General transfer matrix method for the multi-material junction and wedge problems

A general transfer matrix method (GTMM) is developed to derive the characte ristic equation for the multi-material junction and wedge problems. Using c omplex variable techniques, the boundary conditions can be represented by a matrix equation. The matrix itself can be simplified to be a square matrix of order 4, for both the junction and wedge problems. In the case of a uni form temperature field, non-homogeneous terms occur on the interface of dif ferent kinds of materials. Including the logarithmic terms of potential for temperature, the GTMM can also be applied in this case. Since the derivati on of the method involves only a matrix of order 4 or less, the GTMM is muc h more convenient in the implementation of computer programs.