understanding the meaing of k number direction in plane wave

[yefj]

Hello,I am confused regarding direction in plane wave
there is X direction of the field but also i have direction of the values in "exponent."
how do i know what direction does it propogate?
how does these two directions go togother?
thanks.

 

[PlanarMetamaterials]

If this is indeed the form of a plane wave, the direction of propagation would be theta_in, which is in the y-z plane. You can check this by taking the gradient of the field -- which for a plane wave -- gives you the direction of propagation.

 

[ferdem]

You need to follow in what direction the phase changes. Because propagation of a planewave in a lossless media(like your case) is nothing but a phase change. Here, either of y or z changes the phase. Therefore we can say that it propagates into some direction in between y and z.

 

[andre_luis]

The K variable value must likely be either +1 or -1, determining CW or CCW rotation.

 

[PlanarMetamaterials]

The K variable value must likely be either +1 or -1, determining CW or CCW rotation.

The k term in this context is usually wavenumber (at least where I come from), but I suppose the OP did not specify.