Non-Conservation of Total Energy Flow Induced by Wave Superposition

In light of the ongoing debates over possible infringements of the energy conservation Law (ECL), we create a systematic model to revisit the superposition of electromagnetic waves, which gives rise to anomalous energy manifestations within the domain of classical electromagnetism. This phenomenon was initially observed in a model wherein two harmonic waves engage in either constructive or destructive interference throughout space. Nevertheless, it was previously dismissed as a “false paradox” by incorrectly attributing its root cause to the electromagnetic (EM) coupling effect between radiation sources. To rectify the mistake, we completely eliminate the EM coupling problem by replacing the EM sources with two focal points formed by two half-parabolic surfaces. The results of our study uncover, again, a physical fact that the ECL does not necessarily persist universally in case of wave interference, at least within the framework of Poynting’s theorem.