2 Electromagnetic Waves in Linear Media

In this chapter we present mathematical models describing the vector electric and magnetic fields for light propagating within a linear medium. Mathematical models presented cover:

  1. General forms for Maxwell's equations and the wave equation
  2. Maxwell's Equations for source- free media
  3. Maxwell's equations for vacuum
  4. Polarized light fields

We then present and explain a few of the common forms of light that are solutions to these equations.

To simplify the mathematics for this chapter, we place the following restrictions on the propagation of the light through the medium:

  • the volume through which the light is propagating is composed of only a single medium
  • the medium’s electric permittivity, ∈, and magnetic ...

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