Characteristic matrix method for stratified anisotropic media: optical properties of special configurations

Abstract

Berreman’s 4 × 4 matrix method is used to study the optical properties of special configurations. Under certain conditions the expression for the characteristic matrix of a homogeneous anisotropic slab can be greatly simplified. If these conditions are also fulfilled for each slab of a multilayered system, relations between the transmission and the reflection coefficients can be derived.