It is demonstrated that ab initio microscopic calculations of the linear optical reflection response of mesoscopic films, e.g., quantum wells, can always be represented by a sheet-model description, even if one goes beyond the so-called electric-dipole approximation. A general expression for the sheet-conductivity tensor is established, and the reflection matrix of the mesoscopic film is studied. In the wake of an investigation of the moment expansion of the sheet conductivity, new jump conditions for the electromagnetic field across a so-called electric-dipole–electric-dipole sheet are established. Finally, the inconsistencies associated with the use of standard (textbook) jump conditions in analysis of the linear optical response of mesoscopic films are identified.

© 1995 Optical Society of America

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