Complete absorption of the transverse-magnetic waves by opaque layered systems

Absorptive layered systems which provide excitation of leaky surface electromagnetic waves are considered, and the conditions for complete absorption of incident transverse-magnetic modes are found. It is shown that such absorption can be achieved by proper choise of the angle of incidence and of the overlayer thickness. The infrared reflectance of Al coated with SiO₂ is calculated, examplifying the predicted effect.