TRAPPED ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE

An electromagnetic wave that enters a layer of material that is surrounded on both sides by a layer of material of a lesser refractive index such that, if the wave is traveling parallel or nearly parallel to the surfaces of the layers and hence the incident angles with the surfaces are greater than the critical angle , i.e. , the angles are grazing with the surface, total internal reflection will occur on both sides and hence trap the wave. Note: Dielectric slabs, optical fibers, and layers of air can serve as an electromagnetic wave trap , thus confining the wave to a given direction of propagation and to a given point. [ From Weik '89 ]