequency f , angle of incidence (θi ), reflection (θr ) and transmission (θt ).

Solution: (i)

Here the electric field is oriented along ŷ direction, which is perpendicular to the plane of in-
cidence (xz−plane). Therefore the wave is perpendicularly polarized (sometimes also called
as TE polarization)
(ii) From the electric field expression the wave vector of the incident wave can be expressed
as,
√
ki = 3x̂ + 4ẑ ⇒ β 1 = |ki | = ω µϵ
√ β1
β 1 = |ki | = ω µϵ = ω = √ = β1 c
µ 0 ϵ0
p
ω= 32 + 42 × 3 × 108 = 15 × 108 [rad/s] ⇒ f ≈ 238.7 MHz
From the figure, the wavevector can be written as

ki = k ix x̂ + k iz ẑ = β 1 sin θi x̂ + β 1 cos θi ẑ

Therfore,

β 1 sin θi = 3 ; β 1 cos θi = 4 ⇒ tan θi = 3/4 ⇒ θi = 0.643 [rad] = 36.84o

 From the law of reflection, θr = θi = 36.84o
From the law of refraction (Snell’s law) for a pure dielectric media

√ √
r 
−1 ϵr1
ϵr1 sin θi = ϵr2 sin θt ⇒ θt = sin sin θi
ϵr2
r !
1
θt = sin−1 sin θi = 0.353 [rad] = 20.22o
3

2. For the question 2, find the reflected electric field (Er ) and transmitted magnetic field (Ht )

Solution: The reflection and the transmission coefficients for perpendicular polarization are

η2 cos θi − η1 cos θt 2η2 cos θi

Γ⊥ = ; τ⊥ = .
η2 cos θi + η1 cos θt η2 cos θi + η1 cos θt

The intrinsic impedance of the media are

r r r
µ1 µ0 µ2 377
η1 = = ≈ 377 Ω ; η2 = = √ ≈ 217.6 Ω
ϵ1 ϵ0 ϵ2 3

Γ⊥ = −0.34 ; τ⊥ = 0.66
The reflected electric field can be written as

Er = E0r cos (2π f t − kr .r) = Γ⊥ E0i cos (2π f t − kr .r)

kr = β 1 sin θr x̂ − β 1 cos θr ẑ = 3x̂ − 4ẑ

Er = −34 cos (15 × 108 t − 3x + 4z)ŷ [V/m]

The transmitted electric field can be written as

Et = E0t cos (2π f t − kt .r) = τ⊥ E0i cos (2π f t − kt .r)

√
kt = β 2 sin θt x̂ + β 2 cos θt ẑ ; β 2 = ω µ2 ϵ2 = 8.66 [rad/m]
ktx = β 2 sin θt = 3 ; ktz = β 2 cos θt = 8.124 ⇒ kt = 3x̂ + 8.124ẑ
Et = 66 cos (15 × 108 t − 3x − 8.124z)ŷ [V/m]
For transmitted magnetic field

x̂ ŷ ẑ
1 1 1

Ht = (kt × Et ) = 3 0 8.124 = −8.124Ety x̂ + 3Ety ẑ
ωµ 600π 600π
0 Ety 0

Ht = (−0.28x̂ + 0.105ẑ) cos (15 × 108 t − 3x − 8.124z)ŷ [A/m]

3. A plane wave in region 1 is normally incident on the planar boundary separating lossless regions
1 and 2. If their relative permittivities and permeabilities are related as ϵ1 = µ31 and ϵ2 = µ32 , find
the ratio ϵ2 /ϵ1 such that 10% of the amplitude in the incident wave is reflected at the boundary.
[Note: The above relation between ϵ and µ doesn’t represent any real material.]

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 Solution: Given, 10% of the amplitude in the incident wave is reflected.
=⇒ Reflection coefficient, Γ = ±0.1 = ±0.1.

η2 − η1
Γ = ± 0.316 =
η2 + η1
p p
η0 µ2 /ϵ2 − η0 µ1 /ϵ1
= p p
η0 µ2 /ϵ2 + η0 µ1 /ϵ1
q q
µ2 /µ32 − µ1 /µ31
=q q
µ2 /µ32 + µ1 /µ31

µ1 − µ2
Further simplifying, we get ±0.316 = µ1 + µ2 , which gives µ2 /µ1 = 0.81 or 1.2.
Finally, ϵ2 /ϵ1 = (µ2 /µ1 )3 = 0.531 or 1.728.

4. Consider a plane wave incident on to an interface which separates medium 1 (µ1 , ϵ1 , σ1 = 0) and
medium 2 (µ2 , ϵ2 , σ2 = 0), such that the wavevector ki makes an angle θi with the normal of the
interface. Consider f = 1 GHz, µr1 = 1, µr2 = 2 and ϵr1 = 2.25, ϵr2 = 1. If the coordinate system
is aligned such that the media interface is in the xy−plane
(i) sketch the media interface and label the coordinate axis, interface normal, incident, reflected
and transmitted wave.
(ii) If the angle of incidence θi = π/3, calculate the wave vector corresponding to incident, re-
flected and transmitted wave.
(iii) If the relative permeability of the second medium is taken as unity, calculate the incident
angle θi for which the transmitted angle is θt = π/2. Repeat the same for the condition ϵr1 = 1,
ϵr2 = 2.25 and compare the results

Solution: (i)

(ii) The wavevector for incident wave is given by

ki = β 1 cos ϕxi x̂ + β 1 cos ϕyi ŷ + β 1 cos ϕzi ẑ,

where ϕxi , ϕyi , ϕzi are the angle between the wavevector and x, y, z axis respectively.

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Here ϕxi = π
2 − θi , ϕyi = π2 , ϕzi = θi , therefore

ki = β 1 sin θi x̂ + β 1 cos θi ẑ
√ p
β 1 = ω µ1 ϵ1 = 2π × 109 × 4π × 10−7 × 8.85 × 10−12 × 2.25 = 31.43 [rad/m]
For θi = π/3,
ki = 27.22x̂ + 15.71ẑ [rad/m]
Similarly for reflected wave,

kr = β 1 cos ϕxr x̂ + β 1 cos ϕyr ŷ − β 1 cos ϕzr ẑ,

Since the z component of the reflected wave is directed towards −z axis, this is indicated with
the negative sign to the ẑ component of wavevector.
π π
ϕxr = − θr , ϕyr = , ϕzr = θr
2 2
kr = β 1 sin θr x̂ − β 1 cos θr ẑ

From the law of reflection, θi = θr , therefore

kr = 27.22x̂ − 15.71ẑ [rad/m]

For transmitted wave,

kt = β 2 cos ϕxt x̂ + β 2 cos ϕyt ŷ + β 2 cos ϕzt ẑ,

π π
ϕxt = − θt , ϕyt = , ϕzt = θt
2 2
Therefore,
kt = β 2 sin θt x̂ + β 2 cos θt ẑ
√ p
β 2 = ω µ2 ϵ2 = 2π × 109 × 4π × 10−7 × 2 × 8.85 × 10−12 = 29.64 [rad/m]
Since µr2 ̸= 1, to calculate the refraction angle we have to consider
 
−1 β 1 sin θi
β 1 sin θi = β 2 sin θt ⇒ θt = sin = 1.16 [rad] = 66.46o
β2
kt = 27.17x̂ + 11.84ẑ [rad/m]

(iii) For µr1 = µr2 = 1, the Snell’s law gets modified as

√ √
ϵr1 sin θi = ϵr2 sin θt

For θt = π/2, we get

r  r !
−1 ϵr2 −1 1
θi = sin = sin = 0.73 [rad] = 41.82o
ϵr1 2.25

Now if we consider µr1 = µr2 = 1 and ϵr1 = 1, ϵr2 = 2.25, we get the condition
r  r !
ϵr2 2.25
sin θi = = > 1.
ϵr1 1

Therefore, there is no possible angle at which a plane wave can be incident to achieve θt =
π/2.

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5. A parallel-polarized wave in air with E(t) = (6ŷ − 8ẑ) sin(ωt − 4y − 3z) V/m impinges a dielec-
tric half-space (ϵ = 4ϵ0 , µ = µ0 ) as shown in the figure. Find
(a) Incidence angle θi .
(b) Time average power in air (ϵ0 = 8.85 × 10−12 F/m, µ0 = 4π × 10−7 H/m).
(c) The reflected and transmitted electric fields (Er , Et ).

Solution:
(a)

ki = 4ŷ + 3ẑ
|ki | cos(θi ) = 3
p
| k i | = 42 + 32 = 5
Incidence angle:
 
−1 3
θi = cos
5
◦
= 53.13

(b) Time-averaged power = 12 Re( E × H ∗ )

| Eio |2
= k̂
2η
(82 + 62 ) 1
= (4ŷ + 3ẑ)
2 × 120π 5
= 0.106ŷ + 0.079ẑ

(c) Using Snell’s law at boundary µ1 = µ2 = µ0 , ϵ1 = ϵ0 , and ϵ2 = 4ϵ0 :

Angle of Transmission:
√ √
µ1 ϵ1 sin θi = µ2 ϵ2 sin θt
sin θt = 0.4, θt = 23.58◦

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 Angle of Reflection:
θr = θi = 53.13◦

Reflection coefficient:
η2 cos θt − η1 cos θi
Γ|| =
η2 cos θt + η1 cos θi
η1 = 120πΩ, η2 = 60πΩ
60π cos(23.58◦ ) − 120π cos(53.13◦ )
Γ|| = = −0.13
60π cos(23.58◦ ) + 120π cos(53.13◦ )

Reflection propagation constant:

kr = −|kr | cos θr ŷ + |kr | sin θr ẑ

|kr | = |ki | = 5
kr = 4ŷ − 3ẑ

Reflected electric field:

Er = −0.13(6ŷ + 8ẑ) sin(ωt + 4y − 3z) V/m

Transmission coefficient:
2η2 cos θi
τ|| =
η2 cos θt + η1 cos θi
120π cos(53.13◦ )
τ|| = = 0.57
60π cos(23.58◦ ) + 120π cos(53.13◦ )

Transmission propagation constant:

kt = |kt | cos θt ŷ + |kt | sin θt ẑ

 
4
|kt | sin θt = |ki | sin θi = 5
5
 
4 4
|kt | = 5
10 5
|kt | = 10
kt = 9.16ŷ + 4ẑ

Transmitted Electric field:

Et = 0.57(6ŷ − 8ẑ) sin(ωt − 9.16y − 4z) V/m.

6. A 5 GHz uniform plane wave with Ei = 20 exp (− jβz) ax ˆ [V/m], propagating in free space is
incident normally on a large, plane, lossless dielectric slab having µ = µo , ϵ = 4ϵo .
Find the following :

(a). The percentage of the power density that is reflected from the interface
(b). Er and Et when the dielectric slab is replaced with a perfectly conducting slab

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 Solution:

(a). The percentage of power density reflected = |ρ|2 × 100% = 11.11%

(b).
 
10
Er = e jβz â x = −10e jβz â x V/m
−1
Et = 0 V/m

7. A plane wave in free space with electric field E = 3.6 cos(ωt − 5x )ay V/m is incident normally
on an interface at x = 0. If a lossless medium with σ = 0, ϵr = 12.5 exists for x ≥ 0, and the
reflected wave has magnetic field Hr = 1.2 cos(ωt + 5x )az mA/m, find the permeability of the
second medium µ2 .

Solution:
r
µ2 | Er0 |
η1 = η0 = 120π, η2 = , η0 =
ϵ2 | Hr0 |
⇒ Er0 = η0 Hr0 (1)
Er0 η2 − η0
ρ= =
Ei0 η2 + η0
η2 − η0
⇒ Er0 = Ei0 (2)
η2 + η0

Equating equations (1) and (2):

η2 − η0
η0 Hr0 = Ei0
η2 + η0

Solving for a:

( η2 − η0 ) 1.2 × 10−3 η0
= =a ⇒ η2 − η0 = a ( η2 + η0 )
( η2 + η0 ) 3.6

⇒ η2 ( 1 − a ) = η0 ( 1 + a )

1+a
⇒ η2 = η0 = 485.37 Ω
1−a

µ2 = η22 ϵ2 = 2.607 × 10−5 H/m = 26.07 µH/m

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8. Light from a red LED (free space wavelength = 650 nm) is incident normally on an optical sensor
embedded in a 2 mm thick glass slab with relative permeability of 3/8 and dielectric constant of
8.
a. What color of light in glass would the sensor detect?
b. What % of incident power is reflected at the glass interface?
c. To eliminate reflections, the glass is coated with a material of dielectric constant of 2, and
thickness of 400 nm. Do you think this coating would act as an anti-reflection coating?
If yes, justify your answer. If not, suggest an alternative coating (thickness and relative
permittivity) to replace this coating.
d. If the red LED is replaced by a green LED (525 nm) in the above question, quantify the
reflection coefficient.

Solution:
1. Sensor detects the optical frequency, and the frequency would be the same irrespective of
the medium. Hence the color would be RED itself.
2. Reflection coefficient
η2 − η1
ρ=
η2 + η1

Where: r r √
µr 3 1 η0 3
η1 = η0 and η2 = η0 = η0 · =
ϵr 8 8 8

Substituting the values, we get:

√ √
η0 3
8√ − η0 3−8
ρ= =√ ≈ −0.644
η0 3 3+8
8 + η0

The percentage of power reflected is:

% of power reflected = |ρ|2 × 100% ≈ 41.48%

3. Let free space be medium 1, the coating be medium 2, and glass be medium 3.
To eliminate reflections:
√
(a) η2 = η1 η3
(b) The thickness of the coating should be an odd multiple of λ42 .
λ0 650
√nm
For ϵr = 2, λ2 = √
ϵr
= 2
≈ 459.62 nm.
λ2
4 ≈ 114.90 nm.
400 nm is not an odd multiple of 114.90 nm, so this coating will not act as an anti-reflection
coating.
Design of desired Anti-Reflection Coating (ARC):
r q√
√
q
3 3
We need η2 = η1 η3 = η0 η0 8 = η0 8 (1)
η
Also, η2 = √0 (2)
ϵr
Comparing Eqn. 1 and 2:
q√
3 η
√0
η0 8 = ϵr

⇒ ϵr = √8 ≈ 4.619
3

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 λ0 650
√ nm λ2
λ2 = √
ϵr
= 4.619
≈ 302.44 nm and 4 ≈ 75.61 nm.
Thus, a coating material with a relative permittivity of 4.619 and a thickness of 75.61 nm can
be used as an Anti-Reflection Coating.
4. If the red LED is replaced by a green LED (525 nm) in the above question,
η −η
the reflection coefficient ρ is: ρ = ηinin +η11 ,
where

η3 + jη2 tan( β 2 l )
ηin = η2
η2 + jη3 tan( β 2 l )
√
2π ϵr
η3 + jη2 tan( λ0 · 75.61 × 10−9 )
ηin = η2 √
2π ϵr
(3)
η2 + jη3 tan( λ0 · 75.61 × 10−9 )
√
η0 η0 3
With λ0 changed to 525 nm, and given η1 = η0 , η2 = √ , and η3 = 8 ,
4.619
we can calculate ηin using Eqn. (3):

  q    √ 
√ 1 3 √ 1 2π 4.619
4.619
+j8 tan
4.619
× 75.61 525
ηin = η0   q  √ 
√ 1 + j 38 tan 2π 525
4.619
× 75.61
4.619

0.1 − j0.552
ηin = η0 ≈ (0.674 − 0.387j)η0
0.465 − j0.552

Therefore,

(0.674 − 0.387j) − 1
ρ= = −0.134 − 0.262j = 0.295∠ − 117.09◦
(0.674 − 0.387j) + 1

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 9. A uniform plane wave is incident from air onto glass at an angle of 30° from the normal. The
glass has a refractive index n2 = 1.45.
Determine the fraction of the incident power that is reflected and transmitted for
(a) parallel polarization and
(b) perpendicular polarization.

Solution: First, we apply Snell’s law to find the transmission angle using n = 1 and θi = 30◦
for air to get,  ◦
−1 sin 30
θt = sin = 20.2◦
1.45
η1 = ηair = 377 Ω η2 = ηglass = 377
1.45 = 260 Ω
Now, for parallel polarization, using the formula for the reflection coefficient:

η2 cos(20.2◦ ) − η1 cos(30◦ )
Γ∥ = = −0.144
η2 cos(20.2◦ ) + η1 cos(30◦ )

Therefore, the fraction of incident power which is reflected is:

|Γ∥ |2 = 0.021

The fraction of power transmitted:

1 − |Γ∥ |2 = 0.979

Similarly, for perpendicular polarization, we have

η2 cos(30◦ ) − η1 cos(20.2◦ )
Γ⊥ = = −0.222
η2 cos(30◦ ) + η1 cos(20.2◦ )

The reflected power fraction is thus

|Γ⊥ |2 = 0.049

Thus, the fraction of the power that is transmitted is

1 − |Γ⊥ |2 = 0.951

10. A right circularly polarised plane wave in air is incident on a semi infinite slab of plexi glass
(ϵr = 3.45). Determine the angle of incident such that all the parallel polarised are transmitted.
Given transmitted angle (θt) is 28.3 ◦ . Can you infer any relation between the angle of incidence
and transmission here?

Solution: Given all the parallel polarised component is transmitted

2η2 cos θi
Γ|| = 0 →τ|| = η1 cos θi +η2 cos θt =1
θi = 61.7o

We can see that the sum of incident angle and transmitted angle is 90◦ .

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