Modified Propagation Constants for Nonuniform Plane Wave Transmission through Conducting Media

A geometrical optics model for propagation in conducting media requires the determination of the propagation constants for the field transmitted through a plane boundary. In general, the transmitted fiJeld produced by a nonuniform plane wave incident upon a plane boundary between two conducting media propagates with constants which are different from the intrinsic constants of the medium. The expressions for these constants are derived, and data are presented to illustrate when these modified propagation constants must be used to yield valid results.