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Preface to Special Issue on the Mode Theory of Wave Propagation
Author(s) -
Wait James R.
Publication year - 1966
Publication title -
radio science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1944-799X
pISSN - 0048-6604
DOI - 10.1002/rds196616i
Subject(s) - mode (computer interface) , context (archaeology) , representation (politics) , modal , wave propagation , field (mathematics) , boundary value problem , electromagnetic field , waveguide , transverse plane , physics , computer science , acoustics , mathematical analysis , mathematics , optics , quantum mechanics , engineering , geology , pure mathematics , paleontology , chemistry , structural engineering , politics , political science , polymer chemistry , law , operating system
The representation of the electromagnetic field as a sum of modes is very useful when dealing with propagation in stratified media. The term “mode of propagation” in this context refers to. a transverse field configuration which satisfies the required boundary conditions and does not vary along a coordinate which is normally parallel to the direction of propagation. A good example is the mode which may propagate in a metallic waveguide. In this case, the total fieid may be represented as a sum of such modes. This issue of Radio Science contains a number of papers dealing with modal representations. While the emphasis is on electromagnetic fields, a number of examples of acoustic waveguides are also included. The August issue of the journal will contain additional mode theory papers.