Summary of normal mode theory symposium

A SYMPOSIUM on Normal Mode Theory was convened, under the chairmanship of Dr. S. A. Schelkunoff, at the Navy Electronics Laboratory on July 5, 6, and 7, 1955. This symposium consisted of an informal trip to Palomar Mountain on July 5 and a round-table discussion on July 6¿7 for the purpose of exchanging ideas about the present state of theoretical knowledge of wave propagation through stratified media, the known methods of attack, and the outstanding unanswered questions. Although the emphasis was on normal mode theory, the possibility of extending the ray theory of physical optics was explored. The following list of topics was on the agenda: