Diffraction by a wide slit and complementary strip. I

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn recent years much attention has been directed towards the asymptotic solution of diffraction problems. In the present work, consideration is given to the relatively simple problem of the diffraction of an E-polarized plane wave by an infinite slit. The solution takes the form of a series in inverse powers of the ratio of slit-width to wavelength of the incident wave, and is based on the solution by successive substitutions of a pair of integral equations. The current densities induced on both halves of the screen are calculated, from which is deduced the electric field in the slit. The far-field is determined from the aperture distribution, and an asymptotic expression is found for the transmission coefficient as a function of the angle of incidence and the ratio of slit-width to wavelength.While most previous work has been confined to near-normal incidence, the present theory is uniformly valid for all angles of incidence.