Computed fields near the edge of a dielectric wedge

Abstract

The behavior of the electromagnetic field near the edge of an infinite sharp dielectric wedge has not been unequivocally established in the theory. A numerical experiment is performed to learn more about this behaviour. The fields scattered by a finite wedge are determined by solving an integral equation for a function defined on the boundary. The fields near the edge of the wedge are computed from this function by integration. The accepted theory of the fields near the edge of the dielectric wedge is based on a power series expansion that does not exist. The conclusion from this numerical experiment is that only the radial fields along the bisector of the wedge in the transverse magnetic mode follow the expected power law. The corresponding problem for the perfectly conducting wedge is well understood and is used to verify the numerical methods.