Roger wrote:
Cecil Moore wrote:
In the absence of a real physical impedance discontinuity,
they cannot "reflect off one another". In a constant Z0 transmission
line, reflections can only occur at the ends of the line and only
then at an impedance discontinuity.

Cecil, this sounds more like a pronouncement from God than like an
conclusion from observations.

Sorry, it wasn't meant that way. It is just a fact of
physics that is obvious. EM waves possess energy and
momentum. Both of those values must be preserved. In
a passive constant-Z0 transmission line, if there are
no impedance discontinuities to cause reflections, then
reflections cannot exist. If reflections don't exist,
the momentum of the EM waves doesn't change.

Where we differ is that you allow traveling waves to "reflect
off one another". There are no laws of physics which allow
that in the absence of a physical impedance discontinuity.
EM waves simply do not bounce off each other.

I am not aware of any laws of physics that prevent it either.

Why doesn't a reflection coefficient equal to zero
imply no bouncing?

I don't
see any evidence that it happens in open space, like light bouncing off
light. It might happen on transmission lines however. I just cannot
find any convincing evidence either way. What I have deduced so far
indicates that it makes no difference which happens.

If it doesn't happen with light waves, it probably doesn't
happen with RF waves - they are identical except for
wavelength.

I am stating a negative premise, that EM waves do not bounce
off of each other. A negative premise cannot be proved. It
can only be disproved and it only takes one case to do so.

If anyone can offer just one proven case of one EM wave bouncing
off of another EM wave in the complete absence of a change in
the media, then I will be proven wrong.
--
73, Cecil http://www.w5dxp.com