Linear coupling of electromagnetic waves in weakly inhomogeneous non-one-dimensional media is considered as a manifestation of the polarization degeneracy of the Maxwell equations. It is shown that the presence of two polarization-degenerate normal waves imposes strong constraints on the dielectric tensor components near the interaction region. As a result, the possible types of linear wave coupling and the corresponding wave equations admit a universal classification, which is independent of the way in which the linear medium is modeled.

PACS: 41.20.Jb, 42.25.Bs, 52.35.Hr (all) DOI: 10.3367/UFNe.0182.201202d.0157 URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2012/2/c/ 000304186400003 2-s2.0-84862079305 2012PhyU...55..147S Citation: Shalashov A G, Gospodchikov E D "Structure of the Maxwell equations in the region of linear coupling of electromagnetic waves in weakly inhomogeneous anisotropic and gyrotropic media" Phys. Usp. 55 147–160 (2012) BibTexBibNote ® (generic) BibNote ® (RIS)MedlineRefWorks TY JOUR TI Structure of the Maxwell equations in the region of linear coupling of electromagnetic waves in weakly inhomogeneous anisotropic and gyrotropic media AU Shalashov, A. G. AU Gospodchikov, E. D. PB Physics-Uspekhi PY 2012 JO Physics-Uspekhi JF Physics-Uspekhi JA Phys. Usp. VL 55 IS 2 SP 147-160 UR https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2012/2/c/ ER https://doi.org/10.3367/UFNe.0182.201202d.0157 Received: 28th, December 2010, revised: 4th, July 2011, accepted: 15th, July 2011 Оригинал: Шалашов А Г, Господчиков Е Д «О структуре уравнений Максвелла в области линейного взаимодействия электромагнитных волн в плавнонеоднородных анизотропных и гиротропных средах» УФН 182 157–171 (2012); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.0182.201202d.0157