A new formulation is proposed in the electromagnetic wave diffraction probl
em from a multilayer-coated Fourier grating by using the T-matrix method wi
th expression of R-matrix propagation. This formulation is also useful expr
ession because our R-matrix propagation algorithm is avoided a singularity
of matrix elements for the evanescent mode. The analytical form of the matr
ix elements is also obtained in the term of the Bessel function. Numerical
calculations for the Fourier grating with numbers of the coated-layer and l
arge thick layer can be successfully obtained in the high accuracy. This me
thod for the sinusoidal grating is good agreement with other methods. Numer
ical results for the Fourier grating have also been checked by percentage p
ower errors. As the numerical examples, we present diffraction efficiencies
versus wavelength in the Fourier grating with aluminum substrate.