Grazing-angle scattering of electromagnetic waves in periodic Bragg arrays

A new powerful approximate approach for the theoretical analysis of Bragg scattering in oblique strip-like periodic arrays with the scattered wave propagating almost parallel to the array boundaries – grazing-angle scattering (GAS) – is introduced and justified. This approach is based on allowance for the diffractional divergence of the scattered wave by means of the parabolic equation of diffraction and Fourier analysis. The divergence is demonstrated to be an intrinsic physical cause of GAS. Detailed theoretical analysis of steady-state GAS is carried out for bulk and guided optical modes. It is demonstrated that the most interesting feature of GAS in arrays of width that is greater than a critical width is a unique combination of two strong simultaneous resonances with respect to frequency and angle of scattering. In such wide arrays, GAS is demonstrated to be not only unusually sensitive to angle of scattering, but also to small variations of array width and grating amplitude. Entire concentration of the resonantly strong scattered wave inside the array is shown to be possible. A relationship between GAS, conventional Bragg scattering, and extremely asymmetrical scattering (i.e. where the scattered wave propagates parallel to the array boundaries) is analysed. Applicability conditions for the used approximations and obtained results are derived and discussed.