Reflection of light from amplifying medium

The existing linear theory of the reflection of light waves from an amplifying medium is debated. The exiting data are often contradictory, a reflection coefficient of amplifying medium of greater than unity is discussed, an upper bound of 5.82 is imposed on this quantity, significant corrections of prelaser concepts regarding the reflection and refraction of light in such media are proposed, etc. This stimulates reconsideration of the existing results. Evidently, the corresponding analysis must be based on the data obtained with a commonly accepted and, preferably, simplest approach. In our opinion, such an approach represents an analytical continuation of the known prelaser achievements (the Airy formulas for the reflection and transmission of light in a transparent medium proposed in 1833) to the domain of the amplifying media. The results presented can improve the basis of a linear theory for the interaction of light with amplifying media.