Effects of non-synchronized variations of electric and magnetic properties on transmitted waves at lossy interface

•The generalized formulas of reflection and refraction are developed.•The dynamic mechanics of reflection and refraction is proposed.•A physical picture for negative refraction of TM polarized wave induced by metal-dielectric-metal structure is suggested.

Generalized formulas of reflection and refraction are derived by simultaneously considering real valued boundary conditions and Poynting׳s theorem. It is proposed that the dynamic mechanics of reflection and refraction may be attributed to the minimization of the interface energy. In addition, it is predicted that non-synchronized variation among electric and magnetic parameters at the lossy interface may readjust distribution of energy flows between the reflected and transmitted waves, produce additional peak(s) in the curves for time averaged Poynting vector of the transmitted wave versus refracted angle, induce negative refraction of either TM or TE polarized wave without negative refraction index, and so on.