Chiral Layers on Planar Surfaces

Abstract

Here the reflection from chiral coated planar surfaces is investigated. This canonical problem is formulated in terms of the Riccati equation for local reflection to provide an understanding of the fundamental physical processes involved with reflection and absorption by chiral layers. The link between chiral and achiral formulations is noted. We also derive jump conditions for thin chiral layers, introduce appropriate transmission-line models, and indicate methods for treating an arbitrary number of layers and surface impedances. A number of examples involving chiral coatings are examined and compared to their achiral counterparts for electric and magnetic screens. Through front surface matching and increased absorption, specified chiral coatings can offer enhanced broadband reduction of backscatter over their conventional achiral counterparts.