NORMAL-INCIDENCE REFLECTION AND TRANSMISSION BY UNIAXIAL CRYSTALS AND CRYSTAL PLATES

A 2 x 2 matrix method is developed and used to calculate the reflection and transmission amplitudes for normal-incidence reflection and transmission by uniaxial crystals and crystal slabs. The reflection is characterized by two reflection amplitudes (r and r') which give the amplitudes of the reflected field components along and perpendicular to the incident polarization direction. The reflection results take the form r = r(o) cos(2)phi + r(c) sin(2)phi, r' = (r(o) - r(e)) cos phi sin phi, where phi is the angle between the incident polarization and the ordinary electric field vector in the crystal, and r(n) and r(e) are the reflection amplitudes of isotropic crystals or crystal plates, with appropriate refractive indices. Similar results are obtained for the transmission amplitudes.