Complex-Source Beam Diffraction by an Impedance Wedge: Exact and Asymptotic Solutions

The new canonical problem of beam diffraction by an impedance wedge is introduced and solved. We formulate an exact solution via the Sommerfeld-Malyuzhinets integral in conjunction with the complex source method, and then derive a ray-based uniform asymptotic solution, which is shown to be in good agreement with the numerical integration of the exact Malyuzhinets solution. Initial numerical results reveal the rich phenomenology, involving local reflection, edge diffraction that depends on the beam displacement from the edge, and possible local excitation of surface waves by the edge-diffracted field.