HOMOGENIZATION OF A SET OF PARALLEL FIBERS

Rigorous results concerning the possibility of homogenizing a set of p arallel fibres are given from the viewpoint of electromagnetic scatter ing. We deal with the classical time-harmonic Maxwell problem and dist inguish the two cases of polarization, i.e. electric field parallel to the fibres (E parallel to) and magnetic field parallel to the fibres (H parallel to). Assuming a low density of fibres, we obtain, in the E parallel to case, an effective medium with a possibly negative permit tivity, whereas in the H parallel to case the fibres disappear complet ely. On the other hand, for a high density of fibres, the E parallel t o case leads to a perfectly conducting medium and the H parallel to ca se to a dielectric medium with a surface current on its boundary.