Total internal reflection of pulsed light beam upon ideal non-absorbing plasma

Total internal reflection (TIR) of a pulsed light beam from vacuum incident upon an ideal non-absorbing plasma was investigated theoretically using the Fourier transform method. Because of the Goos–Hänchen effect, the reflected pulsed beam undergoes distortions such as carrier frequency shift and chirp. The distortions are magnified on condition that the pulsed beam is TM-polarized and illuminates the interface at large angle of incidence, which should be avoided for reflection of pulsed beam upon optical mirrors with metal film. Meanwhile, it is shown that the Goos–Hänchen shift and time delay of this TIR can be both positive and negative, which is consistent with the results obtained from stationary phase theory.