REFLECTION FROM A LOSSY CHIRAL SLAB (WITH AND WITHOUT METALLIC BACKING) IN A PARALLEL-PLATE WAVE-GUIDE

In this paper we analyze theoretically the problem of reflection of gu ided transverse electromagnetic (TEM) mode from a lossy chiral layer l ocated transversely in a parallel plate waveguide. We consider two cas es: one where the lossy chiral slab is there by itself (without metall ic backing) and the front and the back of the slab are free space regi ons in the waveguide; and the other where the lossy slab is backed by a perfect conductor. The effects of various parameters, particularly t he loss and the chirality of the layer, on the reflected guided waves are discussed and physical insights given. This problem may offer pote ntial applications in the design of novel thin chiral shields and abso rbers in waveguides and cavities and also for the study of measurement techniques to obtain material parameters of chiral composites.