The Vector Wave Function Solution of the Diffraction of Electromagnetic Waves by Circular Disks and Apertures. I. Oblate Spheroidal Vector Wave Functions

Rigorous solutions are presented of the problems of diffraction of plane electromagnetic waves by an infinitely thin, perfectly conducting, circular disk and by a circular aperture in a plane conducting screen. The analysis utilizes oblate spheroidal vector wave functions. In Part I these vector functions are defined and the expansions of plane-polarized waves in terms of them are obtained. Part II contains the solutions of the diffraction problems.