Electromagnetic wave propagation through inhomogeneous material layers

Abstract

We use Maxwell's equations in a sourceless, inhomogeneous medium with continuous permeability $\mu (\mathbf{r}) $ and permittivity $% \epsilon (\mathbf{r}) $ to study the wave propagation. The general form of the wave equation is derived and by virtue of some physical assumptions, including $\mu $ and $\epsilon $ as functions of $z,$ the equation has been simplified. Finally by introducing a smooth step dielectric variable we solve the wave equation in the corresponding medium which is in conform with the well known results. Exact double-layer solution in analytic form has been given in terms of the Heun functions.