Light propagation in stratified chiral media. The 4 x 4 matrix method

Propagation of electromagnetic waves in stratified bianisotropic chiral structures is described by the 4 x 4 matrix method. At arbitrary layer parameters, the amplitude and the polarization characteristics (intensity, polarization azimuth, and ellipticity) of reflected and transmitted electromagnetic waves are studied as functions of the angle of the wave incidence onto the structure. (C) 2000 MAIK Nauka/Interperiodica.