Reflection and transmission of light for a layer of a naturally gyrotropic medium found in an external magnetic field

The propagation of electromagnetic waves through a layer of a naturally gyrotropic medium found in a magnetic field is studied. The problem is solved mathematically using 4×4 Berreman matrices. The Berreman Δ matrix and exact Jones reflection ( R̂ ) and transmission ( T̂ ) matrices are constructed. The reflectivity, the transmittance, the azimuth, and the ellipticity of polarization of the transmitted wave are calculated. Specific features of the irreversibility of waves are studied. It is shown that multiple reflections in a finite layer lead to a manifold increase in irreversibility, which makes possible the use of such systems as optical diodes working in reflection or as unidirectional reflectors. It is shown that three eigenmodes are excited in such media under certain conditions. The relation between the azimuths of transmitted and incident waves is found and specific features of the relation are analyzed.