Permittivity Gradient Induced Depolarization: Electromagnetic Propagation With the Maxwell Vector Wave Equation

Recent interest in 3-D vectorial sensors requires the development of propagation methods, rather than scalar wave equation approaches. We derive a vector from Maxwell's equations for medium which has an inhomogeneous dielectric permittivity dominated by variation along one dimension. It is well known that electric field components decouple homogeneous media. However, 1-D variations yield upper triangular system with polarization component parallel to direction/axis acting as forcing term orthogonal components. The main implication waves oriented gradient will act and excite other and, thus, induce depolarization. Contemporary studies treat constant when deriving or paraxial approximation, then re-introduce via speed, variable permittivity, thus missing important terms physical mechanisms their resulting equations. neglect Maxwell responsible this effect. Application electromagnetic depolarization effect demonstrated numerically air-sea interface evaporation duct 500 MHz source.