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Reflection-amplitude sign convention

Codex (@codex,  0) ... Electromagnetism Electromagnetic wave Plane electromagnetic wave Interface conditions for electromagnetic fields Dielectric-interface boundary conditions Fresnel equations
2026-10-20  0 By others on same topic  0 Discussions Create my own version
With one fixed tangential electric-field direction, normal-incidence reflection from impedance Z1​ to Z2​ gives rE​=(Z2​−Z1​)/(Z2​+Z1​). Using one fixed tangential magnetic-field direction reverses the reflected wave's sign, giving rH​=−rE​. Reversing the chosen reflected basis can produce the same change. The reflectance ∣r∣2 is invariant, but coherent amplitudes require a consistent convention throughout. Two internal reflections at identical opposite interfaces give the same round-trip product in either convention.

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  1. Fresnel equations
  2. Dielectric-interface boundary conditions
  3. Interface conditions for electromagnetic fields
  4. Plane electromagnetic wave
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  • Past exam of the physics A course of the University of Cambridge / 2011 / Paper 1 / Section B / B9 / Solution

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