What is inhomogeneous media? (Electromagnetic Waves)

[dttb]

I see this term a lot. What is the different between homogeneous and inhomogenous? What properties are different?

Thanks

 

[bhillyard]

For an homogenous medium all properties are the same at any point (or at least the properties in which you are interested - you have to be certain that any properties that differ have no effect on what you are considering)

 

[ehild]

In connection with electromagnetic waves in the optical domain, it is the refractive index which changes with place in an inhomogeneous medium.

ehild