Electromagnetic scattering by periodic structures (Q556790)

The paper considers the existence and uniqueness problem for the stationary scattering of electromagnetic waves (diffraction) on a structure which is localized in the propagation direction of the wave, and is periodic in two other directions, taking piece-wise constant values (this corresponds to the usual structure of diffraction gratings). It is proved that the solution exists at all values of the parameters, and is unique everywhere, except, maybe, for a discrete set. The proof is based on replacement of the wave-radiation condition in the stationary diffraction equations, which are derived from the full system of the Maxwell's equations, by a nonlocal boundary condition. After that, the entire problem is cast into a variational form, for which the existence and uniqueness can be proved. Also considered and compared with previously known results is the case of the conical diffraction, which corresponds to the grating structure which is periodic only in one direction, and uniform in the other.