title: Iwasawa effects in multilayer optics.
abstract: There are many two-by-two matrices in layer optics. It is shown that they can be formulated in terms of a three-parameter group whose algebraic property is the same as the group of Lorentz transformations in a space with two spacelike and one timelike dimensions, or the Sp(2) group which is a standard theoretical tool in optics. Among the interesting mathematical properties of this group, the Iwasawa decomposition drastically simplifies the matrix algebra under certain conditions, and leads to a concise expression for the S matrix for transmitted and reflected waves. It is shown that the Iwasawa effect can be observed in multilayer optics, and a sample calculation of the S matrix is given.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA. elena@physics.georgetown.edu
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Georgieva
authors.forename: Y S
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Kim