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Updated: Aug 18, 2026

The Preparation of Electrohydrodynamic Bridges from Polar Dielectric Liquids
Published on: September 30, 2014
The reflection of bounded inhomogeneous waves on a liquid/solid interface
S Vanaverbeke1, F Windels, O Leroy
1Interdisciplinary Research Center (IRC), E. Sabbelaan 53, B-8500 Kortrijk, Belgium. sigfried.vanaverbeke@kulak.ac.be
Abstract:
Fourier analysis and normal mode theory are used to describe the reflection of bounded inhomogeneous waves on a liquid/solid interface. Nonspecular reflection phenomena in the Rayleigh angle are studied in detail. In this way, an explanation is given for the Rayleigh dip phenomenon for positive inhomogeneity factors and the related result of a reflection coefficient larger than unity when the sign of the inhomogeneity factor is reversed. In the limit of large beamwidths, the reflection coefficient predicted by the infinite plane inhomogeneous wave theory is obtained. These results are entirely consistent with the experimental work published by Deschamps [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 96, 2841-2848 (1994)]. The energy efficiency of Rayleigh wave excitation is investigated as well. It is shown that for large beamwidths, the energy efficiency for bounded inhomogeneous waves is considerably higher in comparison with Gaussian and square-profiled beams.
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