Reflection-Refraction of a Stress Wave at a Plane Boundary between Anisotropic Media

Abstract

A review is given of the pertinent equations necessary to describe the reflected and refracted waves at a plane boundary between anisotropic media and the utility of the wave surface in discussing this problem. The critical angle phenomenon in anisotropic media is discussed in terms of the energy flux vector associated with the reflected and refracted modes. The critical angle is shown to occur generally at that angle of incidence for which the energy flux vector of the reflected or refracted mode is parallel to the boundary and not when the wave vector is parallel to the boundary. The possibility of not needing a nonhomogeneous surface wave to satisfy the boundary conditions at angles of incidence greater than the critical angle is discussed for certain particular regions in some anisotropic materials.