Undergrad Boundary conditions for TM and TE waves

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the boundary conditions for Transverse Magnetic (TM) and Transverse Electric (TE) waves, particularly focusing on the derivation of the Fresnel equations for reflection and refraction of monochromatic electromagnetic waves. Key equations involve the relationship between electric field (E) and magnetic field (B) through the equation ##\vec{B}=\frac{1}{c_j} \vec{n} \times \vec{E}##, where ##c_j## is the phase velocity of light in medium j. The participants express confusion regarding the mathematical derivation of these equations, particularly the continuity conditions for E and H fields at the interface between two media.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Maxwell's equations in electrodynamics
  • Familiarity with the concepts of electromagnetic wave propagation
  • Knowledge of boundary conditions in wave physics
  • Basic understanding of the Fresnel equations for reflection and refraction
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the Fresnel equations in detail
  • Explore the continuity conditions for electric (E) and magnetic (H) fields at boundaries
  • Learn about the phase velocity of light in different media and its implications
  • Review advanced textbooks on electrodynamics and optics for deeper insights
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Students and professionals in physics, particularly those specializing in optics and electromagnetism, as well as engineers working with wave propagation in various media.

LCSphysicist
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TL;DR
I am reading about transverse polarization of magnetic and electric field, but i can not understand the boundary conditions it was imposed by the author
1607173824833.png

Theta in the incident angle
Phi is the refraction angle
'' denotes everything that propagates to the other medium, that is, everything related to refraction
' denotes the reflection in the original medium

I am rather confused, would appreciate any help.
I see the second equation of TE is basically the same as the third equation of it.
Too, i see that the first equation of TM is equal to the second equation of it.
 
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If this is the standard derivation of the Fresnel formulae for reflection and refraction of a monochromatic em. wave then indeed you only need to deal with the magnetic field, because the magnetic field is given by the electric through ##\vec{B}=\frac{1}{c_j} \vec{n} \times \vec{E}##, where ##c_j## (##j \in \{1,2\}##) is the phase velocity of light ##c_j=c/n_j## in medium ##j## and ##\vec{n}## the direction of the wave vector of the corresponding plane waves describing the incoming, reflected, and refracted wave respectively.
 
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vanhees71 said:
If this is the standard derivation of the Fresnel formulae for reflection and refraction of a monochromatic em. wave then indeed you only need to deal with the magnetic field, because the magnetic field is given by the electric through ##\vec{B}=\frac{1}{c_j} \vec{n} \times \vec{E}##, where ##c_j## (##j \in \{1,2\}##) is the phase velocity of light ##c_j=c/n_j## in medium ##j## and ##\vec{n}## the direction of the wave vector of the corresponding plane waves describing the incoming, reflected, and refracted wave respectively.
Hello. Thx for the reply. I understand your point, what i don't understand is how to get this equations. That is, what is the math behind it?

If it was give to me, i would probably say that E and H need to be continuous in the separation(1) with the derivative being continuous too(2).

(1) for E agree with the image, but what about B? Why the minus sign there? (H-H' = H'')
(2)It would lead us, for example for TE, (-Ek + E'k' = E''k''), but in the image there is a cos with this equation, why?
 
The math behind it are of course Maxwell's equations for all fields having time dependence ##\exp(-\mathrm{i} \omega t)##. You find the derivation in any good textbook on electrodynamics and/or optics.
 
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