Electromagnetic Field Theory

Gerd Mrozynski • Matthias Stallein

Electromagnetic Field Theory

A Collection of Problems

With 152 Illustrations

Gerd Mrozynski,
Matthias Stallein,
Universität Paderborn, Germany

ISBN 978-3-8348-1711-2 ISBN 978-3-8348-2178-2 (eBook)

DOI 10.1007/978-3-8348-2178-2

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012943069

The Deutsche Nationalbibliothek lists this publication in the Deutsche Nationalbibliografie;

detailed bibliographic data are available in the Internet at http://dnb.d-nb.de.

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Preface

The theory of electromagnetic fields is an integral part of the curriculum of university

courses in Electrical Engineering, Information Systems Engineering, and related areas.
Often students have difficulties with this subject, because its wonderful theory is hidden
behind a mathematical formalism. Quite a few textbooks with emphasis on various
aspects of Maxwell’s theory are available and it is not the purpose of this book to add
another one. Instead it is an attempt to allow for a deeper understanding of static and
dynamic fields by the discussion and calculation of typical problems. For a successful
learning progress the reader should at first try to solve the problems independently.
Today it is common practice that engineers use software packages to solve Maxwell’s
equations numerically. Commercial simulation suites offer convenient user interfaces
for the modeling and simulation of complex structures. Often it is not necessary to have
specific knowledge of the underlying numerical and physical model. Of course, this is
the intention of commercial software, but it makes it impossible to check the results
and to estimate the inherent error. Especially scientists should always be aware of the
validity of their results and whenever possible a comparison with analytic solutions is
recommended.
This book covers most of the fundamental analytic approaches for the calculation of
static and dynamic electromagnetic fields. In the first chapter Maxwell’s theory and
the differential equations for the potentials of the fields are briefly summarized. The
description is not complete and should rather serve as a formulary. In the following
chapters problems of the classical parts of the electromagnetic field theory and their
solutions are presented. Wherever it is useful, field patterns of the analytic solutions
have been added.
The current edition is a translation of the German book “Elektromagnetische Feldtheo-
rie — Eine Aufgabensammlung” [13]. It includes minor corrections and two additional
problems in chapter 6. This English edition should of course address a broader audi-
ence, but also support the upcoming bilingual Bachelor and Master Degree courses in
Germany.

Paderborn, August 2011

Gerd Mrozynski
Matthias Stallein
Contents

1 Fundamental Equations 1

2 Electrostatic Fields 12

2.1 Charged Concentric Spheres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

2.2 Mutual Capacitances of a Screened Parallel-Wire Line . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.3 Singular Points and Lines in the Field of Point Charges . . . . . . . . . 17
2.4 Force on a Point Charge by the Field of a Space Charge . . . . . . . . . 19
2.5 Charge Density on a Conducting Cylinder in Front of a Conducting Plane 20
2.6 Potential of Concentric Spheres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
2.7 Dipole within a Dielectric Sphere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
2.8 Potential of a Charge with Radially Dependent Density . . . . . . . . . 27

2.9 Dielectric Sphere Exposed to the Field of an Axial Line Source . . . . . 29

2.10 Concentric Cylinders With Given Potential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
2.11 Method of Images For Conducting Spheres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
2.12 Rectangular Cylinder with Given Potential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
2.13 Potential of Hemispherical Charge Distributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
2.14 Energy and Force inside a Partially Filled Parallel-Plate Capacitor . . . 48
2.15 2D-Problem with Homogeneous Boundary Conditions on Different
Cartesian Coordinates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
2.16 Method of Images for Dielectric Half-Spaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
2.17 Concentric Cylinders with Given Potentials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
2.18 Force on a Ring Charge inside a Conducting Cylinder . . . . . . . . . . 59
2.19 Geometry with Circular Symmetry and Given Potentials on Parallel Planes 63
2.20 Dielectric Cylinder with Variable Charge on its Surface . . . . . . . . . 64
2.21 Potential and Field of Dipole Layers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
2.22 Sphere with Given Potential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
viii Contents

2.23 Plane with Given Potential in Free Space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

2.24 Charge on a Plane between two Dielectrics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
2.25 Force on a Point Charge by the Field of a Ring Charge
in front of a Conducting Sphere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
2.26 Boundary Field of a Parallel-Plate Capacitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

3 Stationary Current Distributions 81

3.1 Current Radially Impressed in a Conducting Cylinder . . . . . . . . . . 81
3.2 Current Distribution around a Hollow Sphere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
3.3 Current Distribution inside a Rectangular Cylinder . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
3.4 Current Distribution inside a Circular Cylinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
3.5 Current Distribution in a Cylinder with Stepped Down Diameter . . . . 92
3.6 Current Distribution around a Conducting Sphere . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

4 Magnetic Field of Stationary Currents 99

4.1 Magnetic Field of Line Conductors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
4.2 Magnetic Field of a Current Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
4.3 Energy and Inductance of Conductors with Circular Symmetry . . . . . 102
4.4 Shielding of the Magnetic Field of a Parallel-Wire Line . . . . . . . . . . 106
4.5 Magnetic Field and Stationary Current Flow in a Cylinder with Stepped
Down Diameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
4.6 Force on a Conductor Loop in Front of a Permeable Sphere . . . . . . . 114
4.7 Shielding of a Homogeneous Magnetic Field by a
Permeable Hollow Cylinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
4.8 Mutual Inductance of Plane Conductor Loops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
4.9 Inductive Coupling between Conductor Loops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents 126

5.1 Current Distribution in a Layered Cylinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
5.2 Rotating Conductor Loop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Contents ix

5.3 Force Caused by an Induced Current Distribution

inside a Conducting Sphere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
5.4 Impedance of a Coaxial Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
5.5 Induced Current Distribution in the Conducting Half-Space . . . . . . . 144
5.6 Induced Current Distribution by a Moving Conductor . . . . . . . . . . 148
5.7 Conducting Cylinder Exposed to a Rotating Magnetic Field . . . . . . . 152
5.8 Power Loss and Energy Balance inside a Conducting Sphere
Exposed to the Transient Field of a Conductor Loop . . . . . . . . . . . 157
5.9 Induced Current Distribution in a Conducting Cylinder . . . . . . . . . 166
5.10 Cylinder with Stepped Down Diameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
5.11 Frequency-Dependent Current Distribution in Conductors of Different
Conductivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
5.12 Electric Circuit with Massive Conductors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
5.13 Magnetically Coupled System of Conductors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
5.14 Induced Current Distribution in a Conducting Slab
with Arbitrary Time-Dependency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188

6 Electromagnetic Waves 194

6.1 Transient Waves on Ideal Transmission Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
6.2 Excitation of Hybrid Waves in a Rectangular Waveguide . . . . . . . . . 196
6.3 Excitation of Transverse Electric Waves in a Parallel-Plate Waveguide . 200
6.4 Coaxial Cable with Inhomogeneous Dielectric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
6.5 Cylindrical Waveguide Resonator with Inhomogeneous Permittivity . . . 206
6.6 Guided Waves in a Parallel-Plate Waveguide with Layered Permittivity 209
6.7 Group of Hertzian Dipoles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
6.8 Linear Antenna in Front of a Conducting Plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
6.9 Hertzian Dipoles Along the x-Axis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
6.10 Radiation Patterns of Antenna Arrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
6.11 Waveguide with Sections of Different Dielectrics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
x Contents

6.12 Reflection of a Plane Wave at a Conducting Half-Plane . . . . . . . . . 226

6.13 Guided Waves in a Dielectric Slab Waveguide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
6.14 Layered Dielectric Slab Waveguide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
6.15 Diffraction by a Dielectric Cylinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247

Appendix 260

References 265

Index 266
Symbols


A Vector potential
a Surface, Distance

B Magnetic flux density
C Capacitance, Integration path
cij Capacitance coefficients
D Electric flux density
E Electric field
F Vector potential, Force
H Magnetic field
I, i Electric current
J Current density
K Current sheet
Lik Inductance
M Dipole moment
m
 Dipole moment density
P Power
pv Power loss density
pij Potential coefficients
Q Charge
 r
R, Position vectors

S Poynting vector
t, T Time
u Voltage
U, V Potential
v Volume, Velocity
W Energy
w Energy density, Complex variable
Z Wave impedance

α Skin constant, Angle

β Phase constant
γ Propagation constant
δ Skin depth, Dirac Delta function
δmn Kronecker Delta
ε Permittivity
xii Symbols

μ Permeability
κ Conductivity
Volume charge density, Coordinate
σ Surface charge density, Step function
λq Line charge density
λ Wavelength
Ψe,m Electric/Magnetic flux
ϕ, ψ Potential function
Ω Solid angle
ω Angular frequency
Φ Radiation pattern, Potential

ε0 = 8.854 ·10−12 [As/Vm]

μ0 = 4π · 10−7 [Vs/Am]

Complex quantities are underlined, except of the complex variable

z = x + jy, w = u + jv and special functions with complex arguments.

A∗ conjugate-complex quantity.

 = A Absolute value of a vector or complex quantity.

|A|

A Time-average value of a quantity.

Im{} Imaginary part of a complex quantity.

Re{} Real part of a complex quantity.

1. Fundamental Equations

In a medium of permittivity ε, permeability μ, and conductivity κ Maxwell’s equations

are in integral form
   
  
 s = ∂ D  s = −∂
Hd J + da ; Ed  a
Bd
∂t ∂t
C a C a

B = μH
 ;  = εE
D 
    
 a = 0;
Bd 
Dda = dv ;  a+ ∂
Jd dv = 0 ; J = κE.

∂t
a a v a v

 r , t) is the magnetic field, B(

Here H(  r , t) is the magnetic flux density, E(
 r , t) is the
 r , t) is the electric flux density.
electric field, and D(

All fields depend on the space variable r and the time t and have to be integrated over
surfaces a with a contour C or over surfaces a enclosing the volume v. The current
 r , t) and the charge density (r, t) satisfy the continuity equation, which
density J(
implies the conservation of charge.

In differential form Maxwell’s equations are

 
 = J + ∂ D ;
rot H  = − ∂B ;
rot E  = μH
B ;  = εE
D 
∂t ∂t
 = 0;
div B  = ;
div D div J + ∂ /∂t = 0 ; J = κE
.

The force F of the electromagnetic field on a charge with velocity v , namely the Lorentz
force, is given by
dF = (E  + v × B)
 dv.

For a surface a with normal n directed from domain (1) with material properties
ε1 , μ1 , κ1 into domain (2) with material properties ε2 , μ2 , κ2 the following boundary
conditions can be deduced
   

n × E  1  = 0 ; n × H
2 − E 2 − H 1  = 0, K 
a a

     
n B  1  = 0 ;
2 − B n D  1  = σ ;
2 −D 
n J2 − J1  = −
∂σ
.
a a a ∂t
Here σ is a space- and time-dependent surface charge density within the boundary
layer a.

G.Mrozynski, M.Stallein, Electromagnetic Field Theory, DOI 10.1007/978-3-8348-2178-2_1,

© Springer Vieweg | Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden 2013
2 1 Fundamental Equations

If a conducting material is effected by a rapidly time-varying field, then the induced

current density decays rapidly from the surface to the inside. The integral of the current
density over the coordinate normal to the surface is considered as space-varying current
 and the boundary condition is
sheet K,

  = K
n × H  .
a

 then the relation between the

If the surface a carries an impressed current sheet K,
tangential components of the magnetic field in the adjoining subspaces is
 
n × H2 − H 1  = K
.
a

The following equations hold in regions with sectional homogeneous material properties,
that are characterized by scalar parameters ε, μ, and κ.
Electrostatic Fields
The equations for the electric field of static charges are

 = 0;
rot E  = ;
div D  = εE
D 

 = −grad V ;
E ΔV = − /ε .
The electric field at coordinate rp is given by the gradient of the scalar electrostatic
potential V (rp ). Charge distributions are classified as space charge densities (rq )
in a volume v, surface charge densities σ(rq ) on a surface a, or line charge densities
λq (rq ) on a line with contour C. In a homogeneous space of permittivity ε the charge
distributions possess the following potentials and fields at point rp .
 
1 (rq )  1 r
V (rp ) = dv ; E(rp ) = −grad V (rp ) = (rq ) 3 dv
4πε r 4πε r
v v
 
1 σ(rq )  rp ) = −grad V (rp ) = 1 r
V (rp ) = da ; E( σ(rq ) da
4πε r 4πε r3
a v
 
1 λq (rq )  rp ) = −grad V (rp ) = 1 r
V (rp ) = ds ; E( λq (rq ) ds
4πε r 4πε r3
C C

with r = rp − rq , |r| = r. Similarly the field of n point charges Qi at positions rqi ;
i = 1, 2, 3, . . . , n is given by

1  
n n
Qi  rp ) = −grad V (rp ) = 1 rp − rqi
V (rp ) = ; E( Qi .
4πε i=1 |rp − rqi | 4πε i=1 |rp − rqi |3
1 Fundamental Equations 3

Line- and point charges are quantities that were introduced to simplify the field compu-
tation, but due to the unbounded energy of the fields they are just theoretical models.
 over a surface a leads to the electric Flux
The integral of the electric flux density D

Ψe =  da .
D
a

 over a closed surface a, that encloses the volume v, is in accordance

The integral of D
with the field equation identical to the enclosed charge Q.
 
Ψe =  a = Q =
Dd dv
a v

If the electric flux that runs through a tube is constant Ψe = const , then the electric
field is parallel to the side surface of the tube. Thus the determination of these flux
tubes also defines electric lines of force. In this way often lines of force are obtained
easier than by solving the corresponding differential equation
 = 0.
ds × E

Electric dipoles with a moment M  (rq ) in a homogeneous space of permittivity ε excite

 rp ).
the potential V (rp ) and the electric field E(
 (rq ) r
M   
V (rp ) = ;  rp ) = 1 1 3 M
E(  r/r r/r − M
 ; r = rp − rq
4πε r3 4πε r3
A dipole layer with density m(rq ) on the surface a causes the potential

1
V (rp ) =  rq )r/r3 da ;
m( m(
 rq ) = n(rq ) m(rq ) .
4πε
a

The transition trough a dipole layer in the direction of the surface normal n(rq ) from
region (1) to region (2) induces a change of m/ε in the potential and for the electric
field applies
  

n × n × E 2 − E 1  = 1/ε grad m(rq ) ; V2 − V1 | = m(rq )/ε .

a
a

If the dipoles have a homogeneous density m  0 = n(rq ) m0 , then the potential is de-
termined by means of the solid angle Ω, which is given by the border contour of the
surface.
 
m0 3 m0
V (rp ) = n(rq )r/r da = − Ω ; Ω = − n(rq ) r/r3 da
4πε 4πε
a a
4 1 Fundamental Equations

For spatial dipole distributions m  V (rq ) in a volume v results in analogy


1
V (rp ) =  V (rq ) r/r3 dv .
m
4πε
v

The field of homogeneous distributions m  V = e mV0 can also be calculated by consid-

eration of an equivalent surface charge σ = n e mV0 on the surface a of the volume v,
where the total charge on the surface is zero.
Plane electrostatic problems can be treated by a complex potential

P e (z) = Per (x, y) + j Pei (x, y) = Per ( , ϕ) + j Pei ( , ϕ)

with Δ Per = 0 ; Δ Pei = 0; z = x + jy = exp(jϕ) .

The Laplace equation is invariant concerning conformal mapping.
For a homogeneous line charge λq at position zq the complex potential is
λq (z − zq )
P e (z) = − ln = V ( , ϕ) − j/εΨe /l =
2πε  c 
λq (z − zq )
=− ln( /c) + j arg
2πε c
 ∗
dP e (z) λq 1
⇒ E(z) = − = ; = |z − zq | ;
dz 2πε (z − zq )∗

E(z) = Ex (x, y) + jEy (x, y).

Ψe /l is the electric flux per length l and c is an arbitrary constant. The potential of
other planar source distributions is easily deduced from the above equations.
The energy We stored in the electric field is the integral of the energy density we .
 
1  1 D
 dv
we = E D ; We = we dv = E
2 2
v v

In a system of n conducting and charged bodies a simple linear relation between the
potentials Vi and the charges Qi , i = 1, 2, . . . , n exists.

n 
n
Vk = pki Qi ; Qk = cki Vi
i=1 i=1


n
Qk = Ck∞ Vk + Cki (Vk − Vi )
i=1
Here pki and cki are the potential and capacitance coefficients and Cki are mutual
capacitances.
1 Fundamental Equations 5

Stationary Current Density Field

The field equations are

 = 0;
rot E div J = 0 ; J = κE
;  = −grad V ;
E ΔV = 0 .

As there is an analogy to the electrostatic field in source free regions, most relations of
the previous section remain valid.
Magnetic Field of Stationary Currents
The field equations are

 = J ;
rot H  = 0;
div B  = μH
B 

 = rot A
B ;  = 0;
div A  = −μJ .
ΔA

 rq ) in a volume v a solution for the source-free vector

With a given current density J(
 rp ) is given by
potential A(
  rq )
 rp ) = μ
A(
J(
dv .
4π |rp − rq |
v

 is
Hence the solution for the magnetic field H

 
 rp ) = B = 1
H(  rq ) × r dv ;
J( r = rp − rq .
μ 4π r3
v

The magnetic Flux Ψm through a surface a with the contour C is defined by the
integrals   
Ψm = 
Bda = 
rot A da =  ds .
A
a a C

As the curl of the magnetic field is zero in space with no currents one can also use a
scalar potential Vm for the description of the magnetic field. For a line current the
solution is

 1 r
H = −grad Vm ; ΔVm = 0 ; Vm (rp ) = m
 m 3 da ; m  m = μnI.
4πμ r
a

A current I on a thin conductor loop with contour C can be replaced by a magnetic

dipole density on an arbitrary surface a enclosed by the contour C. When passing the
surface the potential changes by the value of the current.
6 1 Fundamental Equations

The vector potential is determined by


 1 r
A(rp ) =  m × 3 da ;
m r = rp − rq .
4π r
a

Plane magnetic fields can be calculated by a complex magnetic potential P m (z). With
ΔPmr = 0 and ΔPmi = 0 it follows

P m (z) = P m (x + jy) = Pmr (x, y) + jPmi (x, y) = A(x, y) + jμVm (x, y) .

Hence the complex magnetic field H(z) is

H(z) = Hx (x, y) + jHy (x, y) = −j/μ(dP m (z)/dz)∗ .

An example for a complex potential is given by a line current I at position zq .

μI
P m (z) = − ln((z − zq )/c) = A( , ϕ) + jμVm ( , ϕ)
2π
μI
A( ) = − ln( /c) ; = |z − zq | ; ϕ = arg((z − zq )/c)
2π
arg((z − zq )/c) I 1 I
Vm = −I ; H(z) = j =j exp(jϕ)
2π 2π (z − zq )∗ 2π
Here c is a proper constant.
The energy Wm stored in the magnetic field corresponds to the integral of the magnetic
energy density wm .
 
1 1  Bdv
 1  Jdv

wm = H B; Wm = H = A
2 2 2
v vL

The second integral over the volume of the conductor vL assumes a regular behavior
of the magnetic field and the vector potential at large distances.
In a system of n current-carrying conductors with current densities Ji the energy of
the field is given by
n  n 
1  
n n  n n
Wm = H  k dv = 1
 iB  ik dv = 1
Ji A Lik Ii Ik
2 i=1 2 i=1 2 i=1
k=1 v k=1vLi k=1

 i of a single conductor i and the vector-potential A

with the field H  ik of the current Jk
evaluated within the conductor i. From this it follows the self-inductances and mutual
inductances      
Hi B k Ji Aik
Lik = dv = dv .
Ii Ik Ii Ik
v vLi
1 Fundamental Equations 7

For two line currents Ii and Ik with the contours Ci and Ck it follows

1  ik dsi = Ψmik ;
Lik = A i = k .
Ik Ik
Ci

Time-Varying Electromagnetic Fields

The following description again restricts to subspaces of homogeneous permittivity,
permeability, and conductivity.
The field equations in case of impressed electric currents with densities JE (rq , t) are:

 
 = JE + J + ∂ D ;
rot H  = − ∂B ;
rot E  = 0;
div B  = E
div D
∂t ∂t
∂ E
div JE + = 0; B  = μH
; D  = εE  ; J = κE.
∂t
 r , t) and ϕ(r, t) satisfy the differential equations
The electrodynamic potentials A(

 − κμ

∂A ∂ 2A
 ∂ϕ ∂2ϕ E
ΔA − με 2 = −μJE ; Δϕ − κμ − με 2 = −
∂t ∂t ∂t ∂t ε

 + κμϕ + με ∂ϕ = 0 ; B
div A  = rot A; E  = − ∂ A − grad ϕ .
∂t ∂t
In case of a sinusoidal time dependency of the field the corresponding equations for the
complex amplitudes are
E
 + ω 2 μεA
 − jωκμA
ΔA  = −μJ ; Δϕ − jωκμϕ + ω 2 μεϕ = −
E
ε
 + κμϕ + jωμεϕ = 0 ;
div A  = rot A
B ;  = −jω A
E  − grad ϕ .

The Poynting theorem is the law of energy conservation for a volume v surrounded by
the surface a


P s = P ve + 2jω W m − W e + Sd  a; S = 1E  ×H∗.

2
a

Here P s is the complex power of all sources in v, W m and W e are the time-averaged
energies stored in the electric and magnetic field
⎧ ⎫
 
1 ⎨  ∗ ⎬ μ  2 dv
W m = Re H B dv = |H|
4 ⎩ ⎭ 4
v v
8 1 Fundamental Equations

⎧ ⎫
1 ⎨ ⎬ ε

We = Re E  ∗ dv
 D =  2 dv
|E|
4 ⎩ ⎭ 4
v v

and P ve is the time-averaged power loss in the volume v

⎧ ⎫
 
1 ⎨  ∗ ⎬ κ  2 dv .
P ve = Re E J dv = |E|
2 ⎩ ⎭ 2
v v

 is called the complex Poynting vector.

S
Within source-free regions also
⎧ ⎫

1 ⎨  ∗
 da
⎬
P ve = − Re E×H
2 ⎩ ⎭
a

holds.
Quasi Stationary Fields

The contribution of the displacement current ∂ D/∂t to the magnetic field is negligible in
case of slowly time-varying fields compared to that of the conduction current. Therefore
the field equations are

rot H  = − ∂B
 = J ; rot E
∂t
div B = 0 ; div J = 0 ; B = μH ; J = κE
    

∂A ∂ϕ
 = rot A
B ;  = κμ
ΔA ; Δϕ = κμ ;  + κμϕ = 0
div A
∂t ∂t

 = − ∂ A − grad ϕ .
E
∂t
Electromagnetic Waves
The fields of plane waves in a homogeneous space of permittivity ε and permeability μ
depend only on one linear coordinate, here z, and on the time t (wave impedance Z,
phase velocity v, wavelength λ).

 1,2 (r, t) = eE1,2 (z ∓ vt) ;

E  1,2 (r, t) = ± 1 ez × E
H  1,2 (r, t)
Z

 12 = 0 ;  12 μ 1
ez · E ez H = 0; Z = ; v = √
ε με
With a sinusoidal time dependency of the angular frequency ω the solutions are


 1,2 (z, t) = Re E
E  exp j(ωt ∓ βz)
1,2
1 Fundamental Equations 9



 1,2 (z, t) = Re H
H  exp j(ωt ∓ βz)
1,2

 1,2 and H
where E  1,2 are complex amplitudes with

1

H 1,2 = ± 
 ;
ez × E 1,2

E 
1,2 = ±Z H 1,2 × 
ez ; β 2 = ω 2 με = (2π/λ)2 .
Z

The Poynting vector has a time-averaged value of

1,2− = ±ez 1 Z|H

S  |2 = ±ez 1 |E
 |2
1,2
2 2Z 1,2
and a periodical part with the frequency 2ω
 
 1  1  


S1,2∼ = ± Re E 1,2 × ez × E 1,2 exp 2j(ωt ∓ βz)

2 Z
1  2

= ±ez Re E exp 2j(ωt ∓ βz)
1,2
2Z
1  2

= ±ez Z Re H  exp 2j(ωt ∓ βz) .
1,2
2
In source-free spaces the fields are derivable from two potentials, which describe trans-
verse electric (TE-) or transverse magnetic (TM-)fields with respect to the direction
vector e. For the complex amplitudes applies


A F T E = eF T E
TM = 
eAT M ;

ΔF T E + β 2 F T E = 0 ; ΔAT M + β 2 AT M = 0
 =H
  1  1
H TE + HTM = rot A TM + rot rot F T E
μ jωμε
1 1
E 
 =E  
T E + E T M = − rot F T E +

rot rot A TM ; β 2 = ω 2 με ; κ = 0.
ε jωμε
A Hertzian dipole located at the point of origin with the moment M  = ez M = ez Is
and s  λ possesses in the far-field region r  λ the field
 
 r ) = jβ M  × r exp(−jβr) ; √ 2π
H( β = ω με =
4π r r λ
2
 
 r) = β
E(
r
× M  × r exp(−jβr) = Z H  × r .
jω4πε r r r r
The radiation pattern Φ is given by
 2
Z |
|M r
Φ= sin2 ϑ ; cos ϑ = ez .
8 λ r
10 1 Fundamental Equations

A linear antenna with the given current distribution I(rq ) on a line with contour C
leads to the following field in the far-field region:
   
 rp ) = jβ exp(−jβrp ) I(rq ) exp jβrq rp
H( dsq ×
rp
4π rp rp rp
C


 ×
 rp ) = Z H rp μ
E( ; Z = ; r = rp − rq ; rp = |rp | .
rp ε

TEM-waves guided by an ideal transmission line in z-direction are derived by means

of the potentials

 = ez Φ(x, y) exp(∓jβz) ;

A  = ∓ √1 grad Φ(x, y) exp(∓jβz)
E
με

 = 1 rot A
H  = 1 grad Φ(x, y) × ez exp(∓jβz) = ± 1 ez × E

μ μ Z
√
ΔΦ(x, y) = 0 ; β = ω με .

The integrals of the fields bring out the voltage u(z, t) and the current i(z, t) of the
transmission line
∂ 2u ∂2u ∂2i ∂2i ∂u ∂i ∂i ∂u
2
= L C  2 ; 2
= L C  2 ; − = L ; − = C
∂z ∂t ∂z ∂t ∂z ∂t ∂z ∂t
where L is the inductance per unit length and C  is the capacitance per unit length
in z-direction. The solutions are
1
u(z, t) = u1,2 (z ∓ vt) ; i(z, t) = i1,2 (z ∓ vt) ; v=√
L C 

L
Z = ; u1 = Z i1 ; u2 = −Z i2 .
C

TE- and TM-waves within ideal cylindrical waveguides in z-direction are described by

the potentials A 
T M and AT E .


A ez AT M = ez U T M (u1 , u2 ) exp ∓jβzT M z
TM = 

F T E = ez F T E = ez U T E (u1 , u2 ) exp ∓jβzT E z

ΔU T E,T M + β 2 − (βzT E,T M )2 U T E,T M = 0

Here (u1 , u2 ) are the orthogonal curvilinear coordinates in the plane z = const .
1 Fundamental Equations 11

At the perfect conducting boundaries of the waveguide with the contour C the boundary
conditions 
∂U T E 
U T M |C = 0 ; =0
∂n C
have to be satisfied. Thereby the phase constants βzT E and βzT M can be identified.
If the source distributions JE (rq , t) and E (rq , t) are given in a homogeneous space,
then the fields can be deduced from retarded potentials.
 
 rp , t) = μ JE (rq , t∗ )
A( dv
4π |rp − rq |
v

1 E (rq , t∗ )
ϕ(rp , t) = dv
4πε |rp − rq |
v
∗ √
Therein t = t − r/vph is the retarded time with the phase velocity vph = 1/ με.
In case of a sinusoidal time dependency the complex amplitudes are given by

 rp ) = μ exp(−jβ|rp − rq |)
A( JE (rq ) dv
4π |rp − rq |
v

1 exp(−jβ|rp − rq |)
ϕ(rp ) = E (rq ) dv
4πε |rp − rq |
v
√
with β = ω με.
2. Electrostatic Fields

2.1 Charged Concentric Spheres

Consider two conducting hollow spheres of radius r = b and r = c > b. The inner
sphere contains a spherical space charge with density [As/m3 ] and radius a < b − e,
which is eccentrically positioned at a distance e from the center. The homogeneous
permittivity in b < r < c is ε, while the permittivity in the remaining space is ε0 . The
potential on the outer sphere at r = c is V0 .
Find the potential on the sphere r = b, when it is uncharged.
Now the charge on the sphere r = b is set to Q1 . What is the Potential on the surface
and what is the charge Q0 of the sphere at r = c?

 

? >

A
 
= 


In b < r < c the electric field is of spherical symmetry and is described by the potential
V (r).
V (r) = C1 + C2 /r ; E  = −grad V = −er ∂V = er E(r)
∂r
E(r) = C2 /r2 ; D(r) = εE(r) = ε C2 /r2
If the sphere r = b is uncharged, the electrical flux through a surface b < r = const < c
is equal to the charge quantity in the region r < b.
Q
D(r) 4πr2 = 4/3 πa3 = Q = 4πε C2 ⇒ C2 =
4πε
Hence the potential is
Q 1 c
V (r) = C1 + ; b≤r≤c; V (r) = V0 ; r ≥ c.
4πε r r

G.Mrozynski, M.Stallein, Electromagnetic Field Theory, DOI 10.1007/978-3-8348-2178-2_2,

© Springer Vieweg | Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden 2013
2.2 Mutual Capacitances of a Screened Parallel-Wire Line 13

Furthermore the potential at r = c is V0

Q 1 Q 1
V (r = c) = V0 = C1 + ⇒ C1 = V0 − ,
4πε c 4πε c
thus  
Q 1 1
V (r) = V0 + − ; b ≤ r ≤ c.
4πε r c
With a vanishing total charge the sphere r = b is on the potential
 
Q 1 1
V (r = b) = V0 + − .
4πε b c

If the total charge of the sphere r = b is Q1 , then the potential is

 
Q + Q1 1 1 c
V (r) = V0 + − ; b ≤ r ≤ c; V (r) = V0 ; r ≥ c.
4πε r c r
The sphere r = c bears on its inner surface the total charge of −(Q + Q1 ) and the outer
side carries a homogeneous surface charge density σ:

∂V  V0
σ = D(r)| r≥c = −ε0  = ε0 .
r→c ∂r r≥c c
r→c

Therefore the total charge of the sphere r = c is

Q0 = −(Q + Q1 ) + 4π ε0 cV0 .

Finally, it should be noted that the position of the charge density has no influence
on the potential in > b.

2.2 Mutual Capacitances of a Screened Parallel-Wire Line

A parallel-wire line consists of ideal conductors with a distance 2b and a radius d  b.

It is symmetrically surrounded by a perfectly conducting circular screen of radius a > b
with a − b  d. The permittivity inside the screen is ε.
Calculate the potential and the mutual capacitances per longitudinal unit length inside
the screen.
The electric field in the complex plane z = x + jy = exp(jϕ) is equivalently approxi-
mated by the field of four line charges. The line charges λq1 at z = b and λq2 at z = −b
have to be mirrored at the cylinder = a. Hence there are additional charges −λq1 at
z = a2 /b and −λq2 at z = −a2 /b, and the complex potential P e (z) is
   
λq1 z−b z − a2 /b λq2 z+b z + a2 /b
P e (z) = − ln − ln − ln − ln ,
2πε a−b a − a2 /b 2πε a+b a + a2 /b
14 2 Electrostatic Fields

j y

a r
a
cd j dc
N
2 2 bb C 0 C C 0

e

where the real part vanishes on the cylinder = a. Rearranging the arguments of the
logarithm functions results in
    
λq1 z − a2 /b b a−b λq2 z + a2 /b
P e (z) = ln + ln + ln + ln(b/a) .
2πε z−b a b−a 2πε z+b

For the potential V ( , ϕ) = Re {P e (z)} it follows

   
λq1  z − a2 /b b  λq2  z + a2 /b b 
V ( , ϕ) = ln + ln .
2πε  z − b a  2πε  z + b a 
If the potential on the screen is zero, then the potential coefficients pik for the present
problem are deduced from

V1 = p11 λq1 + p12 λq2 = V ( = b − d, ϕ = π)

V2 = p21 λq1 + p22 λq2 = V ( = b − d, ϕ = 0) .

Here it has to be noted, that all potential coefficients refer to the unit length l. Now,
if we compare these equations with the solution for the potential
   
λq1  b − a2 /b b  λq2  b + a2 /b 
V1 = ln  + ln ; db
2πε d a  2πε  2a 
   
λq1  −b − a2 /b b  λq2  −b + a2 /b b 
V2 = ln + ln .
2πε  −2b a  2πε  d a
we derive
1
p11 = p22 = ln (b/d(a/b − b/a)) = p
2πε
1
p12 = p21 = ln ((b/a + a/b)/2) = p0
2πε
2.2 Mutual Capacitances of a Screened Parallel-Wire Line 15

C 0
C n

0 .3 d = a = { 1 0 -3
; 2 ·1 0 -3
; 5 ·1 0 -3
; 1 0 -2
}

0 .2

d = a

0 .1
0 0 .2 0 .4 0 .6 0 .8 b = a
C
C n

-3 -3 -3 -2
d = a = { 1 0 ; 2 ·1 0 ; 5 ·1 0 ; 1 0 }
0 .0 8

0 .0 4

d = a
0
0 0 .2 0 .4 0 .6 0 .8 b = a

Fig. 2.2–1: Normalized mutual capacitances in dependence on b/a (Distance between

conductors 2b, radius of screen a, Cn = 2πε)
16 2 Electrostatic Fields

Fig. 2.2–2: Equipotential lines and electric lines of force for λq1 /λq2 = −2 (top) and
λq1 /λq2 = 2 (bottom)
2.3 Singular Points and Lines in the Field of Point Charges 17

and for the potentials we write

V1 = p0 λq1 + p λq2 ; V2 = p λq1 + p0 λq2 .

With the capacitance coefficients cik the equations for the charges read as
V1 p0 − V2 p
λq1 = c11 V1 + c12 V2 =
p20 − p2
V2 p0 − V1 p
λq2 = c21 V1 + c22 V2 = ,
p20 − p2

thus the capacitance coefficients are

p0 −p
c11 = c22 = = c0 ; c12 = c21 = = c.
p20 − p2 p20 − p2

Finally rewriting the equations of the the charges in terms of potential differences

λq1 = C0 V1 + C12 (V1 − V2 ) = (c11 + c12 )V1 − c12 (V1 − V2 )

λq2 = C0 V2 + C21 (V2 − V1 ) = (c21 + c22 )V2 − c21 (V2 − V1 )

leads to the mutual capacities per unit length

1 p
C0 = ; C12 = C21 = = C
p0 + p p20 − p2
2πε
C0 =   
2 2
ln b/(2d) (a/b) − (b/a)

2πε ln [1/2 (a/b + b/a)]

C = 2 2.
[ln ((a/b − b/a) b/d)] − [ln (1/2 (a/b + b/a))]

2.3 Singular Points and Lines in the Field of Point Charges

On a straight line in the space of permittivity ε the point charges Q1 and Q2 are placed
in front of the point charge Q with the distances r1 and r2 .
What are the values of the charges Q1 and Q2 , in order that a singular point (a singular
line) occurs at arbitrary distance rs from Q ?
The condition for the electric field is:
Q rs Q1 rs − r1 Q2 rs − r2
+ + = 0; |rs | = rs
4πε rs3 4πε |rs − r1 |3 4πε |rs − r2 |3
18 2 Electrostatic Fields

Fig. 2.3–1: Equipotential lines and electric lines of force of the three point charges,
|r2 | = 2|r1 |
top: Q1 /Q = −1/4; Q2 /Q = 1/2
bottom: Q1 /Q = 2; Q2 /Q = −2/3
2.4 Force on a Point Charge by the Field of a Space Charge 19

r s

r 2

r
Q 1
Q 1 Q 2

Building the vector and scalar product with rs brings out the equations

rs × r1 rs × r2

Q1 3
+ Q2 = 0
|rs − r1 | |rs − r2 |3

and
Q r2 − r1 rs r2 − r2rs
+ Q1 s 3
+ Q2 s = 0.
rs |rs − r1 | |rs − r2 |3
Hence we get the solution:
 
 rs − r1 3 3
|rs − r2 |3 r1
Q1 = −Q2
r2   = Q |rs − r1 | r2
; Q2 = Q .
r1  rs − r2  3
rs r1 − r2 rs3 r2 − r1

2.4 Force on a Point Charge by the Field of a Space Charge

A hollow spherical charge with an inner and outer radius of a and b is placed in front
of the conducting plane z = 0 with its center at z = c > b. The charge density is
[As/m3 ]. On the axis of rotation, normal to the conducting plane and through the
center of the sphere, a point charge Q is positioned at z = d with c − b < d < c − a.
The permittivity ε is constant.

What is the force on the point charge Q ?

If there is no conducting plane, then the force F1 = ez F1 on the charge Q is given by

4  3
1 1
F1 = Q E1 = −Q π (c − d) − a3
3 4πε (c − d)2
  3 
Q a
= − (c − d) 1 − .
3ε c−d

Thus the force on the charge Q caused by the hollow spherical charge density is equiv-
alent to that of the total charge within the radii c − d and a located in the center z = c.
The remaining charge between the radii b and c − d does not exert a force on the point
charge.
20 2 Electrostatic Fields

"

d c z
a

In the presence of the conducting plane additional image charges −Q at z = −d and

−4/3π(b3 − a3 ) at z = −c have to be regarded. This leads to the additional force
F2 = ez F2 .
 
Q 1 4 (b3 − a3 ) 1
F2 = −Q 2
+ π
4πε 4d 3 4πε (d + c)2
2 3 3
Q 1 Q b − a
= − 2
−
16πε d 3ε (d + c)2

Hence the total force on the charge Q is

F = ez (F1 + F2 ) .

2.5 Charge Density on a Conducting Cylinder in Front of a

Conducting Plane

A conducting cylinder of infinite length and with radius a is located in front of a

conducting plane at x = 0 with potential V = 0. The distance of the cylinder axis
parallel to the plane is b > a.

Calculate the maximum of the charge density on the cylinder, if it is on the potential
V0 . The permittivity is ε.

For x > 0 outside the cylinder the field is equivalently described by two line charges
±λq of infinite extension at positions (x = ±c; y = 0).
2.5 Charge Density on a Conducting Cylinder in Front of a Conducting Plane 21

y "

¾ m a x
V 0

x = -c x = c x = b

-¸ q ¸ q
x
a

V = 0

The potential at points (x ≥ 0, y) outside the cylinder is


λq (x − c)2 + y 2
V (x, y) = − ln  .
2πε (x + c)2 + y 2
Now the quantities λq and c are determined by evaluating the potential V0 on the
boundary of the cylinder, e.g. at the points (x = b − a; y = 0) and (x = b + a; y = 0).
   
b + a − c b − a − c

ln   
= ln  
b + a + c b − a + c
⇒ [b + (a − c)] [b − (a − c)] = [(a + c) + b] [(a + c) − b]

⇒ b2 − (a − c)2 = (a + c)2 − b2 ; c2 = b 2 − a2

Thus the charge density λq is given by

2πεV0
λq = − √ .
b + a − b 2 − a2
ln √
b + a + b 2 − a2
For the maximum value of σ at the point (x = b − a; y = 0) it follows
 
∂V  ∂V 
σ = −ε = ε
∂n x=b−a;y=0 ∂x x=b−a;y=0
 
x − c
V (x, y = 0) = −
λq
ln   = − λq ln c − x ; 0 ≤ x ≤ b − a
2πε x + c 2πε c + x
22 2 Electrostatic Fields

¾
" V 0
[ m1 ]
1 2 0 0
b { a = { 0 .3 3 3 ; 0 .5 ; 1 ; 2 } [c m ]
1 0 0 0

8 0 0
b { a
6 0 0

4 0 0

2 0 0

0
0 0 .2 0 .4 0 .6 0 .8 a = b 1

Fig. 2.5–1: Maximum value of σ in dependence on the cylinder radius a (the distance
b − a is constant)

  
∂V  λq 1 1 λq 2c
 = + =
∂x x=b−a;y=0 2πε c − x c + x x=b−a 2πε c − (b − a)2
2

√ √
λq b 2 − a2 λq b2 − a2 λq 1 + a/b
σ = = = .
π (b2 − a2 ) − (b − a)2 π 2a(b − a) 2πa 1 − a/b

2.6 Potential of Concentric Spheres

Two concentric and conducting spherical surfaces at r = a and r = b are on the

potentials V (r = a) = V1 and V (r = b) = V2 . The space a < r < b between the
spheres has the permittivity ε1 and the outer space r > b has the permittivity ε2 .

What is the total charge of the conducting surfaces? On what terms does the total
charge of the surface r = b vanish?

In r ≤ a the potential is constant and the electric field vanishes. Outside of the surface
r = b the potential is given in terms of the reciprocal distance 1/r (compare with the
potential of a point charge or an homogeneous spherical charge). For this reasons the
2.6 Potential of Concentric Spheres 23

V 2

V 1

" 1

b
" 2

ansatz for the potential is

⎧
⎪
⎪ V2 b/r ; r≥b
⎪
⎪
⎨
V (r) = C1 a/r + C2 ; a≤r≤b .
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎩ V ; r≤a
1

For the determination of the constants C1 and C2 the boundary conditions in r = a

and r = b have to be evaluated.

V (r = a) = V1 = C1 + C2 ; V (r = b) = V2 = C1 a/b + C2

V1 − V2 V1 − V2
C1 = ; C2 = V1 −
1 − a/b 1 − a/b
Thus the potential in a ≤ r ≤ b is given by

1 − a/r
V (r) = V1 − (V1 − V2 ) .
1 − a/b

In the following σ1 is the charge density on the sphere r = a. σ2i and σ2a are the inner
(r < b) and outer (r > b) charge densities on the conducting sphere r = b.

∂V 
σ1 = −ε1
∂r a≤r≤b,r→a
 
∂V  ∂V 
σ2i = ε1 ; σ2a = −ε2
∂r a≤r≤b,r→b ∂r r>b,r→b

C1 a V2
σ1 = ε1 ; σ2i = −ε1 C1 ; σ2a = ε2
a b2 b
24 2 Electrostatic Fields

The total charges are

a
Q1 = 4π a2 σ1 = 4π ε1 (V1 − V2 )
1 − a/b
 
ε1 /ε2 a/b
Q2 = 4π b2 (σ2i + σ2a ) = 4π ε2 b V2 − (V1 − V2 ) .
1 − a/b
The total charge Q2 vanishes on condition that
ε1 /ε2 a/b
V2 = V1
1 − a/b(1 − ε1 /ε2 )
= V1 a/b with ε1 = ε2 .

In this case the potential V2 relates to the value at points r = b, when only the sphere
r = a with potential V1 is specified (V (r) = V1 a/r for r ≥ a).

2.7 Dipole within a Dielectric Sphere

An electric dipole of moment M = ez M is positioned in the center of a dielectric sphere

of permittivity ε and radius a.
Calculate the potential and the field in the sphere r < a and in the outer space r > a
of permittivity ε0 . Which surface charge has to be brought onto the sphere r = a, in
order that the field outside the sphere vanishes?

z
#

" a

" 0

The dipole in homogeneous space of permittivity ε excites the potential

M r M cos ϑ
Ve (r) = = = Ve (r, ϑ) ; r = er r ;  = ez M .
M
4πε r 3 4πε r2
2.7 Dipole within a Dielectric Sphere 25

If the space r > a is of permittivity ε0 , then a solution of Laplace’s equation

 
∂2V 2 ∂V 1 1 ∂ ∂V
ΔV (r, ϑ) = + + sin ϑ =0
∂r2 r ∂r r2 sin ϑ ∂ϑ ∂ϑ
has to be added to the potential Ve in both spaces r < a and r > a respectively. With
the substitution u = cos ϑ we can write
 
∂ 2V 2 ∂V 1 ∂ 2 ∂V
ΔV (r, u) = + + 2 (1 − u ) = 0.
∂r2 r ∂r r ∂u ∂u

Solutions are the functions V (r, u) = R(r)Θ(u) with Rn (r) = {rn ; r−(n+1) } and
Θn (u) = {Pn (u) ; Qn (u)}; n = 0, 1, 2, 3, . . . . The functions Pn (u) and Qn (u) are the
Legendre polynomials.
As the exciting potential
   
M Pn (u)  M cos ϑ M a 2
Ve = = = cos ϑ
4πε r(n+1) n=1 4πε r2 4πεa2 r
is a solution for n = 1, the overall solution is given by
⎧ ⎫
M ⎨ (a/r)2 + C1 r/a ⎬ r≤a
V (r, ϑ) = cos ϑ ; .
4πεa2 ⎩ C2 (a/r)2 ⎭ r≥a

The constants C1 and C2 result from the boundary conditions for the potential and
the normal component of the electric flux density.
 
∂V  ∂V 
V (r, ϑ)| r>a = V (r, ϑ)| r<a ; ε0 = ε
r→a r→a ∂r  r>a ∂r  r<a
r→a r→a

1 + C1 = C2 ; C1 − 2 = −2 ε0 /ε C2
3 1 − ε0 /ε
C2 = ; C1 = 2
1 + 2 ε0 /ε 1 + 2ε0 /ε
 = −grad V .
For the electric field it follows with E

 = −er ∂V − eϑ ∂V = er Er + eϑ Eϑ

E
∂r r ∂ϑ
⎧ ⎫ ⎧ ⎫
M ⎨ 3
2(a/r) − C1 ⎬ M ⎨ (a/r) + C1 ⎬
3
Er = cos ϑ ; Eϑ = sin ϑ
4πεa ⎩ 2C2 (a/r)3
3 ⎭ 4πεa ⎩ C2 (a/r)3
3 ⎭

Thus the additional potential in r < a describes a homogeneous z-directed field.

M C1 M C1
3
[−er cos ϑ + eϑ sin ϑ] = −ez
4πεa 4πεa3
26 2 Electrostatic Fields

z = a

0 .5

0
0 0 .5 1 x = a

Fig. 2.7–1: Equipotential lines and electric lines of force for ε/ε0 = 10

A surface charge σ is to be placed on the sphere r = a, so that the field outside of r = a

vanishes. Therefore we have to superpose a potential in r < a, which is a continuous
extension of the potential
M
Vc = − C2 (a/r)2 cos ϑ ; r≥a
4πεa2
in the outer space. This is the potential
M
Vc (r, ϑ) = − C2 (r/a) cos ϑ ; r ≤ a.
4πεa2
Now the potential in r < a is
M " #
V (r, ϑ) = 2
(a/r)2 + C1 (r/a) − C2 (r/a) cos ϑ ; r≤a
4πεa
2.8 Potential of a Charge with Radially Dependent Density 27

and because of V (r = a, ϑ) = 0 and C1 − C2 = −1 it follows

M " #
V (r, ϑ) = (a/r)2 − (r/a) cos ϑ ; r ≤ a.
4πεa2
Finally the surface charge σ is
     
    ∂Vc  ∂Vc 
σ = n Dc  r>a − Dc  r<a = −ε0 +ε =
r→a r→a
∂r  r>a ∂r  r<a
r→a r→a

ε + 2ε0 M 3M
= − 3
C2 cos ϑ = − cos ϑ .
4πε a 4πa3

2.8 Potential of a Charge with Radially Dependent Density

Consider the following potential with spherical symmetry

exp(−αr)
V (r) = C .
r
α, C are positive constants.
What is the charge density according to the potential in homogeneous space of permit-
tivity ε ?
As the spheres r = const are equipotential surfaces, the direction of the electric field
is radial with

 dV exp(−αr)
E(r) = er E(r) = −er = er C(1 + αr) .
dr r2
The space charge density satisfies the Laplace–Poisson equation:

d2 V 2 dV
ΔV = + = − ; r>0
dr2 r dr ε
dV exp(−αr)
= −C (1 + αr)
dr r2
d2 V exp(−αr)
= −C [αr + (1 + αr) (−αr − 2)]
dr2 r3
exp(−αr)
− = C (αr)2
ε r3
exp(−αr)
(r) = −ε C (αr)2 ; r > 0.
r3
Obviously this solution is not complete, because the space charge is negative in r > 0
although the whole potential is positive.
28 2 Electrostatic Fields

The calculation of the charge Qk inside a sphere of radius rk and surface ak = 4πrk2
results in

Qk (rk ) = Ψe (rk ) =  da = 4πε r2 C (1 + αrk ) exp(−αrk )
D k
rk2
ak

Ψe (rk ) = 4πε C (1 + αrk ) exp(−αrk ).

Now the limit rk → 0 leads to

lim Qk (rk ) = 4πε C = Q0 .

rk →0

Apparently a point charge Q0 is located in the center of the coordinate system, which
is not included in the calculation of the Laplace operator defined for r > 0.

If the charge Qk is derived by means of the integral of the incomplete solution over
a sphere with radius r = rk and volume vk we get

 rk rk
2 2
Qk (rk ) = d v = 4π (r) r dr = −4πε C α r exp(−αr) dr
vk 0 0

 rk
r exp(−αr) 1 exp(−αr)
= −Q0 α2 +
−α α −α 0

Qk = Q0 [(1 + αrk ) exp(−αrk ) − 1] ; lim Qk (rk ) = 0.

rk →0

As the limit rk → 0 is zero in this case, the complete solution for the charge density
reads
exp(−αr)
(r) = Q0 δ(r) − ε C (αr)2 ,
r3
where the Dirac delta function is defined by

δ(r) = 0 with r > 0 and δ(r) dv = 1 .
v

Now the charge distribution satisfies

 
(r) dv = D da = Qk (rk ) = Q0 (1 + αrk ) exp(−αrk ) .
vk ak
2.9 Dielectric Sphere Exposed to the Field of an Axial Line Source 29

2.9 Dielectric Sphere Exposed to the Field of an

Axial Line Source

A sphere with radius r = a has the permittivity ε1 and is surrounded by material with
a permittivity ε2 . A homogeneous line charge of density λq0 is positioned on the z-axis
at points |zq | < c < a inside the sphere or bounded by the interval a < b < zq < d
outside the sphere.
Calculate the potential and the field for all points r ≥ 0 respectively.

¸ q

P
b
# r p

¸ q
" 2

a " 1

-c

Preconsideration: A z-dependent line charge λq (zq ) in the homogeneous space of

permittivity ε0 is defined on the interval |zq | < c on the z–axis. For the calculation
of the potential V (rp , ϑ) we first consider the field of a point charge Q at position zq .
The potential at points (rp , ϑ) is:
Q 1
V (rp , ϑ) = ; R2 = rp2 + zq2 − 2zq rp cos ϑ
4πε0 R(zq , rp , ϑ)
  2   − 12
1 1 rp rp
= 1+ −2 cos ϑ .
R zq zq zq
30 2 Electrostatic Fields

For  2  
 rp   
  + 2  rp cos ϑ < 1
 zq   zq 
the following expansion holds.
$   
2
1 1 1 rp rp
= 1− − 2 cos ϑ
R zq 2 zq zq
  2
2
1 3 rp rp
+ − 2 cos ϑ
2 4 zq zq
  3 ⎫
1 3 5 rp
2
rp ⎬
− − 2 cos ϑ + − . . .
2 4 6 zq zq ⎭

Rearranging in terms of (rp /zq ) leads to

$     2  
1 1 rp rp 1 3
= 1 + cos ϑ + − + cos2 ϑ +
R zq zq zq 2 2
 3    4   %
rp 3 5 rp
+ − cos ϑ + cos3 ϑ + ... + ... .
zq 2 2 zq

The expressions in squared brackets are called Legendre polynomials

P0 = 1,
P1 = cos ϑ ,
1
P2 = (3 cos2 ϑ − 1) ,
2
cos ϑ
P3 = (5 cos2 ϑ − 3) . . . .
2
They satisfy the orthogonality relation
⎧
+1 ⎨ 0 n = k
Pn (u)Pk (u)du = 2 .
⎩ n=k
−1 2n + 1
With the Legendre polynomials the reciprocal distance 1/R takes the form
⎧  n ⎫
⎪
⎪ 1 rp ⎪
⎪ rp ≤ zq
∞ ⎨⎪ ⎪
⎬
1 zq zq
=  n Pn (cos ϑ) ;
R ⎪ 1 ⎪
n=0 ⎪ ⎪
⎪ zq ⎪
⎩ ⎭ zq ≤ rp ,
rp rp
where an analog expansion for zq ≤ rp has been used.
2.9 Dielectric Sphere Exposed to the Field of an Axial Line Source 31

For the interpretation of the reciprocal distance we can employ a Taylor expansion
around the point zq = 0:
1 " 2 #−1/2
= rp + zq2 − 2rp zq cos ϑ = f (zq )
R 
 f (zq ) 

 
= f (0) + f (zq ) zq +  zq2 + . . . .
zq =0 2! 
zq =0

For cartesian coordinates applies:

1 " #−1/2 ∂ ∂
= x2p + yp2 + (zp − zq )2 → = −
R ∂zq ∂zp
 
∂ n f (zq , zp )  ∂ n 
 = (−1)n f (zq , zp ) ; zp = rp cos ϑ .
∂zqn ∂zpn
z q =0 z =0
q

Thus:
     
1 1 ∂ 1 zq2 ∂ 2 1 (−1) n ∂ n 1
= − zq + − ...+ zqn + ... .
R rp ∂zp rp 2! ∂zp2 rp n! ∂zpn rp

The comparison of the expansions leads to the fundamental relation

n  
Pn (cos ϑ) (−1) ∂ n 1
n+1 = n
.
rp n! ∂zp rp

This result can be used to express the potential of the line charge λq (zq ) with |zq | < c
in the following way:
c
1 λq (zq )
V (rp , ϑ) = dzq
4πε0 R(zq , rp , ϑ)
−c
c ∞  n
1 1  zq
rp > c : V (rp , ϑ) = Pn (cos ϑ) λq (zq )dzq .
4πε0 rp n=0 rp
−c & '( )
1
R(zq , rp , ϑ)

Now if we evaluate the integral for the first term of the series we get
c
1 1 Q 1
V0 (rp ) = λq (zq )dzq =
4πε0 rp 4πε rp
−c
c
with Q = λq (zq )dzq .
−c
32 2 Electrostatic Fields

This is the result for the potential V0 (rp ) of the total charge Q located at the center
of the coordinate system. The expression for n = 1 yields
c
1 zq m1 cos ϑ
V1 (rp , ϑ) = λq (zq )P1 (cos ϑ)dzq =
4πε0 rp2 4πε0 rp2
−c
c
with m1 = zq λ(zq ) dzq
−c

and describes the potential of a dipole moment m1 . The series terms with n ≥ 2 define
axial multipoles of higher order
c
mn = zqn λq (zq )dzq .
−c

Their potentials
mn Pn (cos ϑ)
Vn =
4πε0 rpn+1
are in total ∞

V = Vn
n=0
the potential of the line charge.
Example: Homogeneous line charge:

λq0 = Q/2c
c
Q Q cn+1 − (−c)n+1
mn = zqn dzq =
2c 2c n+1
−c

Qc2k
m2k+1 = 0; m2k = ; k = 0, 1, 2, . . .
⎧ 2k + 1
⎨ 0 k>0
lim m2k =
c→0 ⎩ Q k=0

The initial problems are now solved by means of the expansion of the reciprocal dis-
tance.

Charge within the Sphere

A homogeneous line charge λq0 of range |zq | < c < a is given in the domain r < a
inside the sphere.
2.9 Dielectric Sphere Exposed to the Field of an Axial Line Source 33

The exciting potential Ve (r, ϑ) of the line charge in homogeneous space of permittivity
ε1 is
∞
 ∞
mn Pn (cos ϑ)
Ve (r, ϑ) = Vn = ; r ≥ c.
n=0 n=0
4πε 1 rn+1

An analog expression holds for r ≤ c, but is not directly needed for the following
calculation.

c2k+1
m2k = 2λq0 ; m2k+1 = 0
2k + 1
∞
λq0  1  c 2k+1
Ve (r, ϑ) = P2k (cos ϑ) ; r≥c
2πε1 2k + 1 r
k=0

The resulting potential is:

V = Ve (r, ϑ) + Vs (r, ϑ) ; r ≥ c.

In r ≥ c applies with the constants Ak

⎡ ⎧  2k ⎫⎤
⎪
⎪
r ⎪
⎪ c≤r≤a
λq0
∞

1 ⎢ c  2k+1 ⎨ ⎬⎥
⎢ a ⎥
V = +A P
 2k+1 ⎪⎦ 2k (cos ϑ);
2k + 1 ⎣ r
k
2πε1 ⎪
⎪ ⎪
k=0 ⎩ a ⎭ r ≥ a.
r

This expression already satisfies the continuity of the potential in r = a. The constants
Ak are determined by evaluating the boundary condition for the normal component of
the electric flux density.
   
∂V  ∂V  

ε1  − ε = 0

∂r r>a r→a
2
∂r r<a

   
2k + 1  c 2k+2 1 ε2 2k + 1  c 2k+2 2k + 1
− + Ak 2k = − − Ak
c a a ε1 c a a

(2k + 1)(1 − ε2 /ε1 )  c 2k+1

⇒ Ak =
2k + ε2 /ε1 (2k + 1) a

In r > a the potential is independent of a. The limit case ε1 = ε2 provides directly the
sole exciting potential. For ε2 → ∞ it follows
 c 2k+1
Ak |ε2 →∞ = − ; c≤r≤a
a
34 2 Electrostatic Fields

 
∞
λq0  1  c 2k+1  c 2k+1  r 2k
V |ε2 →∞ = −
P2k (cos ϑ)
2πε1 2k + 1 r '( a ) &a
k=0

2k+1
a/r cr/a2
a
a
= Ve (r, ϑ) − Ve a2 /r, ϑ = Ve (r) − Ve (r(a/r)2 ) .
r r
The resulting potential is derived directly from the exciting potential (Law of potential
mirroring).

Charge outside the Sphere

A homogeneous line charge λq0 is positioned in front of the dielectric sphere of permit-
tivity ε1 on the z–axis with a < b < zq < d.
The exciting potential Ve (r, ϑ) of the line charge in a homogeneous space of permittivity
ε2 is
d
1 λq0
Ve (r, ϑ) = dzq ; R2 = r2 + zq2 − 2r zq cos ϑ
4πε2 R(zq , r, ϑ)
b
⎧  n ⎫
d  ⎪
⎪ 1 r ⎪
⎪
∞ ⎨ ⎬ r ≤ zq
λq0 zq zq
Ve (r, ϑ) =   P n (cos ϑ) dz q ; .
4πε2 ⎪
⎪ 1 zq n ⎪ ⎪
b n=0 ⎩ ⎭ r ≥ zq
r r
Because the position of the line charge has moved outside the center of the coordinate
system, we obtain three integrals.
∞ d
λq0  n
r≤b: Ve = r Pn (cos ϑ) zq−(n+1) dzq
4πε2 n=0
b
∞   n   
λq0  1 b r n
= 1− Pn (cos ϑ)
4πε2 n=0 n d b
⎡ ⎤
∞
 r d
λq0 ⎣r−(n+1)
b≤r≤d: Ve = zqn dzq + rn zq−(n+1) dzq ⎦ Pn (cos ϑ)
4πε2 n=0 b r
 
 n+1  
1  r n
∞

λq0 1 b
= 1− + 1− Pn (cos ϑ)
4πε2 n=0
n+1 r n d

∞  d
λq0  −(n+1)
r≥d: Ve = r zqn dzq Pn (cos ϑ)
4πε2 n=0
b
∞
  n+1   n+1
λq0  1 b d
= 1− Pn (cos ϑ)
4πε2 n=0 n + 1 d r
2.9 Dielectric Sphere Exposed to the Field of an Axial Line Source 35

z = a

-1

-1 0 1 x = a

Fig. 2.9–1: Electric lines of force for b/a = 1.2, d/a = 2.2, and ε1 /ε2 = 10

The resulting potential is in total

⎧ ⎫
λq0
∞
 ⎨ (r/a)n ⎬ r≤a
V (r, ϑ) = Ve + Vs = Ve + Bn Pn (cos ϑ); .
4πε2 ⎩ (a/r)n+1 ⎭ r≥a
n=0

As before, this expression already satisfies the continuity of the potential in r = a.

36 2 Electrostatic Fields

z = a

-1

-1 0 1 x = a

Fig. 2.9–2: Electric lines of force for b/a = 1.2, d/a = 2.2, and ε1 /ε2 = 0.5

The constants Bn follow from the boundary condition

   
∂V  ∂V  

ε1  − ε2 = 0
∂r r<a 
∂r r>a r→a

with the result

1 − ε1 /ε2  a n   n 
b
Bn = 1− .
1 + n(1 + ε1 /ε2 ) b d
2.10 Concentric Cylinders With Given Potential 37

Once again the limit case ε1 = ε2 brings out the exciting potential. For large ε1 we get
  n 
1  a n b
Bn |ε1 →∞ = − 1−
n b d

and
  n   
λq0  1  a n
∞
b a n+1
V |ε1 →∞ ; r≥a = Ve − 1− Pn (cos ϑ)
4πε2 n=0 n b d r
& '( )
 n   n 
1 a a2 /r b
1−
n r b d
a a
= Ve (r, ϑ) − Ve (a2 /r, ϑ) = Ve (r) − Ve (r(a/r)2 ) .
r r
Thus again the resulting potential is derived directly from the exciting potential.

2.10 Concentric Cylinders With Given Potential

Two concentric cylinders with radii = a and = b > a are on the potentials
V ( = a, z) = V0 sin(πz/h) and V ( = b, z) = V0 sin(2πz/h). The planes z = 0 and
z = h are equipotential surfaces V ( , z = 0) = 0 and V ( , z = h) = 0. The permittivity
ε is constant.
Calculate the potential V ( , z) in the domain (a ≤ ≤ b; 0 ≤ z ≤ h) and determine
the charge density σ( ) in the (conducting) plane z = 0 within a < < b.

z
V = 0 V 0 s in ( ¼ z = h )
h

V 0 s in ( 2 ¼ z = h )

"

a b %
V = 0

Because the specified potentials on the cylinders = const depend on the z-coordinate,
we have to choose orthogonal functions in this coordinate, e.g. trigonometric functions
38 2 Electrostatic Fields

z = h

0 .8

0 .6

0 .4

0 .2

0
1 1 .2 1 .4 1 .6 1 .8 % = h 2

Fig. 2.10–1: Equipotential lines and electric lines of force

sin(mz), for the solution of the Laplace equation ΔV ( , z) = 0. The dependence on

the coordinate is then given by the modified Bessel functions I0 (m ) and K0 (m ),
which are of order zero because of the rotational symmetry.

The given potential on the surfaces = a and = b requires the parameters m = π/h
and m = 2π/h.

With this parameters and the linear combination

Rn ( , η) = I0 (nπ /h) K0 (nπη/h) − K0 (nπ /h) I0 (nπη/h),

2.11 Method of Images For Conducting Spheres 39

that obeys the property Rn (η, η) = 0, the solution for the potential reads
 
R1 ( , b) R2 ( , a) a≤ ≤b
V ( , z) = V0 sin(πz/h) + sin(2πz/h) ;
R1 (a, b) R2 (b, a) 0 ≤ z ≤ h.

For the surface charge density σ( ) on the boundary z = 0 it follows

  
∂V  R1 ( , b) R2 ( , a)
σ( ) = −ε = −εV0 π/h +2 ; a < < b.
∂z z=0 R1 (a, b) R2 (b, a)

2.11 Method of Images For Conducting Spheres

The center of a spherical conducting surface of radius a and potential V0 lies in the
center of the coordinate system, where in addition a point charge Q is positioned.
Within the plane z = c > a a circular surface charge σ of radius b is centered around
the z-axis. The permittivity ε is constant.
Calculate the potential on the z-axis. What is the total charge of the sphere, when the
potential is V0 = 0?

z
2 b

c ¾

q
"
r q

"
r q( a = r q) 2

V 0

The fields inside and outside the conducting sphere are determined independently.
40 2 Electrostatic Fields

Inside the sphere |r| ≤ a the potential is the sum of a constant potential and the
potential of a point charge. As the potential on the surface |r| = a is V0 , the solution
is  
Q 1 1
V (r) = V0 + − ; r≤a
4πε r a
and on the z-axis applies
 
Q 1 1
V (z) = V0 + − ; |z| ≤ a .
4πε |z| a
For the determination of the potential outside the sphere the method of images for
conducting spheres is used. However, the mirrored surface charge is inhomogeneously
distributed on a curvilinear surface. Its contribution to the potential leads to a com-
plicated integration. A considerably easier approach is to derive this contribution by
evaluating the expression for the potential of the initial charge at mirrored observation
points. Thus no additional calculation is needed (cp. problem 2.9).
For example, if a point charge Q is located in front of a grounded sphere of radius a at
position rq with |rq | > a, then the resulting potential V (rp ) at points rp with |rp | ≥ a
is the sum of the potential Ve (rp ) of the charge Q in homogeneous space and of the
potential of the mirrored charge −Qa/|rq | at position rq (a/rq )2 .
We get the same result if the total potential V (rp ) is derived only by means of the
exciting potential.
a
V (rp ) = Ve (rp ) − Ve (rp (a/rp )2 ) ; |rp | > a
rp
This approach is even independent of the initial charge distribution, and hence it is
preferable, if the charge distribution does not comprise simple point charges. This is
actually the case.
In order to apply this approach for the determination of the potential on the rotational
z-axis of the surface charge in front of the conducting sphere, we first have to calculate
the exciting potential Ve (z) of the circular surface charge in the homogeneous space.

1 σ(rq )
Ve (z) = da =
4πε |rp − rq |
b 2π b
σ q dϕq d q σ q d q
= 0 = 0
4πε 2q + (z − c)2 2ε 2q + (z − c)2
q =0 ϕq =0 q =0

σ 0 2 b σ  2 

= q + (z − c)2  = b + (z − c)2 − |z − c|
2ε 0 2ε
2.12 Rectangular Cylinder with Given Potential 41

V
V 0

1 .7 5

1 .5
b = a
1 .2 5

0 .7 5

0 .5
b = a = { 0 .5 ; 1 ; 2 ; 3 }
0 .2 5

0
0 1 2 3 4 z = a 5

Fig. 2.11–1: Potential on the z-axis for Q = 10−12 [As], ε = ε0 , σ = 10−11 [As/m2 ],
and c/a = 3

Now with the presented method of images (for potentials) the resulting potential of
our problem is
a a
V (z) = Ve (z) − Ve (a2 /z) + V0 ; |z| ≥ a .
|z| |z|
The last term accounts for the given potential V0 on the surface of the sphere. This
term vanishes, i.e. V (a) = V0 = 0, if the additional total charge of Qz = −4πεaV0 is
brought onto the spherical surface.

2.12 Rectangular Cylinder with Given Potential

The potentials on the boundary of a cylinder with rectangular cross section are

V (x = 0, y) = V (x = a, y) = 0 ; V (y = 0, x) = V2 cos(πx/a)

V (y = b, x) = V1 sin(πx/a) .
42 2 Electrostatic Fields

Calculate the potential inside the cylinder (0 ≤ x ≤ a ; 0 ≤ y ≤ b). The potential is

independent of the z-coordinate and the permittivity ε is constant.

y
V 1 s in ( ¼ x = a )

V = 0
V = 0 "

a x
V 2 c o s(¼ x = a )

As the given potentials are functions of the x-coordinate, the solutions of Laplace’s
equation ΔV (x, y) = 0 require orthogonal functions for the description of the x-
dependency, accordingly trigonometric functions. Due to the homogeneous boundary
conditions in x = 0 and x = a the functions sin(mπx/a) have to be considered. In
consequence the dependency of the y-coordinate is given by hyperbolic or exponential
functions. With these functions a possible ansatz for the potential inside the rectangle
(0 ≤ x ≤ a; 0 ≤ y ≤ b) is
∞

V (x, y) = [Am sinh(mπy/a) + Bm cosh(mπy/a)] sin(mπx/a) .
m=1

It is useful to split the problem, because of the simple description of the boundary
values. For the first subproblem with solution VI only the boundary values at y = b
exist, whereas in the second subproblem with solution VII only the boundary values
at y = 0 are considered. All other boundaries have the potential V = 0, respectively.
The solution of the original problem is V = VI + VII .
The potential on the surface y = b suggests, that only the term with m = 1 is needed
in the summation above for the potential VI . With the requirement VI (x, y = 0) = 0
we get the solution
sinh(πy/a)
VI (x, y) = V1 sin(πx/a) .
sinh(πb/a)
Things are different for the second subproblem with solution VII . With the given
potential on the surface y = 0 the potential is discontinuous at x = 0 and x = a. As a
2.12 Rectangular Cylinder with Given Potential 43

y = a

1 .2

0 .8

0 .6

0 .4

0 .2

0
0 0 .2 0 .4 0 .6 0 .8 x = a 1

Fig. 2.12–1: Equipotential lines and electric lines of force for V1 = V2

consequence, the following complete approach has to be considered.

∞
 sinh(mπ(b − y)/a)
VII (x, y) = Cm sin(mπx/a) .
m=1
sinh(mπb/a)

Here the arguments of the hyperbolic functions have been adapted to satisfy the bound-
ary condition VII (x, y = b) = 0. The division by the hyperbolic function with constant
argument simplifies the evaluation of the boundary condition and thus leads to
∞

VII (x, y = 0) = Cm sin(mπx/a) = V2 cos(πx/a) .
m=1
44 2 Electrostatic Fields

Now, making use of the orthogonality relations for trigonometric functions by multi-
plication with sin(nπx/a) and integration from x = 0 to x = a results in

 a a
Cm sin(mπx/a) sin(nπx/a) dx = V2 cos(πx/a) sin(nπx/a) dx
m 0 0

 a
cos((n + 1)πx/a) cos((n − 1)πx/a)
Cn a/2 = −V2 +
2(n + 1)π/a 2(n − 1)π/a 0

a 4k
= V2 2
; n = 2k ; k = 1, 2, . . .
π 4k − 1
8 k
⇒ C2k = V2 .
π 4k 2 − 1
Finally the solution of the subproblem is
∞
8 k sinh(2kπ(b − y)/a)
VII (x, y) = V2 sin(2kπx/a)
π 4k 2 − 1 sinh(2kπb/a)
k=1

and the total solution is V (x, y) = VI (x, y) + VII (x, y) .

2.13 Potential of Hemispherical Charge Distributions

A sphere of radius a is intersected by the plane z = 0 running through its center. The
two hemispheres z > 0 and z < 0 carry the space charge densities ± . The permittivity
ε is constant.
Calculate the potential and the field on the z–axis. Simplify the expression for the field
for the case z  a and for z = 0.
The determination of the potential on the z-axis requires the solution of

1 (rq )
V (z) = dv ; V (−z) = −V (z) ; |ez z − rq | = r.
4πε |ez z − rq |

With the reciprocal distance (cp. problem 2.9)

⎧  n ⎫
⎪
⎪ 1 rq ⎪
⎪
∞ ⎪⎨ ⎪
⎬ |z| ≥ rq
1 |z| |z|
=  n Pn (cos ϑq ) ;
r ⎪ 1 |z| ⎪
n=0 ⎪
⎪ ⎪
⎪ |z| ≤ rq
⎩ ⎭
rq rq
2.13 Potential of Hemispherical Charge Distributions 45

"

+ %

- %
a

the potential for z > a becomes

a π/2 2π
  rq n
∞
1
V (z) = [Pn (cos ϑq ) +
4π ε z n=0 z
rq =0 ϑq =0 ϕq =0

− Pn (cos(π − ϑq ))] rq2 sin ϑq dϕq dϑq drq

∞ 1
1  1 an+3
= [Pn (u) − Pn (−u)] du ; u = cos ϑq .
2ε z n=0 z n n + 3
u=0

n Pn+1 − Pn−1
With Pn (−u) = (−1) Pn (u) and Pn (u)du = it follows
2n + 1
1
a2  1  a 2(k+1)
∞
P2k+2 − P2k 
V (z) = ; n = 2k + 1 .
2ε k+2 z 4k + 3 0
k=0

The Legendre polynomials take the values

1 · 3 · 5 . . . (2k − 1)
P2k (1) = 1 and P2k (0) = (−1)k
2 · 4 · 6 . . . 2k
1 2k+1
P2k+2 − P2k  2k+2 + 1 P2k (0)
⇒  = P2k (0) = ,
4k + 3 0 4k + 3 2(k + 1)
thus
∞
a 2  1  a 2(k+1)
V (z) = P2k (0) ; z > a ; V (−z) = −V (z) .
4ε (k + 1)(k + 2) z
k=0
46 2 Electrostatic Fields

The electric field becomes

a  1  a 2k+3
∞
∂V
Ez = − = P2k (0) ; z > a; E(z) = E(−z) .
∂z 2ε k+2 z
k=0

For points 0 < z < a the integration has to be split up because of the expansion of the
reciprocal distance 1/r.
⎡ ⎤
∞
 z   a  n
⎢ 1 rq n 1 z ⎥
V (z) = ⎣ rq2 drq + rq2 drq ⎦ ·
2ε n=0 z z rq rq
rq =0 z

1
· [Pn (u) − Pn (−u)] du
0
∞ 
    z 2k+1  P (0)
z2 a2 z 2 2k
= + −
2ε 2(k + 2) 2k − 1 a a (k + 1)
k=0
∞  
a 2  4k + 3  z 2  z 2k+1 P2k (0)
V (z) = −
2ε 2(k + 2) a a (k + 1)(2k − 1)
k=0

For the electric field the expression

∞   z 2k 
a  4k + 3 z P2k (0)
Ez = − − (2k + 1) ; 0<z<a
2ε k+2 a a (k + 1)(2k − 1)
k=0

holds, which is a continuous function for z → a, thus takes the value of Ez , that has
been derived from the potential in z > a.
The expression for the field simplifies for z → 0 to
a
Ez (z = 0) = − ,
2ε
because only the series term k = 0 contributes to the field. This result can also be
obtained by a direct integration for the point z = 0.

E = 1 r
3 dv = ez Ez ; r = −rq
4πε r

1 ez (−rq )
Ez = dv ; dv = rq2 sin ϑq drq dϑq dϕq
4πε rq3
⎡ 0 ⎤
a  1
⎣− u du + u du⎦ drq ;
= − u = cos ϑq
2ε
rq =0 −1 0

a
Ez = −
2ε
2.13 Potential of Hemispherical Charge Distributions 47

z = a

-1

-1 0 1 x = a

Fig. 2.13–1: Equipotential lines and electric lines of force inside and outside of the
charge distribution (In the charged area the flux inside a “flux tube” is
no longer constant like in the charge-free space, but decreases until the
electric field is zero.)

For great distances z  |a| it is possible to calculate the potential by means of the
positive and negative charge center. The (positive) charge center of the hemispherical
charge in z > 0 is (Q is the total charge):

 π/2 a
1 3
rqs = rq dv = ez rqs ; rqs = 3 ez rq rq2 drq sin ϑq dϑq
Q a
ϑq =0 rq =0
48 2 Electrostatic Fields

1
3 3
u = cos ϑq ; rqs = a udu = a.
4 8
0

6
Hence the distance of the the positive and negative charge center is s = 8a and for
points z  |a| the potential Vs is defined by the dipole moment

4 3 6 π
m
 = ez m ; m = Q·s = πa · a = a4 .
6 8 2
The potential on the z-axis is

a4
Vs = sign(z) ; |z|  a.
8ε z 2
This expression agrees with the series term k = 0 in the series expansion of V (z  a),
which is the dominant term for great distances.

2.14 Energy and Force inside a Partially Filled

Parallel-Plate Capacitor

A parallel-plate capacitor consists of two conducting plates on the surfaces y = 0 and

y = d in the domain 0 < x < b  d and 0 < z < b. Within the homogeneous space of
permittivity ε0 its capacitance is C0 . The capacitor has been charged to the voltage U0 ,
but is now disconnected from the source and a dielectric has been partially inserted,
so that a plane x = xp divides the areas of different materials.

Calculate the charge distributions on the plates. What is the force on the dielectric?

¾ 2 ¾ 1
d

" " b > > d

0

F x

x p b x
2.14 Energy and Force inside a Partially Filled Parallel-Plate Capacitor 49

Before the dielectric has been inserted the charge density on the plates is ±σ0 = ±D0 =
= ±ε0 E0 and the total charge is ±Q0 = ±σ0 b2 . The energy stored in the electric field
W0 is given by the integral of the energy density.

1 1 U2 1 b2
W0 = E0 D0 · b2 d = ε0 20 b2 d = U02 C0 ; C0 = ε0
2 2 d 2 d
After inserting the dielectric the electric flux density D is different in rooms of different
materials and therefore the associated charge density σ is also different. This is because
the electric field is continuous at the boundary x = xp , thus the electric field is identical
everywhere between the plates. Its value depends on the position of the dielectric and
therewith on the value xp . As the total charge on the plates remains the same, we get
the following result with two different charge densities σ1 and σ2 for the domains with
permittivities ε0 and ε.

σ1 (b − xp ) + σ2 xp = σ0 b ; E1 = E2 = E

ε0 ε E1 = ε0 ε E2 = ε D1 = ε σ1 = ε0 D2 = ε0 σ2

ε σ ε0
σ2 = σ1 ; σ1 = 0  = σ2 = D1
ε0 xp ε ε
1+ −1
b ε0

ε0 E0 ε
D1 = ε0 E =   = 0 D2
xp ε ε
1+ −1
b ε0

E
E = 0 
xp ε
1+ −1
b ε0
The limits xp = 0, b and ε = ε0 provide the correct results.

The stored energy is

1 1
W (xp ) = ε0 E 2 db(b − xp ) + ε E 2 dbxp
2 2
  
1 2 1 xp ε
= E db [ε0 (b − xp ) + εxp ] = ε0 E 2 db2 1 + −1
2 2 b ε0
W0
=  .
xp ε
1+ −1
b ε0
50 2 Electrostatic Fields

3
¾ 2= ¾ 0

F x = F 0
1

¾ 1= ¾ 0; W = W 0
0
0 0 .2 0 .4 0 .6 0 .8 1
x p= b

Fig. 2.14–1: Charges σ1,2 /σ0 and force Fx /F0 in dependence on the filling ratio xp /b
with ε/ε0 = 5 ; F0 = W0 /b

With this result and the relation F = −grad W the solution for the x–directed force
Fx acting on the dielectric becomes
 
ε
W0 /b −1
∂W ε0
Fx = − =   2 > 0 ; F0 = W0 /b.
∂xp xp ε
1+ −1
b ε0

The dielectric is pulled into the capacitor.

2.15 2D-Problem with Homogeneous Boundary

Conditions on Different Cartesian Coordinates

The drawing below shows the problem with a given potential V0 (x) on the boundary
y = 0 in dependence on the x-coordinate, whereas all other boundaries own the poten-
tial V = 0.
Calculate the potential inside the closed boundary.
2.15 2D-Problem with Homogeneous Boundary Conditions 51

y
V = 0
d

V = 0

V = 0
V = 0

0
0 b a x
V 0(x )

It is useful to split the computation area by the plane y = c, because of the given
potential in dependence on the x-coordinate and the homogeneous boundary values
V = 0 on x = (0; a) and x = (0; b). The potentials V1,2 in the domains 0 ≤ y ≤ c
and c ≤ y ≤ d satisfy Laplace’s equation ΔV1,2 = 0. The functions which satisfy
the homogeneous boundary conditions are trigonometric functions sin(p1,2,n x) with
p1n = nπ/a and p2n = nπ/b. For the y-coordinate the hyperbolic functions are chosen,
so that in the area c ≤ y ≤ d the potential V2 (x, y) at y = d vanishes and in the
area 0 ≤ y ≤ c the potential V1 (x, y) is a combination of two linear independent parts,
where the first has zeros at y = 0 and the second at y = c for b < x < a.
∞ 
 
sinh(p1n y) sinh(p1n (y − c))
V1 (x, y) = An + Bn sin(p1n x) ; 0≤y≤c
n=1
sinh(p1n c) sinh(p1n (−c))

∞
 sinh(p2n (y − d))
V2 (x, y) = Cn sin(p2n x) ; c≤y≤d
n=1
sinh(p2n (c − d))

On the surface y = 0 applies

∞

V1 (x, y = 0) = V0 (x) = Bn sin(p1n x)
n=1

a
2
Bn = V0 (x) sin(p1n x) dx .
a
0
52 2 Electrostatic Fields

The continuity of the potential in y = c leads to

⎧
⎨ 0 ; b≤x≤a
V1 (x, y = c) =
⎩
V2 (x, y = c) ; 0 ≤ x ≤ b
⎧
∞ ⎪
⎨ 0 ; b≤x≤a
An sin(p1n x) = 1
∞ .
⎪
⎩ Cn sin(p2n x) ; 0 ≤ x ≤ b
n=1
n=1

As the trigonometric functions sin(p1n x) form an orthogonal system of functions, mul-

tiplication with an associated function sin(p1m x) and integration over x = 0 to x = a
results in
∞ b
a
Am = Cn sin(p2n x) sin(p1m x)dx
2 n=1 0
& '( )
αnm

and therewith we get the following system of equations

∞
2 
Am = αnm Cn ; m = 1, 2, . . . .
a n=1

The continuity of the normal component of the flux density in y = c requires

 
∂V1  ∂V2 
= ; 0≤x<b
∂y y=c ∂y y=c

∞ 
 
Bn
⇒ An coth(p1n c) − p1n sin(p1n x) =
n=1
sinh(p1n c)
∞

= Cn p2n sin(p2n x) coth(p2n (c − d)) .
n=1

The trigonometric functions sin(p2n x) also form an orthogonal system of functions,

thus multiplication with an associated function sin(p2m x) and integration over x = 0
bis x = b results in
b
Cm p2m coth(p2m (c − d)) =
2
∞   b
Bn
= An coth (p1n c) − p1n · sin(p1n x) sin(p2m x)dx
n=1
sinh(p1n c)
0
& '( )
αmn
2.16 Method of Images for Dielectric Half-Spaces 53

∞  
2 Bn
Cm = p1n αmn An coth(p1n c) − .
mπ coth(p2m (c − d)) n=1 sinh(p1n c)

The potential and the field are determined, when both systems of equations are solved.

0
0 b a
x

Fig. 2.15–1: Equipotential lines and electric lines of force for b/a = 2/3, c/a = 1/3,
d/a = 2/3, and V0 = 1 [V]

2.16 Method of Images for Dielectric Half-Spaces

The plane z = 0 divides the space into two half-spaces z > 0 of permittivity ε1 and
z < 0 of permittivity ε2 . The point rq1 in z > 0 marks the position of a point charge
∗
Q1 and the point rq2 = rq1 − 2ez (rq1ez ) = rq1 in z < 0 marks a second point charge
Q2 .

Calculate the force acting on the charges.

54 2 Electrostatic Fields

Q 1
z P
r q 1
" e
1 r p z

" 2
r q 2

Q 2

If only the point charge Q1 in z > 0 is considered, then the method of images for
dielectric half-spaces yields the potential
⎧
⎪
⎪
1
−
k
z ≥ 0; k = (ε2 − ε1 )/(ε2 + ε1 )
Q1 ⎨ |rp − rq1 | |rp − rq1
∗ |;
V (rp ) =
4πε1 ⎪
⎪ 1−k ∗
⎩ ; z ≤ 0; rq1,2 = rq1,2 − 2ez (ez rq1,2 ).
|rp − rq1 |

Accordingly in the presence of the second point charge Q2 in the half-space z < 0 the
total solution for the potential is
 
Q1 1 k Q2 1+k
V (rp ) = − ∗ | + 4πε | ; z≥0
4πε1 |rp − rq1 | |rp − rq1 2 rp −
rq2 |
 
Q1 1−k Q2 1 k
V (rp ) = + + ∗ | ; z ≤ 0.
4πε1 |rp − rq1 | 4πε2 |rp − rq2 | |rp − rq2

We can proof the result for the case ε1 = ε2 = ε, thus k = 0, and get the expected
result
Q1 1 Q2 1
V (rp ) = + .
4πε |rp − rq1 | 4πε |rp − rq2 |
With ε2  ε1 , thus k → 1, we get
 
Q1 1 1
V (rp ) = − ∗ | ; z > 0; V = 0; z < 0.
4πε1 |rp − rq1 | |rp − rq1

This result agrees with the method of images for the conducting half-space. In the
same way with ε1  ε2 and k → −1 we get
 
Q2 1 1
V = 0 ; z > 0 ; V (rp ) = − ∗ | ; z < 0.
4πε2 |rp − rq2 | |rp − rq2
2.16 Method of Images for Dielectric Half-Spaces 55

z
z q 1

-2

-2 0 2
x = z q 1

Fig. 2.16–1: Equipotential lines and electric lines of force for Q1 /Q2 = −2,
ε1 /ε2 = 1/3, and zq2 = −zq1

The forces F1,2 = ez F1,2 acting on the charges Q1,2 are

ε1 ε2
−kQ1 + (1 + k)Q2 −kQ2 − (1 − k)Q1
Q1 ε2 Q2 ε1
F1 = ; F2 = .
4πε1 (z1 − z2 )2 4πε2 (z1 − z2 )2
56 2 Electrostatic Fields

z
z q 1

-2

-2 0 2
x = z q 1

Fig. 2.16–2: Equipotential lines and electric lines of force for Q1 /Q2 = 2,
ε1 /ε2 = 1/3, and zq2 = −zq1

2.17 Concentric Cylinders with Given Potentials

The cylinder of radius = b has the potential V1 . Within this cylinder a second
cylinder of radius = a < b has the potentials

V ( = a, 0 < ϕ < π) = V0 and V ( = a, π < ϕ < 2π) = −V0 .

Find the electric field in the whole space. The permittivity ε is constant.
2.17 Concentric Cylinders with Given Potentials 57

"

"
V 1
V 0
%
"
'

a
b

-V 0

The solution of Laplace’s equation ΔV ( , ϕ) = 0 is

⎧ 1 ∞
⎪
⎪ An ( /a)n sin(nϕ) ; ≤a
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ n=1
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎨ B + C ln( )/ ln(a)+
0 0
V ( , ϕ) = 1
∞ ; a≤ ≤b
⎪
⎪ [Bn ( /a)n + Cn (a/ )n ] sin(nϕ)
⎪
⎪ +
⎪
⎪ n=1
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎩
V1 ln( )/ ln(b) ; ≥ b.
Evaluating the boundary condition in = a leads to
⎧
∞
 ∞
 ⎨ V ; 0<ϕ<π
0
An sin(nϕ) = B0 + C0 + [Bn + Cn ] sin(nϕ) =
⎩ −V0 ; π < ϕ < 2π.
n=1 n=1

With the orthogonality relation for trigonometric functions we derive by multiplication

with sin(mϕ) and integration from ϕ = 0 to ϕ = 2π the equations

B0 + C0 = 0 ;

π
An π = (Bn + Cn )π = 2V0 sin(nϕ)dϕ =
0
2V0 4V0
= [1 − cos(nπ)] = ; n = 2k + 1 ; k = 0, 1, 2, . . .
n n
58 2 Electrostatic Fields

y = a

-1

-2
-2 -1 0 1 2
x = a

Fig. 2.17–1: Equipotential lines and electric lines of force for b/a = 2 and V1 /V0 = 0.5

4V0
⇒ An = = Bn + Cn ; n = 2k + 1 .
nπ
On the cylinder = b applies
∞
ln(b) 
B0 + C0 + [Bn (b/a)n + Cn (a/b)n ] sin(nϕ) = V1
ln(a) n=1

and hence

B0 + C0 ln(b)/ ln(a) = V1 ; Bn (b/a)n + Cn (a/b)n = 0 .

Finally the constants are

V1
B0 = ; C0 = −B0
1 − ln(b)/ ln(a)
2.18 Force on a Ring Charge inside a Conducting Cylinder 59

4V0
Bn = ; Cn = −Bn (b/a)2n .
nπ[1 − (b/a)2n ]

 is
The electric field E

 = −grad V = −e ∂V − eϕ ∂V = e E + eϕ Eϕ .

E
∂ ∂ϕ
⎧ 1 ∞
⎪
⎪ An n/ ( /a)n sin(nϕ) ; ≤a
⎪
⎪
⎨ k=0
1∞
E = − C0
n/ [Bn ( /a)n − Cn (a/ )n ] sin(nϕ) ; a≤ ≤b
⎪  ln(a) +
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎩
k=0
V1 /( ln(b)) ; ≥b
⎧ ⎧ ⎫
⎪
⎪ 1∞ ⎨ A ( /a)n ⎬ ; ≤a
⎪
⎨ n
− n/ cos(nϕ)
Eϕ = k=0 ⎩ Bn ( /a)n + Cn (a/ )n ⎭ ; a ≤ ≤ b,
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎩ 0; ; ≥b

with n = 2k + 1.

2.18 Force on a Ring Charge inside a Conducting Cylinder

A ring charge λq of radius b is concentrically located on the plane z = c > 0 inside a

conducting and grounded cylinder of infinite length and radius a. The domain z < 0
has the permittivity ε, whereas the domain z > 0 has the permittivity ε0 .
What is the force that acts on the ring charge?
In the limit ε = ε0 no force acts on the ring charge. For the calculation of the force
in case of ε = ε0 we need knowledge of the variation in the electric field, when the
permittivity in the area z < 0 changes from ε0 to ε. For this purpose we first calculate
the exciting potential of the ring charge within homogeneous permittivity.
The exciting potential VE of the ring charge is calculated under the assumption ε = ε0 .
With cylindrical coordinates the solution of Laplace’s equation ΔVE ( , z) = 0, z = c,
requires Bessel functions of order zero.
∞

VE ( , z) = Ar J0 (x0r /a) exp(−x0r |z − c|/a)
r=1

The ansatz with the zeros x0r of the Bessel functions satisfies the boundary condition
VE ( = a, z) = 0 and the exponential function describes the decay of the potential away
from the charge. It is useful to express the ring charge in terms of a surface charge
60 2 Electrostatic Fields

¸ q
c

V = 0
" 0
b

a %

"

σ( ) in the plane z = c, where the charge density is zero except for points on the ring
( = b; z = c). With the charge σ( ) the boundary condition for the z-component of
 in z = c leads to
the electric flux density D
   
   
ez D z>c − D z<c = σ( )
z→c z→c

 
∂V  ∂V 
 σ( )
⇔ −  z>c = ε0
∂z  z<c ∂z
z→c z→c

∞
2  1
⇒ x0r Ar J0 (x0r /a) = σ( ) .
a r=1 ε0

The Bessel functions J0 (x0r /a) belong to an orthogonal system of functions, thus
the multiplication with an orthogonal function J0 (x0s /a) and the weight function
results after integration from = 0 to = a in
a
2 1 1
x0s As a2 J12 (x0s ) = σ( ) J0 (x0s /a) d ,
a 2 ε0
0

where the orthogonality relation for Bessel functions has been applied. For the remain-
ing integral the integration interval restricts to the location of the ring charge = b ± δ
2.18 Force on a Ring Charge inside a Conducting Cylinder 61

and we get

b+δ
1
Ar = σ( ) J0 (x0r /a) d
ε0 x0r aJ12 (x0r )
b−δ

b+δ
J0 (x0r b/a)b
= σ( )d with δ→0
ε0 ax0r J12 (x0r )
b−δ
& '( )
λq

J0 (x0r b/a) 2πλq b Q

Ar = V0 ; V0 = = = E0 a .
x0r J12 (x0r ) 2πε0 a 2πε0 a
The result for the exciting potential is
∞
J0 (x0r b/a)
VE ( , z) = V0 J0 (x0r /a) exp(−x0r |z − c| /a) .
x J 2 (x0r )
r=1 0r 1

When the space z < 0 has the permittivity ε, then the variation in the field results
from the difference between the exciting potential and the resulting potential V ( , z).
∞
 J0 (x0r b/a)
V ( , z) = VE ( , z) + V0 Br J0 (x0r /a) exp(−x0r |z|/a)
r=1
x0r J12 (x0r )

The additional potential in this approach uses the solution for the exciting potential,
but applies different constants Br . The total approach already satisfies all boundary
conditions for the potential and also for the electric flux density in z = c. Finally
evaluating the continuity relation of the flux density in the boundary layer of different
permittivities z = 0 leads to the constants Br .
 
∂V  ∂V 
ε0 = ε
∂z  z>0 ∂z  z<0
z→0 z→0

⇔ ε0 [exp(−x0r c/a) − Br ] = ε [exp(−x0r c/a) + Br ]

ε − ε0
⇒ Br = −k exp(−x0r c/a) ; k =
ε + ε0

∞
J0 (x0r b/a)
V ( , z) = VE ( , z) − kV0 J0 (x0r /a)·
x J 2 (x0r )
r=1 0r 1
⎧
⎨ exp(−x z/a) ; z≥0
0r
· exp(−x0r c/a)
⎩ exp(x0r z/a) ; z≤0
62 2 Electrostatic Fields

0 b a

Fig. 2.18–1: Equipotential lines and electric lines of force for k = 0.9 and a = 2b = 4c

⎧
⎨ V ( , z) − kV ( , −z) ; z≥0
E E
⇒ V ( , z) =
⎩ (1 − k) VE ( , z) ; z≤0

This result agrees with the method of images for dielectric half spaces.

The force F on the ring charge acts in axial direction.


∂Vs 
F = ez F ; F = 2 π b λq Ez | z=c = −2 π b λq
=b ∂z  z=c
=b

with Vs = V ( , z) − VE ( , z)
2.19 Geometry with Circular Symmetry and Given Potentials on Parallel Planes 63

∞
 J 2 (x0r b/a)
0
⇒ F = −2 π b λq k V0 /a exp(−2x0r c/a)
r=1
J12 (x0r )
∞
 J 2 (x0r b/a)
0
= −k Q E0 exp(−2x0r c/a)
r=1
J12 (x0r )

With a constant total charge Q the limit b → 0 results in

 ∞

 exp(−2x0r c/a)
F = −k Q E0 .
b→0
Q = const r=1
J12 (x0r )

If in addition the limit case c → 0 is considered, we get an divergent series and thus
an unbounded force. Within a boundary layer of different permittivities only surface
charges can exist.

2.19 Geometry with Circular Symmetry and Given Potentials

on Parallel Planes

The potential V ( , z = ±a) = ±V0 is given. On the cylindrical surface = c between

the planes the potential is V ( = c, z) = 0 for |z| < a.

Find the potential V ( , z) in the domain ( ≥ c; |z| ≤ a).

a + V 0

V = 0

c %
"

-a -V 0

We consider a potential Vs ( , z) = V ( , z) − V0 z/a, which has to satisfy the boundary

conditions Vs ( , z = ±a) = 0 and Vs ( = c, z) = −V0 z/a.
64 2 Electrostatic Fields

Because the potential on = c depends on the z-coordinate, the solution of the differ-
ential equation ΔVs = 0 is
∞
 I0 (pn )
Vs ( , z) = An sin(pn z) .
n=1
I0 (pn c)

The boundary condition for the potential Vs at points z = ±a requires

sin(pn a) = 0 ; pn = nπ/a ; n = 1, 2, 3, . . .

and at = c
∞

−V0 z/a = An sin(pn z) .
n=1

With the orthogonality relation for trigonometric functions we get

a pn a
z V0
An a = −V0 sin(pn z) dz ; An = − x sin(x)dx
a (pn a)2
−a −pn a

2V0
An = (−1)n
pn a
and finally the resulting potential is
 ∞

z  n
(−1) I0 (pn )
V ( , z) = V0 +2 sin(pn z) .
a p a I0 (pn c)
n=1 n

2.20 Dielectric Cylinder with Variable Charge on its Surface

Within the space of permittivity ε0 the cylinder ≤ a is filled with material of per-
mittivity ε. On its surface = a a charge distribution depending on the ϕ-coordinate
is given. ⎧
⎨ σ |ϕ| < ϕ0
0
σ(ϕ) =
⎩ −σ0 ϕ0 < ϕ < 2π − ϕ0

Calculate the potential and the field in the whole space.

Here the solution of the Laplace equation ΔV = 0 in = a is
⎧ ⎫ ⎧ ⎫
⎨ 1 ⎬  ∞ ⎨ ( /a)n ⎬ ≤a
V ( , ϕ) = C0 + Cn cos(nϕ) ; .
⎩ ln / ln a ⎭ ⎩ (a/ )n ⎭ ≥a
n=1
2.20 Dielectric Cylinder with Variable Charge on its Surface 65

" 0

% ' = ' 0

"
'

¾ 0

a
' = -' 0

-¾ 0

This approach already satisfies the continuity relation of the potential on the cylindrical
surface = a.
The remaining constants follow from the boundary condition for the normal component
 on the cylindrical surface.
D of the electric flux density D

D | >a − D | <a = σ(ϕ)

→a →a

 
∂V  ∂V 
⇔ ε − ε0 = σ(ϕ)
∂  <a ∂  >a
→a →a

∞

C0 nCn
⇒ −ε0 + (ε + ε0 ) cos(nϕ) = σ(ϕ)
a ln a n=1 a

Integration over the coordinate ϕ from ϕ = 0 to ϕ = 2π leads do

2π
a ln a σ0 a ln a  ϕ0
C0 = − σ(ϕ) dϕ ; C0 = 1−2 .
2πε0 ε0 π
0

The constants Cn , n ≥ 1 are calculated by means of the orthogonality relation for

trigonometric functions.

2π
nCn σ0  ϕ0 2π−ϕ0

π(ε + ε0 ) = σ(ϕ) cos(nϕ)dϕ = sin(nϕ)|−ϕ 0
− sin(nϕ)| ϕ0
a n
0

4σ0 a sin(nϕ0 )
⇒ Cn =
π(ε + ε0 ) n2
66 2 Electrostatic Fields

y = a

-1

-1 0 1 x = a

Fig. 2.20–1: Electric lines of force and equipotential lines for ϕ0 = π/4 and ε/ε0 = 3/2

 = −grad V = −e ∂V − eϕ ∂V = e E + eϕ Eϕ is

The electric field E
∂ ∂ϕ
⎧ ⎫ ⎧ ⎫
⎨ ∞
0 n ⎬ ⎨ ( /a)n−1 ⎬ <a
E = − − Cn cos(nϕ) ;
⎩ C0 /( ln a) ⎭ a ⎩ −(a/ )n+1 ⎭ >a
n=1

⎧ ⎫
∞
n ⎨ ( /a)n−1 ⎬ <a
Eϕ = Cn sin(nϕ) ; .
a ⎩ (a/ )n+1 ⎭ >a
n=1
2.21 Potential and Field of Dipole Layers 67

2.21 Potential and Field of Dipole Layers

The sphere r = a carries an electric dipole layer of density m  = ±m r/r. In the area
0 ≤ ϑ < ϑ0 the sign of the radially directed dipoles is positive, whereas in the remaining
area ϑ0 < ϑ ≤ π the sign is negative. The absolute value m and the permittivity ε are
constant.
Calculate the potential and the field at points on the z-axis.

r m
r

# 0

"

a r q
q R
# 1
r m
r

The potential of a homogeneous dipole moment density in normal direction on the

surface aD is given by
 
m r m r m
V (rp ) = d
a D = n 3 daD = − Ω ; r = rp − rq ,
4πε r3 4πε r 4πε
aD aD

where Ω is the solid angle of the surface aD defined by


Ω = − n r/r3 daD .
aD

It relates to the surface area on the sphere with radius 1 and origin p, which results
from the projection of the boundary contour of the surface aD on the unit sphere.
68 2 Electrostatic Fields

This result shows, that the solid angle depends only on the boundary of the surface
aD and on the orientation of its normal n to the observation point p. Therefore the
potential of the dipole layer m r/r at r = a and 0 ≤ ϑ < ϑ0 on the z-axis in the interval
−∞ < z < a can also be calculated by means of the solid angle of a spherical calotte
with radius R, the same boundary contour like aD , and with an apex angle 2ϑ1 . In
this way the solid angle in z < a is
  
−z + a cos ϑ0
Ω = − n r/r3 daD = 2π(1 − cos ϑ1 ) = 2π 1 −
R
aD

2 2
R2 = (−z + a cos ϑ0 ) + (a sin ϑ0 ) = z 2 + a2 − 2az cos ϑ0
and the potential becomes
m
V (z) = − [1 + Z0 /R] ; z<a; Z0 = z − a cos ϑ0 .
2ε
For points z > a the orientation of the surface normal to the observation point changes,
thus the solid angel of the dipole layer with coordinates r = a and 0 ≤ ϑ < ϑ0 becomes

Ω = −2π [1 − Z0 /R] ; z>a

and the potential is

m
V = [1 − Z0 /R] = V0 [1 − Z0 /R] /2 ; z > a.
2ε
At the position of the dipole layer z = a the potential changes by
m  m m
V | z>a − V | z<a = − − = .
z→a z→a 2ε 2ε ε

The dipole layer on the spherical calotte r = a and ϑ0 < ϑ ≤ π with density −r/r m
analogously provides the potentials
m
V = − [1 + Z0 /R] = −V0 [1 + Z0 /R] /2 ; z < −a
2ε
and
m
V = [1 − Z0 /R] = V0 [1 − Z0 /R] /2 ; z > −a .
2ε
The superposition of the potentials gives the total potential
⎧
⎪
⎪
m ⎨ m/ε ; z>a
V (z) = − Z0 /R + 0 ; −a < z < a
ε ⎪
⎪
⎩
−m/ε ; z < −a .
2.21 Potential and Field of Dipole Layers 69

8
V 0 1
# 0

0 .7 5

0 .5

0 .2 5
# 0
0

-0 .2 5
# 0

-0 .5
# 0 = { n ¼ = 1 2 ; n = 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 }

-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
z = a

E z
E 0

# 0 = { n ¼ = 1 2 ; n = 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 }
3
# 0

0
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
z = a

Fig. 2.21–1: Potential V /V0 and field Ez /E0 on the z-axis

(V0 = m/ε; E0 = m/(aε))
70 2 Electrostatic Fields

Due to the rotational symmetry the electric field is z-directed and is derived by
 
 ∂V m ∂ Z0 V0
E = −grad V ; Ez (z) = − = ; E0 = ; z = ±a
∂z ε ∂z R a
    2 
m 1 2 1 a Z0
Ez = − (z − a cos ϑ0 ) = E0 1− ; z = ±a .
ε R R3 R R

2.22 Sphere with Given Potential

The area 0 ≤ ϑ < ϑ0 of the spherical conducting surface r = a has the potential V0 ,
whereas the remaining part ϑ0 < ϑ ≤ π, isolated from the first one, has the Potential
−V0 . The permittivity ε is constant.
Calculate the potential in the whole space and the charge density on the subarea
(r = a; 0 ≤ ϑ < ϑ0 ).

V 0

# r

# 0

"

-V 0

Because of the rotational symmetry with ∂V /∂ϕ = 0 the solution functions of Laplace’s
equation ΔV (r, ϑ, ϕ) = 0 using spherical coordinates (r, ϑ, ϕ) are
⎧ ⎫
∞ ⎨ (r/a)n ⎬ r≤a
V (r, ϑ) = An Pn (cos ϑ) ; .
⎩ (a/r)n+1 ⎭ r≥a
n=0

Since the rotation axis is part of the computation domain the functions Qn (cos ϑ) can
be dropped.
2.22 Sphere with Given Potential 71

With the substitution u = cos ϑ, u0 = cos ϑ0 , and the orthogonality relation for the
Legendre polynomials Pn (u) it follows
⎡ ⎤
∞
 1 1 u0
An Pn (u)Pk (u)du = V0 ⎣ Pk (u)du − Pk (u)du⎦
n=0 −1 u0 −1

⎧
2 ⎨ −2u0 ; k=0
Ak = V0 1 u0
2k + 1 ⎩ Pk+1 − Pk−1  − Pk+1 − Pk−1  ; k>0
2k + 1 u0 2k + 1 −1

A0 = −u0 V0

"
An = V0 /2 Pn+1 (1) − Pn−1 (1) + Pn+1 (−1) − Pn−1 (−1)
#
− Pn+1 (u0 ) + Pn−1 (u0 ) − Pn+1 (u0 ) + Pn−1 (u0 ) ; n>0

with Pn (+1) = 1 ; Pn (−1) = (−1)n

⇒ An = V0 [Pn−1 (u0 ) − Pn+1 (u0 )] ; n > 0.

Therewith the potential is well-defined.

The inner and outer charge densities on the surface (r = a, u0 < u < 1) follow from
the normal component of the electric flux density.
   
 ∂V 
 
σi = −er D =ε
∂V   
σa = er D >a = −ε
<a
∂r  <a ; ∂r  >a
→a →a
→a →a

∞ ∞
ε εV0 
σi = An nPn (u) = n [Pn−1 (u0 ) − Pn+1 (u0 )] Pn (u)
a n=0 a n=0

∞ ∞
ε εV0 
σa = An (n + 1)Pn (u) = (n + 1) [Pn−1 (u0 ) − Pn+1 (u0 )] Pn (u)
a n=0 a n=0

The formal calculation of the total charge leads to a non-convergent series, because of
the singularity of the electric field at the discontinuity of the potential.
72 2 Electrostatic Fields

z = a

-1

-2 -1 0 1 2 x = a

Fig. 2.22–1: Equipotential lines and electric lines of force for ϑ0 = π/6

2.23 Plane with Given Potential in Free Space

The given potential on the plane y = 0 depends only on the x-coordinate.

⎧
⎨ V ; |x| < a
0
V (x, y = 0) =
⎩ 0 ; |x| > a

What is the potential in the whole space of permittivity ε?

2.23 Plane with Given Potential in Free Space 73

"

V 0

-a a x

The potential satisfies the Laplace equation

∂2V ∂2V ∂V
ΔV = 2
+ = 0; y = 0 ; = 0.
∂x ∂y 2 ∂z
Because of the symmetry of the given potential V (x, y) = V (−x, y) the following
approach holds
∞
V (x, y) = C(p) cos(px) exp(−p|y|) dp
0

with the spectral function C(p).

The function of the given potential in y = 0 is expressible in terms of the Fourier
integral ⎧
∞ ⎨ V ; |x| < a
0
2V0 /π 1/p sin(pa) cos(px) dp = .
⎩ 0 ; |x| > a
0

Hence the spectral function becomes

2V0
C(p) = sin(pa)
pπ
and with the potential
∞
V (x, y) = 2V0 /π 1/p sin(pa) cos(px) exp(−p|y|)dp
0

the electric field is given by

∞
 = −grad V = 2V0 /π
E sin(pa) [ex sin(px) + ey cos(px) sign (y)] exp(−p|y|) dp .
0
74 2 Electrostatic Fields

1 0
¾
¾ 0
8

0
-0 .8 -0 .4 0 0 .4 0 .8
x = a

Fig. 2.23–1: Charge density for the interval |x| < 0.9 a

In this special case the expressions for the integrals are known and it follows
V0
V (x, y) = [arctan((a − x)/|y|) + arctan((a + x)/|y|)] .
π
From this result the charge density σ(x) can easily be deduced.
⎛ ⎞
   
∂V  ∂V  V0 1 1
σ(x) = ε ⎝  −  ⎠ = 2ε +
∂y  y→0
y<0
∂y  y→0
y>0
π a−x a+x
x=±a x=±a

2σ0 2εV0
= ; σ0 =
1 − (x/a)2 πa

The integral for the determination of the total charge per unit length l
a
Q/l = σ(x)dx
−a

is unbounded. This is caused by the jump of the potential in x = ±a.

2.24 Charge on a Plane between two Dielectrics 75

2.24 Charge on a Plane between two Dielectrics

A cylindrical surface charge of density σ = Q/(πa2 ) is located in the plane z = 0 at

points ≤ a. This plane separates the half-spaces z > 0 with permittivity ε0 and z < 0
with permittivity ε.
Calculate the potential and the field on the z-axis, which is an axis of symmetry.
Furthermore analyze the limit case a → 0 (point charge Q in ( = 0 ; z = 0)).

" 0

a %
"

If the surface charge is located in a plane z = c > 0, then the calculation of the
potential could be done by means of the method of images. In this case an additional
image charge −kσ with k = (ε − ε0 )/(ε + ε0 ) in the plane z = −c must be considered
to determine the potential in z ≥ 0, whereas the permittivity is ε0 in both half-spaces.
The potential for points z < 0 results from a surface charge (1 − k)σ in z = c. For the
present problem the limit case c → 0 holds, thus a surface charge (1 − k)σ in z = 0 is
the substitute in space of homogeneous permittivity ε0 .
Hence the potential on the z-axis is
2
 2π a z +a2
1 (1 − k)σ (1 − k)Q d dϕ (1 − k)Q dζ
V (z) = daS =  = √
4πε0 r 4π 2 ε0 a2 2
z + 2 2πε0 a2 2 ζ
aS ϕ=0 =0 ζ=z 2

(1 − k)Q  2
2 − |z| .
V (z) = z + a
2πε0 a2
The electric field results from
 = −grad V = ez Ez + e E ;
E  = 0, z) = ez Ez = −ez ∂V
E(
∂z
76 2 Electrostatic Fields

and becomes
⎡ ⎧ ⎫⎤
∂V (1 − k)Q ⎣ z ⎨ −1 ⎬ z>0
Ez = − = − √ + ⎦;
∂z 2πε0 a2 z 2 + a2 ⎩ +1 ⎭ z<0
⎡ ⎧ ⎫⎤
σ ⎣ z ⎨ −1 ⎬ z>0
= − √ + ⎦; .
ε + ε0 z 2 + a2 ⎩ +1 ⎭ z<0

The electric flux density D  satisfies the condition

     
 ∂V 
 
ez D −  
D = σ = ε
∂V  − ε
z>0 z<0
∂z  z<0 0
∂z  z>0
z→0 z→0
z→0 z→0

at points < a on the surface charge in z = 0. It follows

 
(1 − k)Q Q ε − ε0 Q
(ε + ε 0 ) = 1 − (ε + ε0 ) = = σ.
2πε0 a2 2πε0 a2 ε + ε0 πa2
In the limit a → 0 with Q = const the force acting on the point charge is infinite.
Thus in the boundary layer between two dielectrics only surface charges can exist.

2.25 Force on a Point Charge by the Field of a Ring Charge in

front of a Conducting Sphere

A conducting sphere with radius a and potential V0 is concentrically surrounded by a

ring charge λq in the plane z = 0 with radius b > a. At a distance c > a from the
center of the sphere a point charge Q is located on the z-axis. The permittivity ε is
constant.
What is the potential of the sphere, when there is no force acting on the point charge?
What is the total charge of the conducting sphere?
For the calculation of the force we need knowledge of the electric field in the outside
of the sphere, that can be obtained by means of the method of images for conducting
spheres with given potential or with given charge. In this case with given potential
we consider a point charge 4π ε a V0 in the center ( = 0 ; z = 0). Additionally we
need image charges of the point charge, −(a/c) Q at position z = a2 /c, and of the ring
charge λq , which is a line charge −b/aλq on a circle of radius = a2 /b in z = 0.
The ring charge λq on the circle = b in z = 0 excites the following potential on the
z-axis 
1 λq 1 2πb λq b
V1 = ds = λq √ = √
4πε r 4πε 2
z +b 2 2ε z + b2
2
s
2.25 Force on a Point Charge by the Field of a Ring Charge 77

Q c

" V 0

"
¸ q

%
% = b

and the electric field becomes

 1 ( = 0, z) = ez E1 (z) = −ez ∂V1 ;
E E1 (z) =
λq bz
.
∂z 2ε [z 2 + b2 ]3/2
In the same way we get for the image charge −b/aλq
−λq b/a a2 /bz λq az
E2 (z) = 2 2 2 3/2
= − .
2ε [z + (a /b) ] 2ε [z + (a2 /b)2 ]3/2
2

The charge −Qa/c at position z = a2 /c contributes to the field with

−Qa/c 1
E3 (z) =
4πε (z − a2 /c)2
and the point charge 4π ε a V0 in ( = 0 ; z = 0) contributes with E4 (z) = V0 a/z 2 .
Thus, the total force F = ez F acting on the point charge Q in z = c is
   
λq c b a Qa/c 1 2
F = Q − 2 − + V0 a/c .
2ε [c2 + b2 ]3/2 [c + (a2 /b)2 ]3/2 4πε (c − a2 /c)2

The force is zero, if the potential takes the value

 
Q c λq c3 b/a 1
V0 = − − 2 .
4πε (c − a2 /c)2 2ε [c2 + b2 ]3/2 [c + (a2 /b)2 ]3/2

The total charge of the sphere is

QK = 4πε a V0 − Q a/c − 2πa λq .

78 2 Electrostatic Fields

2.26 Boundary Field of a Parallel-Plate Capacitor

Two conducting plates at surfaces (y = ±a ; x < 0) and with potentials ±V0 build a
parallel-plate capacitor.

Calculate the electric field close to the edges of the plates.

y
a

"
x

-a

For the calculation of the field one can make use of a conformal transformation in form
of a Schwarz-Christoffel-Mapping. As the plane y = 0 is a symmetry plane with the
potential V = 0, it is sufficient to map the half-space y ≥ 0 with complex coordinates
z = x + jy to the half-space u ≥ 0 with coordinates w = u + jv. Furthermore the
plates of the capacitor are assumed to be of infinite length in negative x-direction.

The drawing below shows the position of three corresponding points in the z- and
w-plane.

j y j v

3
3
1
ja
2 1 2
x u 1 = -1 u 2 = 0 u

If one mapping point in the w-plane is at infinity, then the general mapping function
for a polygon with n-edges and interior angles αλ is

 n−1
6
z(w) = C 1 (w − uλ )−αλ dw + C 2 .
λ=1
2.26 Boundary Field of a Parallel-Plate Capacitor 79

Thus for the given problem the mapping function becomes


z(w) = C 1 (w + 1)1 w−1 dw + C 2 = C 1 [w + ln(w)] + C 2 ,

where the two arbitrary real numbers u1 and u2 have been set to u1 = −1 and u2 = 0.
For the determination of the constants C 1 and C 2 the correspondence of the first point
yields
z(w = −1) = ja = C 1 [−1 + ln(−1)] + C 2 = C 1 [jπ − 1] + C 2 .

As it is at infinity in the z-plane, the correspondence of the second point requires an

integration over the related paths. In the w-plane this path is a half circle around
w = 0 with radius → 0 and in the z-plane the integration is done from ja − c to −c
with c → ∞.
−c 0
w+1
dz = C 1 dw ; w = exp(jϕ) ; dw = exp(jϕ) jdϕ
w
ja−c ϕ=π

0 
1 + exp(jϕ) 
−ja = C 1 exp(jϕ) jdϕ = C 1 (−jπ)
exp(jϕ) →0
ϕ=π

a
C 1 = C 2 = a/π ; z(w) = [1 + w + ln(w)]
π
With this, the mapping function is known. The contour in the z-plane is mapped onto
the real axis in the w-plane with the potential V = V0 in u < 0 and the potential V = 0
in u > 0. These potentials excite a field with rotational symmetry in the w-plane and
thus with equipotential surfaces arg(w) = const . This potential is that of a virtual
line source λq in w = 0, but multiplied with j to swap the real and imaginary part of
the complex potential

λq λq ϕ
P e (w) = −j ln(w) with V (u, v) = Re{P e (w)} = .
2πε ε 2π
Now with V (u > 0, v = 0) = 0 and V (u < 0, v = 0) = V0 it follows

V0
P e (w) = −j ln(w) .
π
The inverse transformation of the complex potential P e (w(z)) = P e (z) has to be done
numerically. Like in many other cases the analytic expression of the inverse function
of w(z) is not known.
80 2 Electrostatic Fields

y = a

0
-1 0 1 x = a 2

Fig. 2.26–1: Equipotential lines and electric lines of force

The complex electric field E(z) = Ex (x, y) + j Ey (x, y) is derived from the potential by
 ∗  ∗  ∗
dP e dP e dw dP e (w) 1
E(z) = − = − = −
dz dw dz dw (dz/dw)∗
 ∗
V0 1 1 V0 1
= − −j = −j = Ex + j Ey .
π w a/π(1 + 1/w∗ ) a 1 + w∗ (z)
3. Stationary Current Distributions

3.1 Current Radially Impressed in a Conducting Cylinder

The radial component of the electric field E on the surface of a cylinder ≤ a with
conductivity κ is given by
⎧
⎨ cos(kϕ) ; |ϕ| < π/3
E ( = a) = E0 .
⎩ 0 ; π/3 ≤ ϕ ≤ 5π/3

For which values of k is this problem well-defined? Calculate the current distribution
inside the cylinder ≤ a and the dissipated power per unit length.

' = ¼ = 3

%
E % (' )

'
k

k = 0 ' = -¼ = 3

 r ) = κE
The stationary current density J(  = −κ grad V can be described by a potential
V (r) with ΔV = 0. On the surface of the conducting cylinder the normal derivative
∂V /∂n of the potential is given. As the cylinder is free of sources, the normal derivative
must fulfill
2π  2π  π/3
∂V  ∂V 

 adϕ = 0 =  adϕ = −E0 cos(kϕ) a dϕ = 0.
∂n =a ∂ =a
ϕ=0 0 ϕ=−π/3

This condition holds for k = 3p with p = 1, 2, 3, . . ..

The approach for the potential is
∞

V ( , ϕ) = A0 + An ( /a)n cos(nϕ) ; ≤ a,
n=1

G.Mrozynski, M.Stallein, Electromagnetic Field Theory, DOI 10.1007/978-3-8348-2178-2_3,

© Springer Vieweg | Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden 2013
82 3 Stationary Current Distributions

Fig. 3.1–1: Current streamlines for k = 3

which has to satisfy the boundary condition

⎧
 ∞ ⎨ cos(3pϕ) ; |ϕ| < π/3
∂V  
E |=a =− =− nAn /a cos(nϕ) = E0 .
∂ =a n=1
⎩ 0 ; π/3 ≤ ϕ ≤ 5π/3

Making use of the orthogonality relation for trigonometric functions by multiplication

with cos(mϕ) and integration leads to

π/3
−mπ Am /a = E0 cos(3pϕ) cos(mϕ)dϕ
−π/3

⎧
⎪
aE0 ⎨ π/3 ; n = 3p
An = − .
nπ ⎩⎪ sin((3p − n)π/3) sin((3p + n)π/3)
3p − n + 3p + n ; n = 3p

The constant A0 remains unknown for boundary value problems of this kind.
3.2 Current Distribution around a Hollow Sphere 83

The current density is

∞

κ
J = − nAn ( /a)n−1 (e cos(nϕ) − eϕ sin(nϕ))
a n=1

and the dissipated power in the cylinder per length l is


Pv /l = J E
 dv/l =
v
a 2π
1  κ 2  2 2
∞
= n An 2n−2
( /a) d (cos2 (nϕ) + sin2 (nϕ))dϕ
κ a n=1
=0 ϕ=0
∞

= κπ nA2n .
n=1

3.2 Current Distribution around a Hollow Sphere

Consider a homogeneous conducting space with conductivity κ. The initial current

density J0 = −ez J0 is either homogeneous. How does the current distribution change,
if a spherical region of radius a is excluded and filled with non-conducting material of
permittivity ε0 .

Calculate the potential and the electric field inside and outside the sphere. What is
the charge density on the surface of the sphere?

The initial homogeneous current density

∂V0
J0 = −ez J0 = −ez κ E0 = −κ grad V0 = −ez κ
∂z
is described by the potential V0 = E0 z = E0 r cos ϑ.

The potential of the current problem with a non-conducting sphere

V = V0 + Vs with Δ Vs = 0

is then given by
⎧
⎪ 1
∞
⎪
⎨ V0 + An (a/r)
n+1
Pn (cos ϑ) ; r ≥ a
n=0
V = 1
∞ .
⎪
⎪ n
⎩ Bn (r/a) Pn (cos ϑ) ; r≤a
n=0
84 3 Stationary Current Distributions

J 0 = -e zJ 0

k = 0 , " 0

As the potential of the initial field only includes the Legendre polynomial P1 = cos ϑ
r
V0 = E0 a P1 (cos ϑ),
a
we can leave out all other polynomials in our solution, thus:
⎧
⎨ V0 + A (a/r)2 cos ϑ ; r ≥ a
V (r, ϑ) = .
⎩
B r/a cos ϑ ; r≤a

At the boundary to the non-conducting sphere the current streamlines are tangential.
Thus the normal derivative of the potential vanishes at r = a.

∂V  a E0
 = (E0 − 2A/a) cos ϑ = 0 → A = ,
∂r r>a,r→a 2

The potential itself is continuous.

3
E0 a + A = B ; B = a E0
2
Now the result for the potential is
⎧ ⎫
⎨ r/a + 1/2 (a/r)2 ⎬ r≥a
V (r, ϑ) = a E0 cos ϑ ;
⎩ 3/2 r/a ⎭
r ≤ a.
3.2 Current Distribution around a Hollow Sphere 85

z = a

-1

-2
-2 -1 0 1 x = a 2

Fig. 3.2–1: Current streamlines

Inside the sphere r < a the electric field becomes

 = −grad V | ∂ 3 3
E r<a = −ez E0 (r cos ϑ) = −ez E0 .
∂z 2 2
Thus in r < a the electric field remains homogeneous.
The charge density at r = a results from the normal derivative of the potential V |r<a
 
∂V  ∂V  3
σ = −ε0 = ε = ε0 E0 cos ϑ .
∂n r=a ∂r r=a
0
2
Finally the current density J = −κ grad V in r > a is
" #
J = −κ E0 (er cos ϑ − eϑ sin ϑ) − (a/r)3 (er cos ϑ + 1/2eϑ sin ϑ)
" #
= −J0 ez − (a/r)3 (er cos ϑ + 1/2eϑ sin ϑ) .
86 3 Stationary Current Distributions

3.3 Current Distribution inside a Rectangular Cylinder

A rectangular cylinder with cross section a · b and conductivity κ is connected to

perfectly conducting electrodes of width 2s  b < a at the top and the bottom. The
total current flow per axial length is I/l and the field is assumed to be independent of
the z-coordinate.

Calculate the current distribution, the power loss Pv /l, and the resistance
R/l = Pv /(lI 2 ).

I = l
y
k ® ¥

2 s

d
c a x
2 s

k ® ¥

I = l

On the boundary of the cylinder the normal derivation of the potential ∂V /∂n = 0
vanishes, except for the range of the conducting electrodes, where the potential is
constant because of the perfect conductivity. Hence the problem is a mixed boundary
value problem. However, as 2s  b we can assume, that the normal derivative of
the potential at the ends of the electrodes is constant. The normal component of the
current density on the boundary y = b becomes

I/l ∂V ∂V ∂V  I/l
Jn = = −κ = −κ ;  = − ; |x − c| < s
2s ∂n ∂y ∂y y=b 2κs
3.3 Current Distribution inside a Rectangular Cylinder 87

and on y = 0

I/l ∂V ∂V ∂V  I/l
Jn = − = −κ = κ ; = − ; |x − d| < s .
2s ∂n ∂y ∂y y=0 2κs

The boundary conditions for the normal derivative of the potential on x = 0 and x = b
are homogeneous. This is not the case for the planes y = 0 and y = b. As with
 = 0 ; div J = 0, and J = κE
rot E  the potential V is a solution of ΔV = 0, a practical
approach for the current problem is
∞
cos(nπx/a) " #
V (x, y) = A0 + B0 y + An cosh(nπy/a) + Bn cosh(nπ(y − b)/a) .
n=1
sinh(nπb/a)

The homogeneous boundary conditions ∂V /∂x|x=0,a = 0 are already satisfied and for
the normal derivative ∂V /∂y in y = b it follows
⎧
 ∞ ⎨ −I/(2κsl) ; |x − c| < s
∂V 
= B + cos(nπx/a) (nπ/a) A =
∂y y=b
0 n
⎩ 0 ; |x − c| ≥ s.
n=1

Making use of the orthogonality of the trigonometric functions results after multipli-
cation with cos(mπx/a) and integration in


c+s
I/l I/l
B0 a = − 2s ; Am (mπ/a) a/2 = − cos(mπx/a)dx
2κs 2κs
c−s

I/l 2I/l sin(nπs/a)

B0 = − ; An = − cos(nπc/a) .
κa κnπ nπs/a
Doing the same for the boundary y = 0 leads to
⎧
 ∞ ⎨ −I/(2κsl) ; |x − d| < s
∂V  
= B − cos(nπx/a) B (nπ/a) =
∂y y=0
0 n
⎩ 0 ; |x − d| ≥ s
n=1

I/l 2I/l sin(nπs/a)

B0 = − ; Bn = cos(nπd/a) .
κa κnπ nπs/a
The result for B0 is the same as before, as the total current is constant and thus the
problem is well-defined. The constant A0 remains undetermined.
The calculation of the power loss per axial length Pv /l requires the solution of

b a b a
Pv /l = JEdx
 dy = κ (grad V )2 dx dy .
y=0 x=0 y=0 x=0
88 3 Stationary Current Distributions

A straight forward evaluation of this surface integrals is possible, but with Green’s
second identity the surface integral is transformed into a simpler integral over the
contour C of the conducting cylinder.

 
c+s 
d+s
∂V ∂V ∂V
Pv /l = κ V ds = κV (x = c , y = b) dx + κV (x = d, y = 0) dx
∂n ∂n ∂n
C c−s d−s


c+s d+s 
∂V ∂V
Pv /l = V (x = c, y = b) κ dx +V (x = d, y = 0) −κ dx
∂y ∂y
c−s d−s
& '( ) & '( )
−I/l I/l

This result leads to

Pv /l = I/l [V (x = d, y = 0) − V (x = c, y = b)] = I/l · U = I 2 R/l

 ∞
 cos(nπd/a)

Pv /l = I/l −B0 b + An + Bn cosh(nπb/a) +

n=1
sinh(nπb/a)

cos(nπc/a)

− An cosh(nπb/a) + Bn .
sinh(nπb/a)

In the limit s → 0 the supply current is impressed on a line. With lim sin(x)/x = 1
x→0
the constants in the series for the potential and current density are

2I/l 2I/l
An |s→0 = − cos(nπc/a) ; Bn |s→0 = cos(nπd/a).
κnπ κnπ
However, the series for the power loss and the resistance are divergent, i.e. with s → 0
the resistance increases unrestricted.

3.4 Current Distribution inside a Circular Cylinder

This problem resembles problem 3.3, but the rectangular cylinder has been replaced
by a circular cylinder with conductivity κ and radius a. The input current supply lies
in the half plane ϕ = ϕ0 and the output current supply in ϕ = 0.
Calculate the current distribution and the resistance per axial length. In the limit case
c → 0 it is possible to calculate the current distribution with the method of images.
Calculate the potential by means of equivalent line sources.
3.4 Current Distribution inside a Circular Cylinder 89

k ® ¥
k = 0 2 c

I = l
%

'
' k ® ¥
0

I = l
k 2 c

The potential on the surface of the cylinder is constant in the region of the perfect
conducting electrodes. Furthermore because of 2c  a we can assume that the normal
component of the current density is either constant at the end of the electrodes. Thus
the constant normal derivative of the potential is
 
∂V  ∂V 
− = − = En (ϕ)|=a = E (ϕ)|=a =
∂n =a ∂ =a
⎧
⎪
⎪
I c
− <ϕ<
c
⎪
⎪ ;
⎪
⎪ 2cκl a a
⎨
= I c c
⎪ − ; ϕ0 − < ϕ < ϕ0 +
⎪
⎪ 2cκl a a
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎩ 0 ; otherwise

2π 
∂V 
with adϕ = 0 .
∂n =a
0
On account of the symmetry plane ϕ = ϕ0 /2 the approach for the potential V ( , ϕ)
reads
∞  n

V ( , ϕ) = Cn sin n(ϕ − ϕ0 /2) .

n=1
a
The term with n = 0 can be omitted because the point = 0 is part of the computation
domain. For the calculation of the constants Cn we look at the normal component of
90 3 Stationary Current Distributions

the electric field at points on the cylinder = a.

 ∞
∂V   n

E |=a = −  = − Cn sin n(ϕ − ϕ0 /2)

∂ =a n=1
a

Making use of the orthogonality relation for trigonometric functions results in

∞
 2π 2π
n

− Cn sin n(ϕ − ϕ0 /2) sin k(ϕ − ϕ0 /2) dϕ = E (ϕ)|=a sin k (ϕ−ϕ0 /2) dϕ
n=1
a
0 0
& '( )
⎧
⎪
⎪
⎨ π ; n=k
=
⎪
⎪
⎩ 0 ; n = k

0+ a
c
c/a ϕ
n I
−I

−Cn π = sin n (ϕ − ϕ0 /2) dϕ + sin n (ϕ − ϕ0 /2) dϕ

a 2cκl 2cκl
−c/a ϕ0 − a
c

c/a
I "

#
= sin n (ϕ − ϕ0 /2) − sin n (ϕ + ϕ0 /2) dϕ
2cκl
−c/a

c/a
−I 2I sin (n c/a)
= sin(n ϕ0 /2) cos (n ϕ) dϕ = − sin (n ϕ0 /2) .
cκl cκl n
−c/a

Finally the result is

2I sin (n ϕ0 /2) sin (n c/a)
Cn =
κπl n n c/a
2I  sin (nϕ0 /2) sin (n c/a)  n
∞

V ( , ϕ) = sin n (ϕ − ϕ0 /2) .
κπl n=1 n n c/a a

The resistance per axial length R/l is defined by the relation

∞
1 V (a, ϕ0 ) − V (a, 0) R 4  sin2 (n ϕ0 /2) sin (n c/a)
= =
l I l κπl2 n=1 n n c/a

with V (a, 0) = −V (a, ϕ0 ) .

In the limit case c/a → 0 with lim sin(x)/x = 1 the potential is

x→0

2I  sin (nϕ0 /2)  n

∞
V0 ( , ϕ) = sin(n (ϕ − ϕ0 /2)) .
κπl n=1 n a
3.4 Current Distribution inside a Circular Cylinder 91

The resistance for ϕ0 = π and c/a → 0 reads:

∞
R 4  1
= .
l κπl2 2k +1
k=0

This series is divergent. The potentials for the points ( = a;ϕ = ϕ0 ) and ( = a; ϕ = 0)
and the resistance R/l increase unrestricted for c/a → 0.
This result can also be derived by means of the method of images, in analogy to the
method for line charges in front of a dielectric cylinder. For line currents ±I on the
surface of a conducting cylinder one gets image currents at the same positions, thus in
total line currents ±2I at positions ( = a; ϕ = ϕ0 ) and ( = a; ϕ = 0) in a space of
homogeneous conductivity κ. Now the resulting potential V ( , ϕ) is the real part of
the complex potential P (z).
I z − z1
P (z) = − ln ; z1 = a ; z2 = a exp(jϕ0 )
πκl z − z2
I
V ( , ϕ) = Re {P (z)} = − ln( 1 / 2 ) ; i = |z − zi | ; i = 1, 2
πκl
The complex electric field is
I
E(z) = −(dP /dz)∗ = [1/(z − z1 ) − 1/(z − z2 )]∗
πκl
and the lines of force are defined by the electric stream function

Ψs = Im {P (z)} = const .

Although the resulting solution from the method of images is of different form it is
identical with the preceding result. For the proof we look at a series expansion of the
logarithm of the distance |z − z0 | = 0 .

z = exp(jϕ) ; z0 = |z0 | exp(jϕ0 ) ; |z0 | = a

∞

ln 0 = ln a − ( /a)n /n cos(n(ϕ − ϕ0 )) ; < a
n=1

Now we can rewrite the real part of the complex potential

∞
I 
V ( , ϕ) = − ( /a)n /n · [cos(nϕ) − cos(n(ϕ − ϕ0 ))]
κπl n=1 & '( )
−2 sin(n(ϕ − ϕ0 + ϕ)/2) sin(n(ϕ + ϕ0 − ϕ)/2)
∞
2I 
V ( , ϕ) = ( /a)n /n sin(nϕ0 /2) sin(n(ϕ − ϕ0 /2))
κπl n=1
and get the same expression as before.
92 3 Stationary Current Distributions

3.5 Current Distribution in a Cylinder with

Stepped Down Diameter

Consider a circular conductor of infinite extension in ±z-direction that carries the

current I. The radius of the conductor reduces in z = 0 from b to a, with a < b.
Calculate the current distribution in the conductor of conductivity κ.

b
a %

k
I

The current distribution far away from z = 0 is homogeneous.


 r )
ez J( = Jz |z→∞ =
I
z→∞ πa2
That is  
I ∂V  ∂V 
Ez |z→∞ = = − ; = −E0
κπa2 ∂z z→∞ ∂z z→∞
and in analogy 
∂V   a 2
= −E .
∂z z→−∞
0
b
We thus need linear functions in z with |z| → ∞ for the description of the potential.
Furthermore the solution functions must satisfy Laplace’s equation. This leads to the
3.5 Current Distribution in a Cylinder with Stepped Down Diameter 93

following approach

V1 ( , z) = −E0 z + Am1 J0 (m1 ) exp(−m1 z) ; z≥0
m1
 a 2 
V2 ( , z) = −E0 z+ Bm2 J0 (m2 ) exp(m2 z) ; z ≤ 0.
b m2

The radial component of the current density vanishes on the boundary of the cylinder.
This leads for = a and = b with J0 = −J1 to
 
∂V1  ∂V2 
= 0 ⇒ J (m a) = 0 ; = 0 ⇒ J1 (m2 b) = 0
∂ =a ∂ =b
1 1

x1r x1r
J1 (x1r ) = 0 ; r = 1, 2, 3, . . . ⇒ m1r = ; m2r =
a b
∞

V1 ( , z) = −E0 z + Ar J0 (x1r /a) exp(−x1r z/a) ; z≥0
r=1
 a 2 ∞

V2 ( , z) = −E0 z+ Br J0 (x1r /b) exp(x1r z/b) ; z ≤ 0.
b r=1

The remaining constants Ar and Br follow from the boundary conditions in z = 0.

The evaluation of the condition for the normal component of the current density gives
⎧
⎨ Ez1 |z=0 ; <a
Ez2 |z=0 =
⎩
0 ; a< <b
⎧ 1∞
 a 2  ∞ ⎪
⎨ E0 + Ar x1r /a J0 (x1r /a) ; <a
E0 − Br x1r /b J0 (x1r /b) = r=1
b ⎪
⎩
r=1 0 ; a < < b.
As the functions J0 (x1r /b) belong to an orthogonal system of functions, the multipli-
cation with J0 (x1s /b) and integration from = 0 to = b results in

 a 2 b ∞
x1r
b

E0 J0 (x1s ) d − Br J0 (x1r ) J0 (x1s ) d =
b b r=1
b b b
0 0
& '( ) & '( )
I1 I2
a a ∞

x1r
= E0 J0 (x1s /b) d + Ar J0 (x1r /a) J0 (x1s /b) d
r=1
a
0 0
& '( ) & '( )
I3 I4
94 3 Stationary Current Distributions

z = a

-1

-2
-2 -1 0 1 x = a 2

Fig. 3.5–1: Current streamlines

with
1 2 2 b
I1 = 0 ; I2 = b J0 (x1s ) ; I3 = a J1 (x1s a/b)
2 x1s
x1s a/b J1 (x1s a/b) J0 (x1r )
I4 = − .
(x1r /a)2 − (x1s /b)2

This leads to the following system of equations

 ∞
1 J02 (x1s ) a x1r J0 (x1r )
Bs = −E0 2 + Ar .
2 J1 (x1s a/b) x1s r=1 (x1r b/a)2 − x21s

Finally the boundary condition for the tangential component of the electric field, which
3.6 Current Distribution around a Conducting Sphere 95

is equivalent to the continuity of the potential, is evaluated in a similar manner.

 
∂V1  ∂V2 
= ⇔ V1 ( , z = 0) = V2 ( , z = 0) ; <a
∂ z=0 ∂ z=0
∞
 ∞

⇒ Ar J0 (x1r /a) = Br J0 (x1r /b) ; < a.
r=1 r=1

Now the multiplication with J0 (x1s /a) and integration from = 0 to = a results
in
∞ a
1 2 2
As a J0 (x1s ) = Br J0 (x1r /b) J0 (x1s /a) d
2 r=1 0
& '( )
x1r a/b J1 (x1r a/b) J0 (x1s )
(x1r /b)2 − (x1s /a)2
and leads to a second system of equations.
∞
2 x1r a/b J1 (x1r a/b)
As = Br
J0 (x1s ) r=1 (x1r a/b)2 − x21s

The electric field and thus the current distribution is determined after solving both
systems of equations numerically.

3.6 Current Distribution around a Conducting Sphere

The initial current density JE = −ez JE in the homogeneous space of conductivity κ2
is perturbed by a conducting sphere of radius a and conductivity κ1 .
Calculate the perturbed current distribution.
The initial current density in the homogeneous space of conductivity κ2 is

E.
JE = −ez JE = − [er cos ϑ − eϑ sin ϑ] JE = κ2 E

It is described by the Potential VE :

 
∂VE eϑ ∂VE
JE = −κ2 grad VE = −κ2 er +
∂r r ∂ϑ
∂VE κ2 ∂VE
κ2 = JE cos ϑ ; = −JE sin ϑ.
∂r r ∂ϑ
Hence the potential is
JE JE
VE (r, ϑ) = r cos ϑ = r P1 (cos ϑ) ,
κ2 κ2
96 3 Stationary Current Distributions

z
J E

# r

k 2

k a
1

with the definition V (r, ϑ = π/2) = 0 without loss of generality.

The additional functions that describe the perturbation by the inserted conducting
sphere must be solutions of Laplace’s equation ΔV (r, ϑ) = 0. In spherical coordinates
these are the powers of the distance (rn , r−(n+1) ) and the Legendre’s polynomials
Pn (cos ϑ) and Qn (cos ϑ). Since the description of the initial field restricts to functions
of order n = 1, also the perturbed field is described by these functions and the approach
for the resulting potential reads as follows
⎧ ⎫
JE a ⎨ r/a + C1 (a/r)2 ⎬ r≥a
V (r, ϑ) = P1 (cos ϑ) ; .
κ2 ⎩ C2 r/a ⎭ r≤a

The unknown constants C1 and C2 result from the boundary conditions in the surface
r = a.

The continuity of the potential requires

1 + C1 = C2 .

A second equation follows from the continuity of the normal component of the current
density
 
∂V  ∂V 
κ2 = κ1 ⇒ 1 − 2 C1 = κ1 /κ2 C2 .
∂r  r>a ∂r  r<a
r→a r→a
3.6 Current Distribution around a Conducting Sphere 97

Accordingly the constants are

κ2 − κ1 3κ2
C1 = ; C2 =
κ1 + 2κ2 κ1 + 2κ2
and after building the gradient of the resulting potential the current density becomes
⎧ κ2 − κ1
⎪
⎨ −ez + (a/r)3 [2er cos ϑ + eϑ sin ϑ] ; r > a

J = −κgrad V = JE κ 1 + 2κ 2
⎪
⎩−
3κ1
ez ; r < a.
κ1 + 2κ2
Hence only inside the sphere r < a the current distribution is homogeneous. In the
limit case κ1 → 0 we get the same problem and thus the same solution as in chapter
3.2.
For the drawing of current streamlines one can make use of the relation

 ϑ
I(r, ϑ) =  a = 2π
Jd er J r2 sin ϑ dϑ = const .
a ϑ =0

The result is
⎧ ⎫
ϑ ⎨ 3 ⎬
JE a 1 − 2 C1 (a/r)
I(r, ϑ) = −2πκ1,2 r2 cos ϑ sin ϑ dϑ
κ2 a ⎩ C2 ⎭
ϑ =0
⎧ ⎫
⎨ 1 − 2 C (a/r)3 ⎬ " #
1
I(r, ϑ)/I0 = cos 2ϑ − 1 = const
⎩ κ1 /κ2 C2 ⎭

with I0 = πr2 JE /2.

98 3 Stationary Current Distributions

z = a

-1

-2
-2 -1 0 1 x = a 2

Fig. 3.6–1: Current streamlines for κ1 /κ2 = 100

4. Magnetic Field of Stationary Currents

4.1 Magnetic Field of Line Conductors

In the plane z = 0 lies a circular conductor loop with radius a and with its center in
the point of origin. For the current supply radial line currents have been connected at
the points ( = a ; ϕ = ∓ϕ0 ), starting at infinity and carrying the constant current I.

Calculate the magnetic field at the point of origin ( = 0 ; z = 0).

I
%
'

' 0
e z
x
-' 0

a I

As the current I is time independent, he splits up accordingly to the resistances, which

are proportional to the lengths of the wire elements. The element |ϕ| < ϕ0 carries the
current I(1 − ϕ0 /π) and the element ϕ0 < ϕ < 2π − ϕ0 the current Iϕ0 /π.

In general the magnetic field of a line current with contour C(rq ) is given by

 rp ) = I
H( dsq × r/r3 ; r = rp − rq .
4π
C

Hence line currents with radial direction don’t contribute to the field at the point of
origin rp = 0, because the vectors r = rp − rq = −rq and dsq have the same direction
and therefore the cross product vanishes. The result of the integral over the contour

G.Mrozynski, M.Stallein, Electromagnetic Field Theory, DOI 10.1007/978-3-8348-2178-2_4,

© Springer Vieweg | Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden 2013
100 4 Magnetic Field of Stationary Currents

of the circular element ( = a ; −ϕ0 < ϕ < ϕ0 ) is

ϕ0
1 − ϕ0 /π I
I eϕ a d ϕq × (−e /a2 ) = ez (1 − ϕ0 /π) ϕ0
4π 2πa
ϕ=−ϕ0

and the result for the complementary element ( = a ; ϕ0 < ϕ < 2π − ϕ0 ) is

I
−ez ϕ0 (1 − ϕ0 /π).
2πa
Thus the magnetic field in the point of origin vanishes.

 = 0
H

If the current I would split-up equally onto the wire elements, then the contributions
to the field are ez I/(4a)(ϕ0 /π) and −ez I/(4a)(1 − ϕ0 /π), and in total the magnetic
field in (z = 0; = 0) would be
 = ez I/(4a)(2ϕ0 /π − 1).
H

4.2 Magnetic Field of a Current Sheet

Consider a circular ring with outer radius a, inner radius b > a, conductivity κ and a
very small thickness s  a. The ring is open between −α < ϕ < α and a constant
current I is impressed at its ends, which are perfectly conducting.
Calculate the magnetic field in the center of the ring.
The current distribution and the excited magnetic field can be determined indepen-
dently in case of currents constant in time. As the thickness s is small and the electrodes
for the current supply are perfectly conducting, it is possible to describe the current

distribution as a current sheet K( ) = eϕ K( ). It is
2 2 2
 ds = −
E grad V ds = − dV = V1 − V2 =
1 1 1

= V ( , ϕ = α) − V ( , ϕ = 2π − α) = U = 2(π − α) E( ) ; a< <b

b
κsU κsU
K( ) = κs E( ) = ; K( )d = I = ln(b/a)
2(π − α) 2(π − α)
=a

I
K( ) = .
ln(b/a)
4.2 Magnetic Field of a Current Sheet 101

r %
K (% ) q

® '

-®
a

b
I

k ;s

Now the magnetic field results from


 = 1
H  × r/r3 da ;
K r = rp − rq ,
4π
aK

where aK is the surface with the given current distribution.

For the calculation of the field in the center rp = 0 we first calculate the contribution
of a differential current K( ) d on a circle of radius .


2π−α
 = 1 −e π−α d
dH eϕ K( ) d × dϕ = ez K( )
4π 3 2π
ϕ=α

Finally a second integration leads to the magnetic field

b b
 = ez π − α
H K( )
d
= ez
π−α I d
2π 2π ln(b/a) 2
=a =a

 = ez π − α
H
I
(1 − a/b) .
2πa ln(b/a)

In the limit a → b the field becomes  = ez (π − α) I .

H
2πa
102 4 Magnetic Field of Stationary Currents

4.3 Energy and Inductance of Conductors with

Circular Symmetry

In this problem the energy of the magnetic field and the inductance of conductors with
circular symmetry should be examined.

Consider a hollow cylinder of infinite length with radius = a and permeability μ0

inside the homogeneous space of permeability μ. The surface of the cylinder = a
 = ez K0 .
carries the current sheet K

¹ %

¹ 0 K = e zK
' 0

After a straightforward calculation the magnetic field becomes

⎧
⎨ 0 ; <a
 = eϕ K0
H .
⎩ a/ ; > a

With this result the energy in the magnetic field per unit length Wm /l would lead to
the integral

 2π ∞  2 c
1  = 1 a μ 2 d
Wm /l =  Bda
H μK02 2
d dϕ = K0 2πa lim ,
2 2 2 c→∞
a ϕ=0 =a a

which is not convergent in the limit c → ∞. Obviously the field is non-regular and thus
the problem is not well-defined. (Because of the endless inductance it is not possible
to impress the current.)
4.3 Energy and Inductance of Conductors with Circular Symmetry 103

%
K = -e zK 0 a = b

' K = e zK 0

a
¹ 0 ¹ ¹ 0

 = −ez K0 a/b at
Now the problem is modified by adding a second current sheet K
= b > a and the permeability in > b is μ0 .
The solution for the magnetic field is
⎧
⎪
⎪
⎨ 0 ; <a
 = eϕ K0
H a/ ; a< <b
⎪
⎪
⎩
0 ; >b

and the energy of the magnetic field per unit length l becomes
2π a  2
1 a b 1
Wm /l = μ K02 d dϕ = μK02 a2 π ln = L/l I 2 .
2 a 2
ϕ=0 =0

The problem is regular and with the current I = 2aπ K0 the inductance per unit length
L/l is given by
μ b
L/l = ln .
2π a
This result is independent of μ0 , because there is no magnetic field in the surrounding
medium, i.e. the total current is zero.
 = ez A( ):
It is possible to describe the magnetic field by means of a vector potential A

H  = −eϕ 1 dA ;
 = 1 rot A A( ) = −μK0
a 
d = −μK0 a ln .
μ μ d  c
c
104 4 Magnetic Field of Stationary Currents

In this case we can proof the calculation of the magnetic energy by the relation
 
1 1 1
Wm /l =  
AJda =  Kds
A  = L/l I 2
2 2 2
a s
2π
1 μ b
= [A(a)K(a)a − A(b)K(b)b] dϕ = (2πaK0 )2 ln
2 4π a
0

and get the same result as before. Thus if the total current in planes z = const
vanishes, then the problem is regular and the relation for the inductance is valid.
Now we modify the problem a second time. The current sheet on the inner surface
 = ez K0 cos ϕ. Again the
vanishes and the outer surface carries the current sheet K
total current vanishes:
2π
I = K( )bdϕ = 0 .
0
Vector potential and field follow from
 = ez A( , ϕ) ;
A = b
ΔA( , ϕ) = 0 ;
 
 = 1 rot A
H  = e H ( , ϕ) + eϕ Hϕ ( , ϕ) = 1 e 1 ∂A − eϕ ∂A .
μ μ ∂ϕ ∂
Here the general solution function of Laplace’s equation for the vector potential is
∞   n  n 
a
A( , ϕ) = an + bn [cn cos(nϕ) + dn sin(nϕ)] .
n=1
a

With the given current distribution the following approach applies

⎡ ⎤
∞
cn ( /a)n <a
⎢ ⎥
A( , ϕ) = ⎢ an ( /a)n + bn (a/ )n ⎥ cos(nϕ) ; a< <b
⎣ ⎦
n=1
dn (b/ )n > b,

where the constants an , bn , cn , and dn have been redefined. The solutions with n = 0
can be dropped as the total current vanishes.
For the determination of the constants firstly the continuity relation for the normal
component of the magnetic flux density, which is in this case identical to the continuity
of the vector potential, is evaluated with the result

cn = an + b n
 n  a n
b
dn = an + bn .
a b
4.3 Energy and Inductance of Conductors with Circular Symmetry 105

An additional equation results from the continuity of the tangential component of the
magnetic field in = a:
 
1 ∂A  1 ∂A 
Hϕ | a<<b = Hϕ | <a ; =
→a →a μ0 ∂  <a μ ∂  a<<b
→a →a

μ0
⇒ cn = [an − bn ] = an + bn .
μ
Finally on = b applies
 
1 ∂A  1 ∂A 
Hϕ | >b − Hϕ | a<<b = − + = K0 cos ϕ
→b →b μ0 ∂  >b μ ∂  a<<b
→b →b
    
∞
1 n 1n b
n−1  a n+1
dn + an − bn cos (n ϕ) = K0 cos ϕ
n=1
μ0 b μa a b
    a 
μ0 b
⇒ n = 1; d1 + a1 − b1 = μ0 K0 b .
μ a b
The solution of the system of equations is
     
μ0 b μ0 a
a1 1 + + b1 1 − = μ0 K0 b
μ a μ b
μ0 K0 b μ0 K0 a
a1 = ; a1 |μ→∞ =
(1 + μ0 /μ)b/a − k(1 − μ0 /μ)a/b 1 − (a/b)2

μ − μ0 −μ0 K0 a
b1 = −a1 k ; k = ; b1 |μ→∞ =
μ + μ0 1 − (a/b)2
c1 = a1 (1 − k) ; c1 |μ→∞ = 0; d1 = a1 [b/a − k a/b] ; d1 |μ→∞ = μ0 K0 b .
With this results the energy of the magnetic field calculates to
2π ∞ 2π
1 2 1   bdϕ =
Wm /l = μ H ( , ϕ) d dϕ = K(b) A(b)
2 2
ϕ=0 =0 ϕ=0
  2π  
1 b a π b a
= bK0 a1 −k cos2 ϕdϕ = b K 0 a1 −k .
2 a b 2 a b
0

The direct calculation of the integral of the square of the magnetic field over the cross
section is more complicated. In the limit μ → ∞ the energy is
π
Wm /l|μ→∞ = μ0 K02 b2 .
2
Although the total current vanishes in this problem, and thus it is a regular problem,
it is not possible to define a reasonable inductance, because the current sheet is a
continuous function of ϕ.
106 4 Magnetic Field of Stationary Currents

4.4 Shielding of the Magnetic Field of a Parallel-Wire Line

A parallel-wire line is placed inside a hollow cylinder of material with permeability

μ and with radii a and b > a. The two wires with currents ±I are at positions
( = c, ϕ = ±ϕ0 ) with a > c. The remaining space is of permeability μ0 .
Calculate the magnetic field and give the limits μ = μ0 , μ → ∞, and b → ∞. Use both
the scalar potential and the vector potential.

¹ 0 % ' 0

¹ I
'
¹ 0

a I

b -' 0

As the conductors of the excitation currents are thin wires, it is possible to apply
a scalar magnetic potential Vm . The line currents at positions ( = c; ϕ = ±ϕ0 )
can be equivalently replaced by a magnetic dipole layer m
 m = e μ0 I on the surface
( = c; −ϕ0 < ϕ < ϕ0 ). The field equations are

 = 0;
rot H  = μH
B  ;  = −grad Vm ;
H ΔVm = 0 ; = c .

At first the exciting field H  e = −grad Vme of the line currents and thus that of the
equivalent dipole layer in the homogeneous space of permeability μ0 is determined.
 
1 ∂ ∂Vme 1 ∂ 2 Vme
Vme = Vme ( , ϕ) ; ΔVme = + 2 = 0
∂ ∂ ∂ϕ2

Vme ( , ϕ) = R( )Φ(ϕ)

 e = −grad Vme = −e ∂Vme − eϕ 1 ∂Vme = B

H  e /μ0
∂ ∂ϕ
The solution functions of the differential equation are powers of the axial distance
Rn ( ) = { n ; −n } and the trigonometric functions Φn (ϕ) = {cos(nϕ) ; sin(nϕ)}.
4.4 Shielding of the Magnetic Field of a Parallel-Wire Line 107

Due to the symmetry of the field with respect to ϕ = 0 and ϕ = π the approach for
the potential Vme is given by
⎧ ⎫ ⎧ ⎫
⎨ E ⎬  ∞ ⎨
En1 ( /c)n ⎬ <c
01
Vme ( , ϕ) = + cos(nϕ) ;
⎩ E02 + D02 ln / ln c ⎭ ⎩ En2 (c/ ) ⎭
n
> c.
n=1

The normal component e Be is continuous when passing the dipole layer at = c.
This results in
 
∂Vme  ∂Vme 
= ; En1 = −En2 = −En ; D02 = 0 .
∂  >c ∂  <c
→c →c

The potential itself is discontinuous at ( = c, |ϕ| < ϕ0 ).

⎧
⎨ m /μ = I ; |ϕ| < ϕ
m 0 0
Vme | >c − Vme | <c =
→c →c ⎩ 0 ; ϕ0 < ϕ < 2π − ϕ0
⎧
∞
 ⎨ I ; |ϕ| < ϕ0
(En2 − En1 ) cos(nϕ) =
⎩ 0 ; ϕ0 < ϕ < 2π − ϕ0
n=0

Now making use of the orthogonality relation for the trigonometric functions by mul-
tiplication with cos(kϕ) and integration from ϕ = 0 to ϕ = 2π leads to
ϕ0
2 I Iϕ0
2En π = I cos(nϕ)dϕ = I sin(nϕ0 ) ; En = sin(nϕ0 ) ; E0 = .
n nπ π
−ϕ0

The coefficient E0 = E02 −E01 in the Fourier series expansion of the potential difference
leads to a source field. Hence this part does not contribute to the magnetic field and
can be neglected.
Therewith the exciting potential is
⎧ ⎫
∞ ⎨ n ⎬
I −( /c) sin(nϕ0 )
Vme = cos(nϕ).
π n=1 ⎩ (c/ )n ⎭ n

A suitable approach for the resulting potential after the insertion of the permeable
hollow cylinder is
⎧⎧ ⎫ ⎫
⎪ ⎨ −( /c)n ⎬ ⎪
⎪
⎪ ⎪
⎪
⎪ + An ( /a) ⎪
n ⎪
⎪ <a
I ∞
sin(nϕ0 ) ⎨ ⎩ (c/ )n ⎭ ⎬
Vm = cos(nϕ) ;
π n=1 n ⎪
⎪ n n ⎪
⎪ a< <b
⎪ Bn ( /a) + Cn (a/ )
⎪ ⎪
⎪
⎪
⎩ ⎪
⎭
n > b.
Dn (b/ )
108 4 Magnetic Field of Stationary Currents

At the boundaries = a and = b the tangential component of the magnetic field is

continuous. Therewith also the potential is continuous:

Vm | <a = Vm | a<<b ; Vm | a<<b = Vm | >b

→a →a →b →b

(c/a)n + An = Bn + Cn ; Bn (b/a)n + Cn (a/b)n = Dn .

Another two equations follow from the continuity of the normal component of the
magnetic flux density:
   
∂Vm  ∂Vm  ∂Vm  ∂Vm 
μ0 = μ ; μ = μ
∂  <a ∂  a<<b ∂  a<<b ∂  >b
0
→a →a →b →b

An − (c/a)n = μ/μ0 (Bn − Cn ) ; −Dn = μ/μ0 (Bn (b/a)n − Cn (a/b)n ) .

Finally the solution of the four equations leads to the constants

An = 2 [(c/a)n + k(c/b)n (a/b)n ] /Mn − (c/a)n ; k = (μ − μ0 )/(μ + μ0 )

Bn = 2k(c/b)n (a/b)n /Mn ; Cn = 2(c/a)n /Mn

Dn = 2(c/b)n (1 + k)/Mn ; Mn = (1 + μ/μ0 )(1 − k 2 (a/b)2n ) .

In the limit μ = μ0 applies

k|μ=μ0 = 0 ; Mn |μ=μ0 = 2 ; An |μ=μ0 = 0 ; Bn |μ=μ0 = 0

Cn |μ=μ0 = (c/a)n ; Dn |μ=μ0 = (c/b)n

and the potential Vm is equal to the exciting potential Vme .

The limit μ → ∞ results with k → 1 and Mn → ∞ in

An |μ→∞ = −(c/a)n ; Bn |μ→∞ = Cn |μ→∞ = Dn |μ→∞ = 0 .

Now the resulting potential is

⎧⎧ ⎫ ⎫
I  sin(nϕ0 ) ⎨⎨ −( /c)n ⎬ ⎬
∞
<c
Vm |μ→∞ = − ( /a)n (c/a)n cos(nϕ) ;
π n=1 n ⎩ ⎩ (c/ )n ⎭ ⎭ > c.

This expression can be described only by means of the exciting potential

Vm |μ→∞ = Vme ( , ϕ) − Vme (a2 / , ϕ)

and thus we get the method of images for a highly permeable cylinder.
4.4 Shielding of the Magnetic Field of a Parallel-Wire Line 109

In case of a large radius b  a we get with b → ∞ the results

1 − μ/μ0
Mn |b→∞ = (1 + μ/μ0 ) ; An |b→∞ = (c/a)n = −k(c/a)n
1 + μ/μ0
2
Bn |b→∞ = 0 ; Cn |b→∞ = (c/a)n .
1 + μ/μ0
The potential becomes
⎧ ⎧ ⎫ ⎫
⎪
⎪ ⎨ −( /c)n ⎬ ⎪
⎪
⎪ ⎪ <c
I  sin(nϕ0 ) ⎨ ⎩ ⎬
∞
− k(c/a)n ( /a)n
Vm |b→∞ = (c/ )n ⎭ cos(nϕ) ; c < < a
π n=1 n ⎪
⎪ ⎪
⎪
⎪
⎩ 2/(1 + μ/μ0 ) (c/ )n ⎪
⎭ > a.

Again we can write the expression in terms of the exciting potential

⎧
⎨ V ( , ϕ) − kV (a2 / , ϕ) ; < a
me me
Vm |b→∞ =
⎩ (1 − k)Vme ( , ϕ) ; > a.

This result corresponds to the method of images for permeable cylinders.

It is also possible to solve this problem by means of a vector potential, which has
the same direction as the line currents. Thus again the field is described by a scalar
function, that is a solution of Laplace’s equation.

 ϕ) = ez A( , ϕ) ;
A( , ΔA( , ϕ) = 0 ; B  = e 1 ∂A − eϕ ∂A
 = rot A
∂ϕ ∂
 e ( , ϕ) = ez Ae ( , ϕ) in the homogeneous
For the calculation of the exciting potential A
space of permittivity μ0 we replace the currents equivalently by a z-directed current
sheet K(ϕ) that vanishes except for ϕ = ±ϕ0 . With respect to the symmetry the
solutions of Laplace’s equation ΔAe ( , ϕ) = 0 are
⎧ ⎫
∞ ⎨ ( /c)n ⎬ ≤c
Ae ( , ϕ) = An sin(nϕ) ;
⎩ (c/ )n ⎭ ≥ c.
n=1

The solution with n = 0 is omitted because the total current vanishes.

In the following all constants have a different meaning than in the scalar potential
approach.
The approach already satisfies the continuity of the normal component of the flux
density Be in = c, which is identical to the continuity of the vector potential. For
the tangential component eϕ B e /μ it follows
 
∂Ae  ∂Ae 
Heϕ | >c − Heϕ | <c = K(ϕ) ; − = μ0 K(ϕ)
→c →c ∂  <c ∂  >c
→c →c
110 4 Magnetic Field of Stationary Currents

∞

2n/c An sin(nϕ) = μ0 K(ϕ) .
n=1
Making use of the orthogonality relation for trigonometric functions leads to
2π π
2μ0 I
2n/cAn π = μ0 K(ϕ) sin(nϕ)dϕ = 2μ0 /c sin(nϕ0 ) K(ϕ)cdϕ = sin(nϕ0 )
c
0 0
& '( )
I

μ0 I sin(nϕ0 )
⇒ An = .
π n
Now the ansatz for the resulting potential after inserting the permeable cylinder is
⎧⎧ ⎫ ⎫
⎪ ⎨ ( /c)n ⎬ ⎪
⎪
⎪ ⎪
⎪
⎪ + Bn ( /a)n ⎪⎪
⎪ <a
∞
μ0 I  sin(nϕ0 ) ⎨ ⎩ (c/ ) n ⎭ ⎬
A( , ϕ) = sin(nϕ) ;
π n=1 n ⎪
⎪ Cn ( /a)n + Dn (a/ )n ⎪ ⎪ a< <b
⎪
⎪ ⎪
⎪
⎪
⎩ ⎪
⎭
n > b.
En (b/ )

The continuity of the normal component of the flux density and accordingly of the
vector potential on the surfaces = a and = b yields

(c/a)n + Bn = Cn + Dn ; Cn (b/a)n + Dn (a/b)n = En

and from the continuity of the tangential component of the magnetic field it follows

−En = μ0 /μ [Cn (b/a)n − Dn (a/b)n ] ; −(c/a)n + Bn = μ0 /μ [Cn − Dn ] .

Finally after solving the system of equations the constants are

" #
Bn = 2(c/a)n 1 − k(a/b)2n /M − (c/a)n ; En = 2(c/b)n (1 − k)/M

Cn = −2k(c/b)n(a/b)n /M ; Dn = 2(c/a)n /M
M = (1 + μ0 /μ)(1 − k 2 (a/b)2n ) ; k = (μ − μ0 )/(μ + μ0 ) .

In the limit μ = μ0 we get with k = 0 and M = 2 the result

Bn |μ=μ0 = 0 ; Cn |μ=μ0 = 0 ; Dn |μ=μ0 = (c/a)n ; En |μ=μ0 = (c/b)n ,

so that only the exciting potential remains.

With b → ∞ the solution becomes
μ0  c n 2(c/a)n
Mn |b→∞ = 1 + ; Bn |b→∞ = k ; Cn |b→∞ = 0; Dn |b→∞ =
μ a 1+μ0/μ
4.4 Shielding of the Magnetic Field of a Parallel-Wire Line 111

1 .5

y = a

0 .5

-0 .5

-1

-1 .5
-1 .5 -1 -0 .5 0 0 .5 1 1 .5
x = a

Fig. 4.4–1: Magnetic lines of force for μ/μ0 = 10, b/a = 1.5, c/a = 0.5, and ϕ0 = π/3

⎧⎧ ⎫ ⎫
⎪
⎪ ⎨ ( /c)n ⎬ ⎪
⎪
∞ ⎪
⎨ n⎪
⎬
μ0 I  sin(nϕ0 ) ⎩ + k(c/a)n
( /a)
n ⎭
A( , ϕ)|b→∞ = (c/ ) sin(nϕ)
π n=1 n ⎪
⎪ ⎪
⎪
⎪
⎩ 2 (c/ )n ⎪
⎭
1 + μ0 /μ
for < a and > a. This expression has the form
⎧
⎨ A ( , ϕ) + k A (a2 / , ϕ) ; < a
e e
A( , ϕ)|b→∞ =
⎩ (1 + k)Ae ( , ϕ) ; > a.

It is the analog expression for vector potentials of the method of images for a permeable
cylinder.
112 4 Magnetic Field of Stationary Currents

4.5 Magnetic Field and Stationary Current Flow in

a Cylinder with Stepped Down Diameter

The radius of a cylinder with conductivity κ is stepped down from b in z < 0 to a in

z > 0.
Find the magnetic field inside the cylinder, when the total current I0 is constant and
the homogeneous permeability is μ.
z

b
a %

k , ¹
I 0

Electric and magnetic fields can be determined independently if all fields are constant in
time. The current distribution of the present problem has been analyzed in chapter 3.
Outside the conducting material the ϕ-directed magnetic field is equal to the field of
a line current I0 on the z-axis. Inside the cylinder the magnetic field satisfies the
differential equation
 2  
 = rot rot [eϕ H( , z)] = eϕ − ∂ H − ∂
rot rot H
1 ∂
( H) = 0
∂z 2 ∂ ∂
∂2H 1 ∂H H ∂2H
⇒ 2
+ − 2+ = 0; H( , z) = R( ) Z(z) .
∂ ∂ ∂z 2
The solutions of this differential equation are the ordinary Bessel functions Rm ( ) =
= {J1 (m ); N1 (m )} and the exponential functions Zm (z) = exp(±mz) with m = 0.
In case of m = 0 the solution functions are powers of .
4.5 Magnetic Field and Stationary Current Flow in a Cylinder 113

With H0 = I0 /(2πa) the ansatz for the magnetic field is

 ∞


H1 ( , z) = H0 + Ar J1 (x1r /a) exp(−x1r z/a) ; ≤ a, z ≥ 0
a r=1
 ∞

a 
H2 ( , z) = H0 + Br J1 (x1r /b) exp(x1r z/b) ; ≤ b; z ≤ 0.
b b r=1
The z-independent part describes the field for points |z|  b.
The unknown constants are the solution of a linear system of equations that results
from the evaluation of the boundary conditions in z = 0. From the continuity of the
magnetic field we obtain
⎧
  ⎪ 1
∞
a ∞ ⎨ /a + Ar J1 (x1r /a) ; ≤ a
+ Br J1 (x1r /b) = r=1
b b r=1 ⎪
⎩ a/ ; a ≤ ≤ b.

Making use of the orthogonality relation for Bessel functions results after multiplication
with J1 (x1s /b) and integration from = 0 to = b in
  ∞
a 1
S4 + Bs b2 J02 (x1s ) = S1 + Ar S2 + S3
b 2 r=1

with
a
ab
S1 = J1 (x1s /b) d = J2 (x1s a/b)
a x1s
0
a
x1r J1 (x1s a/b) J0 (x1r )
S2 = J1 (x1r /a) J1 (x1s /b) d =
(x1s /b)2 − (x1r /a)2
0
b
a ab
S3 = J1 (x1s /b) d = [J0 (x1s a/b) − J0 (x1s )]
x1s
a
b
b2
S4 = J1 (x1s /b) d = J2 (x1s ) .
b x1s
0

The result is a linear system of equations

∞
1 b 2 J1 (x1s a/b) x1r J0 (x1r )
J0 (x1s ) Bs = 2 +J 1 (x1s a/b) Ar ; s = 1, 2, 3, . . . .
2 a (x1s a/b) 2
r=1
(x1s a/b)2 − x21r
114 4 Magnetic Field of Stationary Currents

Because of the homogeneous conductivity the tangential component of the current

density J is continuous in z = 0 and < a:
 
∂H1  ∂H2 
J |z>0,z→0 = J |z<0,z→0 ⇒ = ⇒
∂z z=0 ∂z z=0
∞ ∞
x1r a  x1r
− Ar J1 (x1r /a) = Br J1 (x1r /b) ; < a.
r=1
a b r=1 b

Now multiplication with J1 (x1s /a) and integration from = 0 to = a leads to

∞
2 a J1 (x1r a/b)
As = x1r a/b Br 2 ,
J0 (x1s ) b r=1 x1s − (x1r a/b)2

where the previously defined integral values have been used again.
Therewith all constants are defined by a system of equations and hence the magnetic
field is known.
The current density is calculated by

 = −e ∂H + ez 1 ∂ ( H)
J = rot H
∂z ∂
and finally
 ∞


J1 ( , z) = H0 /a 2ez + x1r Ar ez J0 (x1r /a) + e J1 (x1r /a) exp(−x1r z/a)
r=1

 ∞


J2 ( , z) = H0 a/b2 2ez − x1r Br e J1 (x1r /b) − ez J0 (x1r /b) exp(x1r z/b) .
r=1
For z → ±∞ the current densities are homogeneous:

J1 = 2H0 /a = I0 /(πa2 ) and J2 = 2H0 a/b2 = I0 /(πb2 ).

4.6 Force on a Conductor Loop in Front of a Permeable Sphere

Consider a circular conductor loop at position (r = b; ϑ = ϑ0 ) in front of a permeable

sphere of radius a < b and permeability μ. The remaining space is of permittivity μ0
and the loop carries the current I.
What is the force acting on the conductor loop? Analyze the limit μ → ∞. Finally
derive the result for the field of a permeable sphere, when the exciting field is homo-
geneous.
4.6 Force on a Conductor Loop in Front of a Permeable Sphere 115

# 0

b
a r
#

¹ 0 ¹

It is practical to use the scalar magnetic potential Vm to calculate the magnetic field
H = −grad Vm . At first the exciting potential Vme of the conductor loop in the
homogeneous space of permeability μ0 is determined. For this purpose we consider the
magnetic dipole layer m  m = r/rμ0 I = r/r mm on the spherical cap (r = b, ϑ < ϑ0 ),
that replaces the conductor loop equivalently.
The scalar magnetic potential

1 r
Vme = m
m da
4πμ0 r3
a

must satisfy the boundary condition

 mm
Vme | r>b −Vme | r<b = = I
r→b r→b 0≤ϑ≤ϑ0 μ0
on r = b. It is a solution of Laplace’s equation ΔVme = 0, thus:
⎧ ⎫
∞ ⎨
 An (b/r)n+1 ⎬ r>b
Vme = Pn (cos ϑ);
⎩ Bn (r/b)n ⎭ r<b
n=0

 e = −grad Vme = −er ∂Vme − eϑ 1 ∂Vme .

H
∂r r ∂ϑ
116 4 Magnetic Field of Stationary Currents

The continuity of the normal component of the magnetic flux density

   
 
r/r B −  
B = 0
r>b r<b
r→b r→b

gives  
∂Vme  ∂Vme 
μ0 = μ0
∂r  r>b ∂r  r<b
r→b r→b

n
⇒ −(n + 1) An = n Bn ; An = −
Bn .
n+1
And from the boundary condition for the potential at the dipole layer we get
⎧
∞ ⎨ I ; 0≤ϑ<ϑ
0
(An − Bn ) Pn (cos ϑ) = .
⎩ 0 ; ϑ0 < ϑ ≤ π
n=0

The unknown constants are derived by means of the orthogonality of the Legendre
polynomials Pn . With u = cos ϑ and u0 = cos ϑ0 we get

∞
 +1 1
(An − Bn ) · Pn (u)Pk (u)du =I Pk (u)du
n=0 −1 u0
& '( )
$
2/(2k + 1) ; n = k
=
0 ; n = k
1
2 Pn+1 − Pn−1 
(An − Bn ) = I  ; Pn (1) = 1
2n + 1 2n + 1 u0

I 2n + 1 2n + 1
An − Bn = [Pn−1 (u0 ) − Pn+1 (u0 )] = − Bn = An
2 n+1 n

Pn−1 (u0 ) − Pn+1 (u0 ) I I

Kn = ; An = n Kn ; Bn = −(n + 1) Kn .
2n + 1 2 2

It should be noted, that the complementary magnetic dipole layer −r/rμ0 I on the
spherical segment (r = b; ϑ0 < ϑ ≤ π) would lead to the same result.
After insertion of the permeable sphere the approach for the resulting potential Vm
with ΔVm = 0 becomes
⎧ ⎫ ⎧ ⎫
⎨ V ⎬  ∞ ⎨
Cn (a/r)n+1 ⎬ r>a
me
Vm = + Pn (cos ϑ) ; .
⎩ 0 ⎭ ⎩ Dn (r/a)n ⎭ r<a
n=0
4.6 Force on a Conductor Loop in Front of a Permeable Sphere 117

For points r < a the exciting potential has the same dependencies on the coordinates
and ϑ as the added potential, thus it is omitted here.

The tangential component of the magnetic field and accordingly the potential is con-
tinuous in r = a:
I  a n
−(n + 1) Kn + Cn = Dn .
2 b
A second condition is the continuity of the magnetic flux density in r = a:
  a n−1 1 
1 n
μ0 Bn n − (n + 1) Cn = μ Dn .
b b a a

Hence the solution is

n(n + 1)(1 − μ0 /μ) I  a n

Cn = Kn
n + (n + 1)μ0 /μ 2 b

(n + 1)(2n + 1)μ0 /μ I  a n
Dn = − Kn .
n + (n + 1)μ0 /μ 2 b

In the limit μ → μ0 again only the exciting potential remains. The limit μ → ∞ leads
to
I  a n
Cn |μ→∞ = (n + 1) Kn ; Dn |μ→∞ = 0
2 b

I 
∞  a n  a n+1
Vm |μ→∞ = Vme + (n + 1) Kn Pn (cos ϑ) ; r≥a
2 n=1 b r
a

= Vme (r, ϑ) − Vme a2 /r, ϑ ; r≥a.

r

This relation is the method of images for magnetic fields at highly permeable spheres.
Unlike the method of images for permeable half-spaces and permeable cylinders, in
case of the sphere we can write this law only for μ → ∞.

For ϑ0 = π/2, b  a, and I/b = const the exciting magnetic field acting on the sphere
is almost homogeneous and z-directed

 e = ez H0 = ez I/(2b) = (er cos ϑ − eϑ sin ϑ) H0 =

H
= −grad Vme |b→∞ = grad (H0 r cos ϑ) .

Thus in the approach for the resulting potential we just need terms with n = 1.
118 4 Magnetic Field of Stationary Currents

Hence the resulting potential is

⎧ ⎫
⎨ B (r/b) + C (a/r)2 ⎬
1 1
Vm |b→∞ = P1 (cos ϑ)
⎩ D1 (r/a) ⎭
⎧ ⎫
⎨ r/a − 1 − μ0 /μ (a/r)2 ⎪
⎪ ⎬ r≥a
1 + 2μ0 /μ
= −H0 a cos ϑ ;
⎪
⎩ 3μ0 /μ (r/a) ⎪
⎭ r ≤ a.
1 + 2μ0 /μ

The force acting on the conductor loop with contour C is z-directed.

  
F = I ds × B  s = ez F ; F = I  s ) = −I (ez × B
ez (ds × B  s )ds
C C C

ez = er cos ϑ − eϑ sin ϑ ;  s = er Bsr + eϑ Bsϑ ;

B ds = b sin ϑ0 eϕ dϕ

This results in

F = −I b sin ϑ0 2π [cos ϑ0 Bsϑ (b, ϑ0 ) + sin ϑ0 Bsr (b, ϑ0 )]

 s = −μ0 grad (Vm − Vme )

B

(n + 1)  a n+2
∞
∂
Bsr (b, ϑ0 ) = −μ0 (Vm − Vme )| r=b = μ0 Cn Pn (cos ϑ0 )
∂r ϑ=ϑ0
n=0
a b

μ0 ∂ μ0 
∞  a n+1
Bsϑ (b, ϑ0 ) = − (Vm − Vme )| r=b = Cn Pn (cos ϑ0 ) sin ϑ0
r ∂ϑ ϑ=ϑ0 b n=0 b
∞
  a n+1 " #
F = −2π μ0 I sin2 ϑ0 Cn (n + 1) Pn (cos ϑ0 ) + cos ϑ0 Pn (cos ϑ0 ) .
n=0
b

4.7 Shielding of a Homogeneous Magnetic Field by a

Permeable Hollow Cylinder

Consider a permeable hollow cylinder of permeability μ and with radii = a and

= b > a. The remaining space is of permeability μ0 . An homogeneous exciting field
 e = ex He is acting in perpendicular direction to the cylinder axis.
H

Calculate the resulting magnetic field H  and the screening factor ηs = |H  e |/|H|
 for
points inside the cylinder < a. In addition, give the limits μ = μ0 and μ → ∞.
4.7 Shielding of a Homogeneous Magnetic Field by a Hollow Cylinder 119

H e

'
a
x

¹ ¹
b 0

The homogeneous field might emerge from two homogeneous current sheets in planes
y = const with current flow in opposite z-direction. Thus it is possible to describe the
 = ez A( , ϕ).
magnetic field by a z-directed vector potential A
 e = ez Ae ( , ϕ) of the exciting field the magnetic flux density
From the vector potential A
  
Be = rot Ae = μ0 He = ex μ0 He is calculated to
 
 ∂Ae eϕ ∂Ae e ∂Ae ∂Ae
Be = grad Ae × ez = e + × ez = − eϕ
∂ ∂ϕ ∂ϕ ∂

= μ0 He = μ0 He ex = μ0 He [e cos ϕ − eϕ sin ϕ]
1 ∂Ae ∂Ae
= μ0 He cos ϕ ; = μ0 He sin ϕ .
∂ϕ ∂
The vector potential satisfies the differential equation ΔAe ( , ϕ) = 0 and the general
solution is
∞

Ae ( , ϕ) = (a0 + b0 ln ) (c0 + d0 ϕ) + (an n + bn −n ) (cn cos(nϕ) + dn sin(nϕ)) .
n=1

Because of the given exciting field only the solutions with n = 1 are needed and
furthermore b1 = 0, c1 = 0, and d1 = 1.

⇒ Ae ( , ϕ) = a1 sin ϕ = μ0 He sin ϕ

Accordingly the ansatz for the resulting vector potential A( , ϕ) in presence of the
cylinder is
⎧ ⎫
⎪
⎪ a1 /a ⎪
⎪ ≤a
⎨ ⎬
A( , ϕ) = μ0 He b a2 /a + b2 a/ sin(ϕ) ; a≤ ≤b
⎪
⎪ ⎪
⎪
⎩ ⎭
/b + b3 b/ ≥ b.
120 4 Magnetic Field of Stationary Currents

y = a

-1

-2

-2 -1 0 1 2 x = a

Fig. 4.7–1: Magnetic lines of force for μ/μ0 = 10 and b/a = 1.5

The evaluation of the boundary conditions leads to the unknown constants. The conti-
nuity of the normal component of the magnetic flux density is identical to the continuity
of the vector potential:
 a 2 a
a1 = a2 + b 2 ; a2 + b 2 = (1 + b3 ) .
b b
Another two equations follow from the continuity of the tangential component Hϕ of
the magnetic field:
μ0  a 2 μ a
a1 = (a2 − b2 ) ; a2 − b 2 = (1 − b3 ) .
μ b μ0 b
Now there are four equations for four unknowns. With k = (μ − μ0 )/(μ + μ0 ) and
4.7 Shielding of a Homogeneous Magnetic Field by a Hollow Cylinder 121

´ s

4
1 0

a = b = { 0 .1 ; 2 /3 ; 0 .8 ; 0 .9 ; 0 .9 5 ; 0 .9 9 }

3
1 0

a = b

2
1 0

1
1 0

0
1 0
1 0 0
1 0 1 1 0 2
1 0 3
1 0 4 ¹ = ¹ 0

Fig. 4.7–2: Screening factor in dependence on the permeability

M = (1 + μ0 /μ)(1 − k 2 (a/b)2 ) the solutions are

2 (a/b) k 2 a/b a 1−k 2(1 − k(a/b)2 )

b2 = − ; a2 = ; a1 = 2 ; b3 = −1.
M M b M M

In the limit μ → μ0 the results are

a1 |μ→μ0 = a/b ; a2 |μ→μ0 = a/b ; b2 |μ→μ0 = 0 ; b3 |μ→μ0 = 0

and it remains only the exciting potential.

The other case of a very high permeability results in the limit μ → ∞ in

−2a/b
a1 |μ→∞ = 0 ; b2 |μ→∞ = ; a2 |μ→∞ = −b2 |μ→∞ ; b3 |μ→∞ = 1 .
1 − (a/b)2

The magnetic field vanishes inside the cylinder < b and on the cylinder = b the
field has only a radial component H .
122 4 Magnetic Field of Stationary Currents

With a finite permeability the magnetic field inside the cylinder < a is constant.
   a
 1 e ∂A ∂A 1 a1
H = − eϕ = He b e cos ϕ − eϕ sin ϕ
μ0 ∂ϕ ∂ a a

a1 b
= He b [e cos ϕ − eϕ sin ϕ] = ex He a1
a a
 = ex He 2(1 − k)
H .
(1 + μ0 /μ)[1 − k 2 (a/b)2 ]
 e |/|H|
Hence the screening factor ηs = |H  is
  a 2 
1 (μ + μ0 )2
ηs = 1 − k2 .
4 μμ0 b

4.8 Mutual Inductance of Plane Conductor Loops

Consider two thin conductor loops of infinite extension in axial direction at positions
(r11 , r12 ) and (r21 , r22 ). The half-space y > 0, that contains the conductor loops, is of
permeability μ0 and the half-space y ≤ 0 is of permeability μ.
Calculate the mutual inductance of the two conductor loops per unit length.

r 2 2
r 1 1

y
r 2 1 r 1 2
¹ 0

A current I in the loop at positions (r11 ; r12 ) induces a magnetic flux Ψm per unit
length l through the second loop.
 
Ψm /l = B da/l =  ds/l = A(r21 ) − A(r22 ) ;
A B = rot A

a C
4.8 Mutual Inductance of Plane Conductor Loops 123

y
m a
a a '
m a
a r 1 2

r r 2 2
2 1
¹ 0
a
r 1 1

x
2 a ¹

ª m = (lI )
L 0 = l

m
2

-2

-4

0 ¼ = 2 ¼ 3 ¼ = 2 ' 2 ¼

Fig. 4.8–1: Design (top) and normalized flux Ψm /(lI) (bottom) in dependence on the
angle ϕ
Parameters: μ/μ0 = 100, L0 /l = μ/(4π), m = 0.5; 0.7; 0.9
124 4 Magnetic Field of Stationary Currents

The vector potential A( r ) = ez A(r ) can be calculated from the currents ±I of the
∗
exciting loop at positions (r11 ; r12 ) and the image currents kI at r11 = r11 − 2ey (ey r11 )
∗
and −kI at r12 = r12 − 2ey (ey r12 ) in the homogeneous space of permeability μ0 .
 ∗

μ0 I |r − r11 | |r − r11 | μ − μ0
A = − ln + k ln ∗ | ; k =
2π |r − r12 | |r − r12 μ + μ0

The image currents describe the influence of the half-space z < 0 with permeability μ.

Therefore the flux trough the loop (r21 , r22 ) is

Ψm /l = A(r21 ) − A(r22 )
    ∗ ∗

μI |r21 − r11 | |r22 − r12 | |r21 − r11 | |r22 − r12 |
= − ln + k ln ∗ | | ∗ |
2π |r21 − r12 | |r22 − r11 | |r21 − r12 r22 − r11

and the mutual inductance is obtained by

L12 /l = L21 /l = (Ψm /l)/I .

4.9 Inductive Coupling between Conductor Loops

The plane z = 0 contains a conductor loop consisting of two parallel wires with distance
2a and infinite extension in axial direction. A second loop with contour C is positioned
as shown in the figure. The conductor loops should be magnetically decoupled.

What is the condition for the geometry parameters? Find the parameter d if b = 2a
and c = 3a.

The conductor loops are decoupled if the magnetic flux, that is excited by the first loop
and runs through the second loop, vanishes.

We assume, that the parallel conductors carry the currents ±I and thus own the vector
potential

 = −ez μI ln( 1 / 2 ) = −ez μI ln (x − a)2 + y 2

A .
2π 2π (x + a)2 + y 2

Then the magnetic flux

  
Ψm =  a =
Bd  da =
rot A  ds
A
a a C
4.9 Inductive Coupling between Conductor Loops 125

-a a b c d x

-h

through the second loop is

 
μI b−a d−a c−a
Ψm = − h ln + h ln − 2h ln
2π b+a d+a c+a
  2 
μIh (b − a)(d − a) c−a
= − ln − ln .
2π (b + a)(d + a) c+a

The conducting loops are decoupled if Ψm = 0, that is

 2
(b − a)(d − a) c−a
= .
(b + a)(d + a) c+a

Finally with b = 2a and c = 3a we get d = 7a.

5. Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

5.1 Current Distribution in a Layered Cylinder

A cylindrical conductor of conductivity κ1 and permeability μ1 in < a and of con-

ductivity κ2 and permeability μ2 in a < < b is electrically connected in = a and
carries the total current i(t) = Re{i0 exp(jωt)}.
Calculate the current distribution and the magnetic field.

k 2, ¹ 2
%
'
k 1, ¹ 1
i 0 a

e le c tric a l c o n n e c tio n

 of an axial vector potential.

The field is described by the complex amplitude A

d2 A 1 dA
 = ez A( ) ;
A  = rot A
B ; ΔA = + = α2 A ; α2 = jωκμ
d 2 d
Inside the conducting material the solution of the differential equation requires modified
Bessel functions.
⎧
⎪ I (α )
⎨ C1 0 1 ; <a
I0 (α1 a)
A( ) =
⎪
⎩ C 2 I0 (α2 ) + C 3 K0 (α2 ) ; a < < b
I0 (α2 a) K0 (α2 a)

2j
α21 = jωκ1 μ1 ; α22 = jωκ2 μ2 =
δ2
 = 1 rot [ez A] = −eϕ 1 ∂A = eϕ H( ) ;
H  = −jω A
E ; J = κE

μ μ ∂
With the boundary conditions

2πbH( = b) = i0 ; E( )| <a = E( )| >a ; H( )| >a = H( )| <a

→a →a →a →a

G.Mrozynski, M.Stallein, Electromagnetic Field Theory, DOI 10.1007/978-3-8348-2178-2_5,

© Springer Vieweg | Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden 2013
5.1 Current Distribution in a Layered Cylinder 127

1
|H( /b)|
|H 0 |
0.8

0.6 δ/b

0.4

0.2 κ1 /κ2 = 3

δ/b = {0.25, 0.333, 0.5, 100}

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 /b 1.2

3 κ1 /κ2 = 3
|J( /b)|
|J 0 | δ/b = {0.25, 0.333, 0.5, 100}
2.5
δ/b
2

1.5

0.5
δ/b

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 /b 1.2

Fig. 5.1–1: Magnitude of the magnetic field (top) and current density (bottom) for
different normalized skin depths δ/b and b/a = 2

H 0 = i0 /(2πb), J 0 = i0 /(πb2 )
128 5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

0.05
Im[i1 /i0 ] κ1 /κ2 = {0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5}
0
δ/b = 0.1 δ/b = 2
-0.05

-0.1

-0.15

-0.2

-0.25 κ1 /κ2

-0.3

-0.35
-0.1 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7
Re[i1 /i0 ]

0.35
Im[i2 /i0 ]
0.3
κ1 /κ2
0.25

0.2

0.15

0.1

0.05
δ/b = 2 δ/b = 0.1
0
κ1 /κ2 = {0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5}
-0.05
0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1 1.1
Re[i2 /i0 ]

Fig. 5.1–2: Parametric plot of the normalized currents i1 /i0 (top) and i2 /i0 (bottom)
in dependence on the normalized skin depth δ/b for different conductivity
ratios κ1 /κ2
5.2 Rotating Conductor Loop 129

the following equations for the unknown constants are derived.

C1 = C2 + C3 ; I0 = I1 ; K0 = −K1

 
I1 (α1 a) μ1 α2 I1 (α2 a) K1 (α2 a)
C1 = C2 − C3
I0 (α1 a) μ2 α1 I0 (α2 a) K0 (α2 a)

μ2 i0 I1 (α2 b) K1 (α2 b)
− = C2 − C3
2πα2 b I0 (α2 a) K0 (α2 a)
The constants follow from a straightforward solution of the equations.
Outside the conductor the field is given by
i0
H( ) = ; ≥ b.
2π

Finally the currents i1 and i2 in the conductors < a and a < < b are

2πa ∂A  α1 I1 (α1 a)
i1 = 2πa H(a) = − = −2πa C 1 ; i2 = i0 − i1 .
μ1 ∂ =a μ1 I0 (α1 a)

5.2 Rotating Conductor Loop

A thin conductor loop with rectangular contour C and dimensions 2a and b rotates
ω (t) = ez ω0 t/T around its axis (x = c < a; y = 0). In x ≤ 0
with angular velocity 
the loop is exposed to a homogeneous magnetic field H  = ey H. The whole space is of
permeability μ.
What is the voltage u(t) measured by a highly resistive voltmeter in the time interval,
when the loop rotates by an angle of 180◦ from its initial position in the plane x = c
at the time t = 0?
The induced voltage results from a contour integration of the vector v × B,  where
ω × r is the velocity of the conductor element at position r.
v = 
  
u(t) =  ds = μ (
v × B  ds = μ [r (ωH)
ω × r) × H  −ω (rH)]
 ds
& '( )
C C C =0

0 0
= −μ ez ω0 t/T (r(ey H)) (ez dz) = −μ H ω0 t/T r ey dz = −μH ab ω0 t/T cos(ϕ(t))
−b −b
130 5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

y
'

a
! (t)
z
c x
a

H = e yH
V

H = e yH

b ! (t) V

y x = c x

t
t2
ϕ(t) = ω(t ) dt = ω0
2T
0

u(t) = − μHab ω0 t/T cos(ω0 t2 /(2T )) ; t1 < t < t 2

& '( )
Ψm

 1/2
ω0 t21 2T
ϕ(t1 ) = arcsin (c/a) = ; t1 = arcsin (c/a)
2 T ω0

 1/2
ω0 t22 2T
ϕ(t2 ) = π − arcsin (c/a) = ; t2 = (π − arcsin (c/a))
2 T ω0
5.3 Force Caused by an Induced Current Distribution inside a Conducting Sphere 131


The result for t < 2π T /ω0 is
⎧
⎪
⎪
⎨ 0 ; 0 < t < t1
2
u(t) = −Ψm ω0 t/T cos(ω0 t /(2T )) ; t1 < t < t2
⎪
⎪ 
⎩
0 ; t2 < t < 2πT /ω0 .

5.3 Force Caused by an Induced Current Distribution

inside a Conducting Sphere

A thin conductor loop that carries the current i = i0 cos(ωt + ϕ) = Re{i0 exp(jωt)} is
positioned at (r = b; ϑ = ϑ0 ) in front of a sphere with radius a < b and conductivity
κ. The permeability μ is constant.

Calculate the induced current distribution and determine the force acting on the con-
ductor loop. Use the result to analyze the limit cases, where the exciting field is
homogeneous and where the source is a magnetic dipole. Furthermore calculate the
limit of a high-frequency stimulation (ω → ∞).

i 0

b
# 0

# r

k , ¹
a
k = 0 , ¹
132 5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

Differential Equation and Solution Functions

The complex amplitude of the vector potential is ϕ-directed throughout the space

 = rot A
;  = eϕ A(r, ϑ) ; ∂A
B A = 0.
∂ϕ
In r < a it must satisfy the skin effect equation
∂
rot rot (eϕ A) = −κμ eϕ A ; rot rot (eϕ A) = −jωκμeϕA
∂t
and in r > a, r = b because of κ = 0 the equation

rot rot (eϕ A) = 0 .

With spherical coordinates (r, ϑ, ϕ) the skin effect equation for A reads
 
∂2A ∂A ∂ 1 ∂
r2 + 2r + (sin ϑ A) = jωκμA · r2 = (αr)2 A ,
∂r2 ∂r ∂ϑ sin ϑ ∂ϑ

where the curl operator rot F in spherical coordinates

 
 e 
 r eϑ r eϕ r sin ϑ 
1  

rot F = 2  ∂/∂r ∂/∂ϑ ∂/∂ϕ 
r sin ϑ  

 Fr r Fϑ r sin ϑ Fϕ 

has been applied two times on the vector A = eϕ A. We try to find a solution of the
differential equation by means of the product:

A = R(r) · Θ(ϑ) .

This leads to
 2
  
1 2 d R dR 1 d 1 d
r + 2r + (Θ sin ϑ) −(αr)2 = 0 .
R dr2 dr Θ dϑ sin ϑ dϑ
& '( )
−n(n + 1)

With the substitution u = cos ϑ

d d du d  d
= = − sin ϑ = − 1 − u2 ; n = 0, 1, 2, . . .
dϑ du d ϑ du du
the differential equation for Θ(u) becomes
   
d
dΘ 1
1 − u2 + n(n + 1) − Θ = 0.
du du 1 − u2
5.3 Force Caused by an Induced Current Distribution inside a Conducting Sphere 133

This is a special case of the more general differential equation

   
d

2 dΘ m2
1−u + n(n + 1) − Θ = 0.
du du 1 − u2
The solutions are the spherical harmonics Pnm (u) and Qm
n (u), that restrict to m = 1
in this case. Furthermore the functions of second kind Q1n (u) must be omitted as
they increase unbounded for points u = ±1, i.e. ϑ = 0, π, which are part of the
computational domain.
For the function R(r) the following differential equation remains.
d2 R dR " #
r2 2
+ 2r − n(n + 1) + (αr)2 R = 0 ; α2 = jωκμ = 2j/δ 2
dr dr
Its solution are the modified spherical Bessel functions
 
π π
Rn (αr) = In+ 21 (αr) and Tn (αr) = K 1 (αr) .
2αr 2αr n+ 2
Here only the functions Rn (αr) have to be regarded, because the functions Tn (αr) are
unbounded for r → 0.
Thus, all solution functions of the skin effect equation for a ϕ-directed vector potential
inside a conducting sphere are known.
In r > a outside the sphere α2 = 0 holds. The differential equation for the function
Θ(ϑ) applies unmodified and the differential equation for R becomes
d2 R dR
r2 + 2r − n(n + 1)R = 0 .
dr2 dr
Solutions of this equation are the functions rn and r−(n+1) .
Exciting Potential in the Homogeneous Space
A first step to the solution of the current problem is the determination of the exciting
 e = eϕ Ae (r, ϑ) of the conductor loop at position (r = b; ϑ = ϑ0 ),
vector potential A
when the surrounding space is homogeneous and of permeability μ.
For this purpose we replace the loop by a current sheet K(ϑ) on the sphere r = b, that
is ϕ-directed and depends on the coordinate ϑ. In the surrounding medium outside of
the surface r = b the vector potential must satisfy

rot rot (eϕ Ae ) = 0,

thus with the considerations of the previous section the solution is:
⎧ ⎫
∞ ⎨ B n+1 ⎬
r>b
n (b/r)
Ae = Pn1 (cos ϑ) ; .
⎩ ⎭
n=1 C n (r/b)n r<b
134 5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

Here the solution n = 0 vanishes, because of P01 = 0.

In the boundary layer r = b the normal component of the magnetic flux density is
continuous and as a consequence, the potential itself is continuous. Thus

Bn = C n .

A second condition follows from the boundary condition for the tangential component
 = 1/μB
of the magnetic field H  = 1/μ rot A  .
e e e
   
 
eϑ rot A  
− A  = μK(ϑ)
r<b 
e e
r>b r→b

With the previously given expression for the curl-operator in spherical coordinates it
follows
1 ∂ "
#
r Ae |r<b − Ae |r>b r→b = μK(ϑ)
r ∂r
and with the expressions for Ae
   
n + 1  r n
∞ n+1
n b
Bn + Pn1 (cos ϑ) = μ K (ϑ) .
n=1
r r r b
r=b

Now multiplication with Pi1 (cos ϑ) sin ϑ and integration leads to

∞
 π π
(2n + 1)B n Pn1 (cos ϑ) Pi1 (cos ϑ) sin ϑ d ϑ = μ b K (ϑ) Pi1 (cos ϑ) sin ϑ d ϑ
n=1 0 0

and due to the orthogonality of the spherical harmonics

⎧
π ⎪
⎨ (n + m)! 2
; i = n
m m
Pn (cos ϑ) Pi (cos ϑ) sin ϑ d ϑ = (n − m)! 2n +1
⎪
⎩ 0
0 ; i = n

the result is
π
(n + 1)! 2
(2n + 1)B n = μ Pn1 (cos ϑ0 ) sin ϑ0 K (ϑ)b d ϑ .
(n − 1)! 2n + 1
0
& '( )
i0

The current sheet K(ϑ) vanishes except for ϑ = ϑ0 and thus the integral on the right
yields the current i0 . Hence the constants are determined.

μ i0 sin ϑ0 Pn1 (cos ϑ0 )

C n = Bn =
2n (n + 1)
5.3 Force Caused by an Induced Current Distribution inside a Conducting Sphere 135

Field in Presence of the Conducting Sphere

After inserting the conducting sphere the vector potential of the induced current dis-
tribution must be superposed to the exciting potential Ae . In the preliminary section
the following solution has been derived for r < a:
∞
μ i0 sin ϑ0 
A = Dn Rn (αr) Pn1 (cos ϑ0 ) Pn1 (cos ϑ) .
2 n=1

Here Dn is a suitably chosen constant. In r > a applies

∞  n+1
μi0 sin ϑ0  b
A = Ae + En Pn1 (cos ϑ0 )Pn1 (cos ϑ) = Ae + AS .
2 n=1
r

This approach already satisfies all boundary conditions in r = b. The evaluation of the
boundary conditions in r = a leads to the new constants Dn and E n .
From the continuity of the normal component of the magnetic flux density in r = a
follows the continuity of the vector potential.
n
(a/b) n+1
Dn Rn (αa) = + E n (b/a)
n(n + 1)
A second equation follows from the continuity of the tangential component of the
magnetic field    
∂  ∂  
(r A) − (r A) 
 = 0
∂r r<a ∂r r>a r→a
with the result
 n+1
1  a n b
Dn [Rn (αa) + αa Rn (αa)] = Dn [(n + 1) Rn + αa Rn+1 ] = −n En .
n b a
Here it is
αr Rn (αr) = [n Rn (αr) + αr Rn+1 (αr)]
and the recurrence relation reads

(2n + 1) Rn (αr) + αr Rn+1 (αr) = αr Rn−1 (αr) .

Now, multiplying the first equation by n and adding the second equation yields
2n + 1  a n
Dn [(2n + 1) Rn (αa) + αa Rn+1 (αa)] =
& '( ) n(n + 1) b
αa Rn−1 (αa)

2n + 1 (a/b)n (a/b)2n+1 Rn+1 (αa)

Dn = ; En = − .
n(n + 1) αa Rn−1 (αa) n(n + 1) Rn−1 (αa)
136 5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

Hence the vector potential in r ≤ a is

∞
μ i0 sin ϑ0  2n + 1 Rn (αr)  a n
A= Pn1 (cos ϑ0 ) Pn1 (cos ϑ) ; r ≤ a.
2 n=1
n(n + 1) αa R n−1 (αa) b

In this problem the current density J can be derived by the time derivative of the
vector potential.
J = −jωκA  = eϕ J

2n + 1 Rn (αr)  a n 1
∞
1 i0
J(r, ϑ) = − αa sin ϑ0 Pn (cos ϑ0 )Pn1 (cos ϑ)
2 a2 n=1
n(n + 1) Rn−1 (αa) b

In the limit ω → 0 it follows with the asymptotic expansion for spherical Bessel func-
tions
(αr)n
Rn (αr) |α→0 ≈
1 · 3 · 5 · · · (2n + 1)
   r n
Rn (αr)  (αr)n 
 1
= = .
αa Rn−1 (αa) α→0 (2n + 1)(αa)n α→0  2n + 1 a

Thus the vector potential is

μi0 sin ϑ0 
∞
1  r n
A|ω→0 = Pn1 (cos ϑ0 ) Pn1 (cos ϑ) = Ae .
2 n=1
n(n + 1) b

As expected only the exciting potential remains. The differential equation for the
magnetic lines of force at the time t = 0 is

 = ds × rot [eϕ Re{A(r, ϑ)}] = 0 .

ds × Re{B}

However, in the present case it is easier to evaluate the magnetic flux

  
Ψm = 
Bda = 
rot A da = A ds = const .
a a C

Because of the rotational symmetry the closed paths C are concentric circles around
the z-axis and we obtain the equation

Ψm = r sin ϑ Re {A(r, ϑ)} = const

for the magnetic lines of force.

5.3 Force Caused by an Induced Current Distribution inside a Conducting Sphere 137

Sphere Excited by a Homogeneous Field H 0

If the conductor loop is positioned in the plane ϑ0 = π/2 and if its radius is large
compared to the radius of the sphere a/b  1, with i0 /b = const, then the expression
of the vector potential reduces to the first summation term:
3 i0 R1 (αr) 1
J(r, ϑ) = − sin ϑ0 αa P (cos ϑ0 ) P11 (cos ϑ)
4 ab R0 (αa) 1
π i0
with ϑ0 = ; P11 (cos ϑ) = sin ϑ and H0 =
2 2b
3 H0 R1 (αr)
J(r, ϑ) = − αa sin ϑ .
2 a R0 (αa)
Excitation by a Magnetic Dipole
For small angles ϑ0 the conductor loop can be replaced by a magnetic dipole of moment
 = ez μ i π(b sin ϑ0 )2 = ez M .
M 0

With
1
Pn1 (cos ϑ0 ) = sin ϑ0 Pn (cos ϑ0 ) ; Pn (1) = n(n + 1)
2
it follows
M αa 
∞  a n R (αr)
P 1 (cos ϑ) .
n
J(r, ϑ) = − (2n + 1)
4πμ (ab)2 n=1 b Rn−1 (αa) n

The High Frequency Limit

In the limit ω → ∞ and thus α2 = jωκμ → ∞ the constants E n in the vector potential
for points r ≥ a are given by
1  a 2n+1
E n |ω→∞ = − .
n(n + 1) b
The vector potential in r ≥ a becomes
  
r n  a n  a n+1
∞
μ i0 sin ϑ0  1
A|ω→∞ = − Pn1 (cos ϑ0 ) Pn1 (cos ϑ) .
2 n=1
n(n + 1) b b r
Now the current sheet on the sphere follows from

 
n × H  = eϕ K (ϑ)
= K
r=a
with the result
11 ∂
K(ϑ) = − (rA)|r>a,r→a,ω→∞
μ r ∂r
i0 sin ϑ0  2n + 1  a n 1
∞
= − Pn (cos ϑ0 ) Pn1 (cos ϑ) .
2a n=1
n(n + 1) b
138 5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

Force Acting on the Conductor Loop

In general the force on a conductor of volume v and current density J is calculated by


F = J × B
 dv.
v

Due to the symmetry we can write in the present case


F = i(t) ds × B S (r, t) = ez F (t)
C
 
F = i(t)  S ) = i(t)
ez (ds × B  S = −i(t)2πb sin ϑ0 BS |
(ez × ds)B ϑ=ϑ0 ;r=b .
C C

The flux density BS (t) is solely excited by the induced eddy currents, which follow
 with
from the vector potential A S
 ) exp(jωt)}.
BS = Re{e rot (A S

F (t) = −2πb sin ϑ0 i(t) [BSr (t) sin ϑ + BSϑ (t) cos ϑ]|r=b;ϑ=ϑ0
 
1 ∂ cos ϑ ∂
= −2πb sin ϑ0 i(t) (sin ϑAS ) − (rAS )
r ∂ϑ r ∂r r=b;ϑ=ϑ0
 
∂AS ∂AS
= −2π sin ϑ0 i(t) sin ϑ − cos ϑb
∂ϑ ∂r r=b;ϑ=ϑ0
∞
μ sin ϑ0 
AS (t) = A(t) − Ae (t) = Re {i0 E n exp(jωt)} (b/r)n+1 Pn1 (cos ϑ)Pn1 (cos ϑ0 )
2 n=1
u = cos ϑ ; u0 = cos ϑ0
1
∞
  
2
F = μπ(1 − u20 ) Re |i0 | E ∗n + i20 E n exp(2jωt) ·
2 n=1
 1

2 dPn
· (1 − u0 ) 1
− (n + 1)u0 Pn (u0 ) Pn1 (u0 ) = F + F∼
du0
& '( )
1
−nPn+1 (u0 )
With the recurrence relation for the spherical harmonics the result reads
∞
1 2
F = − μ |i0 | π(1 − u20 ) nRe {E n } Pn+11
(u0 )Pn1 (u0 )
2 n=1
∞  2 
1 2 i0
F∼ = − μ |i0 | π(1 − u20 ) nRe E
2 n
exp(2jωt) 1
Pn+1 (u0 )Pn1 (u0 ) .
2 n=1
|i 0 |
The force is zero if the conductor loop is located in the plane ϑ0 = π/2, because
1
Pn+1 (0) Pn1 (0) = 0.
5.3 Force Caused by an Induced Current Distribution inside a Conducting Sphere 139

z = a

-1
-2 -1 0 1 x = a 2
z = a

-1
-2 -1 0 1 x = a 2

Fig. 5.3–1: Magnetic lines of force for b/a = 1.5, ϑ0 = π/6, with
δ/a = 1 (top) and δ/a = 0.2 (bottom)

Skin depth δ = 2/(ωκμ)
140 5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

F
# = ¼ = 6
F 0
0

-1
b = a = { 1 .2 ; 1 .5 ; 2 }
1 0
b = a

-2
1 0

1 0 -3

0 0 .2 0 .4 0 .6 0 .8 1
± = a

Fig. 5.3–2: Average value of the force on the conductor loop as a function of the nor-
malized skin depth δ/a (F0 = μ0 |i0 |2 )

5.4 Impedance of a Coaxial Cable

The inner conductor of radius a and the outer conductor of radii b > a and c > b of a
coaxial cable have the conductivity κ. The permeability μ is constant.

Calculate the frequency-dependent impedance per unit length Z/l = R/l + jωL/l and
analyze the limits of high and low frequencies.

The complex amplitude of the axially directed vector potential A( ) = ez A( ) satisfies
the differential equation

2j
ΔA = α2 A ; α2 = jωκμ = .
δ2
The solution functions are the modified Bessel functions I0 (α ) and K0 (α ). As the
magnetic field follows from the derivative in radial direction

 = 1 rot [ez A( )] = −eϕ 1 ∂A = eϕ H( )

H
μ μ ∂

it is described by the functions I1 (α ) and K1 (α ).

If the coaxial cable carries the current i0 (positive z-directed in the inner conductor),
5.4 Impedance of a Coaxial Cable 141

k , ¹

k = 0 , ¹
%

k , ¹ '
a
i 0

i 0
b

then the magnetic field in the non-conducting area a ≤ ≤ b is

a i0
H( ) = H 0 ; H0 = .
2πa
Inside the inner conductor ≤ a the magnetic field is solely described by the function
I1 (α ) and takes the value H 0 on the boundary = a.
I1 (α )
H( ) = H 0 ; ≤a
I1 (αa)
The field in the outer conductor is given by a linear combination of both I1 (α ) and
K1 (α )
H( ) = C [I1 (α ) K1 (αc) − K1 (α ) I1 (αc)] ,
so that the field vanishes for ≥ c. Finally the constant C follows from the condition
H(b) = H 0 a/b, thus
a I1 (α ) K1 (αc) − K1 (α ) I1 (αc)
H( ) = H 0 ; b ≤ ≤ c.
b I1 (αb) K1 (αc) − K1 (αb) I1 (αc)

Inside the conducting material the electric field is given by J = κE = ez κE( ).
 

κE = rot H = ez 1 ∂ H( ) ; E( ) =

α H(α )
+ H  (α )
∂ κ α
⎧
⎪ I0 (α )
⎪
⎨ I (αa) ; <a
α 1
E( ) = H 0
κ ⎪
⎪ a I0 (α ) K1 (αc) + K0 (α ) I1 (αc)
⎩ ; b< <c
b I1 (αb) K1 (αc) − K1 (αb) I1 (αc)
142 5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

Now applying the complex Poynting theorem with S  = 1/2 E  ∗ and integration
 ×H
over the conductor surfaces aL leads to
 
P ve + 2jω W m = − S  daL = 1 |i |2 R + 1 jωμ |H|2 dvL .
2 0 2
aL vL

Here P ve is the time-averaged power loss and W m is the time-averaged energy of the
magnetic field in the conductor of volume vL . Hence it is

2  daL
R + jωLi = − 2 S
|i0 |
aL

with the frequency-dependent inner self-inductance Li and the frequency-dependent

resistance R.
For the present problem the result is
" # " #
−(P ve + 2jω W m )/l = πa ez E(a) × eϕ H ∗ (a) e + πb ez E(b) × eϕ H ∗ (b) (−e )

 
2πa b
R/l + jωLi /l = E(a) H ∗ (a) − ∗
E(b) H (b)
|i0 |2 a
 
1 α I0 (αa) a I0 (αb) K1 (αc) + K0 (αb) I1 (αc)
= − .
2πa κ I1 (αa) b I1 (αb) K1 (αc) − K1 (αb) I1 (αc)

For small frequencies (|z|  1) the approximations

1
I0 (z) ≈ 1 ; I1 (z) ≈ z/2 ; K0 (z) ≈ − ln z ; K1 (z) ≈
z
hold an the resistance per unit length is
 
1 a2
R/l|ω→0 = 1+ = R0 /l .
κπa2 c2 − b 2

For high frequencies (|z|  1) one can make use of the asymptotic expansions of the
modified Bessel functions
 
1 π
In (z) ≈ exp(z) ; Kn (z) ≈ exp(−z)
2πz 2z

with the result

1+j  a a
R/l + jωLi /l|ω→∞ ≈ 1+ ; αa = (1 + j) .
2πκaδ b δ
5.4 Impedance of a Coaxial Cable 143

R = R 0
1
! L i= R 0

0
0 2 4 6 8 a = ± 1 0

Fig. 5.4–1: Real- and imaginary part of the impedance as a function of the normalized
reciprocal skin depth a/δ for b/a = 1.5

The frequency-dependent outer self-inductance La /l per unit length follows from the
time-averaged energy W ma /l of the field in the non-conducting area. The integral of
the energy density over the cross-section aq gives

  
1  ∗ daq =
1/4La/l|i0 |2 = W ma /l = Re HB
4
aq

b b
1 1 d
= πμ |H( )| d = πμ |H 0 |2 a2
2
2 2
a a

μ
⇒ La /l = ln(b/a) .
2π

Finally the impedance per unit length is given by

Z/l = R/l + jωL/l ; L = La + Li .

144 5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

5.5 Induced Current Distribution in the

Conducting Half-Space

Consider a conducting half-space y ≤ 0 of permeability μ and conductivity κ. In the

non-conducting half-space y > 0 of permeability μ0 the plane y = c carries the current
sheet
K = ez K0 cos (π x/a) cos(ωt + ϕ) .

Find the induced current distribution and calculate the time-averaged power loss in a
section 2a on the x-axis per unit length in z-direction. Analyze the limits ω → 0 and
ω → ∞.
y

K = e z K 0 c o s(¼ x = a ) c o s(! t+ ' )

¹ 0 , k = 0

x
¹ ,k

 = ez A(x, y), that satisfies the

The field is described by a z-directed vector potential A
differential equation
⎧
∂2A ∂2A ⎨ α2 A ; y < 0 2j
ΔA = + = ; α2 = jωκμ = 2 .
∂x2 ∂y 2 ⎩ 0 ; y > 0 ; y = c δ

 (x, y) = ez A (x, y) is calculated, that is excited, when

At first the complex potential Ae e
the surrounding space of the current sheet

K(x) = K0 exp(jϕ) cos(πx/a) = K 0 cos(πx/a)

is homogeneous with permeability μ0 . The solution of the differential equation

∂ 2 Ae ∂ 2 Ae
ΔAe (x, y) = 2
+ = 0; y = c
∂x ∂y 2
is according to the excitation given by

Ae (x, y) = C cos(π x/a) exp(−π|y − c|/a) .

5.5 Induced Current Distribution in the Conducting Half-Space 145

 = ex H + ey H is derived by

From this, the magnetic field H e ex ey
 
 = 1 rot [ez A (x, y)] = 1 ex ∂Ae − ey ∂Ae .
H e e
μ0 μ0 ∂y ∂x

The evaluation of the boundary condition

[H ex (x, y < c) − H ex (x, y > c)]y→c = K 0 cos(π x/a)

leads to the constant

μ0 aK 0
C = .
2π
In the presence of the conducting half-space the resulting vector potential A(x, y) must
satisfy the differential equation ΔA = α2 A in y ≤ 0. An appropriate approach is
⎧
μ0 aK 0  x ⎨ exp(−π|y − c|/a) + C 1 exp(−πy/a) ; y > 0

A(x, y) = cos π
2π a ⎩ C exp((π/a)2 + α2 y) ; y < 0.
2

The constants C 1 and C 2 follow from the boundary conditions in y = 0. In this case
 is equivalent to the
the continuity of the y-component of the magnetic flux density B
continuity of the vector potential:

exp(−πc/a) + C 1 = C 2 .

The continuity of the tangential component of the magnetic field requires

1 1
B x (x, y > 0)|y→0 = B (x, y < 0)|y→0
μ0 μ x
  
μ ∂A(x, y > 0) ∂A(x, y < 0) 
⇔ = 
μ0 ∂y y→0 ∂y y→0

⇔ μ/μ0 π/a [exp(−πc/a) − C 1 ] = (π/a)2 + α2 C 2
2πμ/μ0
⇒ C2 =  exp(−πc/a)
πμ/μ0 + π 2 + (αa)2

πμ/μ0 − π 2 + (αa)2
⇒ C1 =  exp(−πc/a) .
πμ/μ0 + π 2 + (αa)2
Hence the magnetic field is determined.
The limit α → 0 or rather ω → 0 leads to the result

C 2 |ω→0 = (1 + k) exp(−πc/a) ; C 1 |ω→0 = k exp(−πc/a)

146 5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

y = a

0 .5

-0 .5

-1
-1 0 x = a 1

y = a

0 .5

-0 .5
-1 0 x = a 1

Fig. 5.5–1: Magnetic lines of force for c/a = 0.2, μ/μ0 = 10, and δ/a = 1 (top) and
δ/a = 0.2 (bottom)
5.5 Induced Current Distribution in the Conducting Half-Space 147

k = (μ − μ0 )/(μ + μ0 ) .
Here we can recognize the method of images for vector potentials of stationary magnetic
fields at a permeable half-space, where the exciting vector potential, like in the present
case, has no y-component:
⎧
 ⎨ A  e (x, y) + k A
 e (x, −y) ; y ≥ 0
 y)
A(x, = ; e = 0
ey A
ϕ=0
⎩ 
ω→0 (1 + k) Ae (x, y) ; y≤0

with A e (x, y) = A (x, y) .
e ϕ=0

At high frequencies it is
C 1 |ω→∞ = − exp(−πc/a)
and the vector potential becomes

 y)
A(x,  e (x, −y) ;
= Ae (x, y) − A y>0;  e = 0.
ey A
ϕ=0
ω→∞

This is the method of images for a conducting half-space with high-frequency excitation
in y > 0, which is different to the method for stationary fields at a high-permeable half-
space: 
 y) ϕ=0 = A
A(x,  e (x, y) + A
 e (x, −y) ; y > 0 ; e = 0 .
ey A
ω→0
μ→∞

With a high-frequency excitation the field vanishes in y ≤ 0 and the plane y = 0 carries
a current sheet
0 0
K(x) = J(x, y)dy = −κjω A(x, y)dy
−∞ −∞

 x 
jωκμ0 aK 0 1 
= − cos π C2  
2π a (π/a)2 + α2 ω→∞

 x 1 α2 
μ0 aK 0 
= − cos π C2  
2π a μ (π/a) + α ω→∞
2 2


 x  1 2πμ/μ 
μ0 aK 0 0 
= − cos π exp(−πc/a) α
2π a μ αa 
ω→∞
   
1 ∂Ae   
= −2 = 2 ey × H ez .
μ0 ∂y y=0 e
y=0

Hence the high-frequency current sheet can be calculated directly from the exciting
magnetic field.
148 5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

The time-averaged power loss P v /l in a section 2a on the x-axis per unit length in
z-direction is
2a  
1 ∗
 ×H
P v /l = − Re E ey dx
2 y=0
x=0
2a
1
= − Re {ez E(x, y = 0) × ex H ∗ (x, y = 0)} ey dx
2
x=0
⎧ 2a ⎫
1 ⎨  ⎬
= − Re E(x, 0) H ∗ (x, 0) dx
2 ⎩ ⎭
x=0
⎧ 2a ⎫
⎨  ∗ ⎬
1 
1 ∂A(x, y < 0) 
= − Re −jωA(x, y = 0)  dx
2 ⎩ μ ∂y y→0 ⎭
x=0
⎧ 2a %
1 ⎨  μ20 a2 |K 0 |2  x  |C |2  ∗
2
= Re jω cos2 π (π/a)2 + α2 dx
2 ⎩ 4π 2 a μ
x=0
 2  
|K | 2
μ0 
P v /l = − 02 |C 2 |2 Re (αa)2 π 2 + (αa)2 .
8π κ μ

Finally the equation for the magnetic lines of force is given by

 = ds × 1/μ rot [ez A(x, y)] = 1/μ ds × (grad A × ez )
ds × H
⎡ ⎤
⎢ ⎥
= 1/μ ⎣grad A (ds ez ) −ez (ds grad A)⎦ = 0 ,
& '( ) & '( )
=0 dA
thus at the time t = 0 it is Re {A(x, y)} = const .

5.6 Induced Current Distribution by a Moving Conductor

A y-directed current sheet in z = 0 moves with constant velocity v in positive x-

direction. At the time t = 0 it is described by

K(x, t = 0) = ey K0 cos (π x/a) .

In z > 0 the permeability is μ1 and the conductivity is κ1 , whereas in z < 0 the

permeability is μ2 and the conductivity is κ2 .
Find the induced current distribution and analyze the limit of a high velocity v.
5.6 Induced Current Distribution by a Moving Conductor 149

z = a
¹ 1, k 1

v K (x , t= 0 ) = e y K 0 c o s(¼ x = a )

0 x = a

¹ 2, k 2

 = ey A(x, z), that satisfies the

The field is described by a y-directed vector potential A
differential equation

∂2A ∂2A ∂A  = μH  = ez ∂A − ex ∂A .

 = rot A
ΔA = 2
+ 2
= κμ ; B
∂x ∂z ∂t ∂x ∂z

In the moving coordinate system (ξ = x − vt, z) applies

∂A ∂A ∂ξ ∂A ∂2A ∂2A ∂A
= = −v ; 2
+ 2
+ κμv = 0
∂t ∂ξ ∂t ∂ξ ∂ξ ∂z ∂ξ
and for the given excitation the following approach holds
⎧⎧ ⎫ ⎫
⎨⎨ C exp(−γ z) ⎬ ⎬ z>0
1 1
A1,2 (ξ, z) = Re exp(j π ξ/a) ;
⎩⎩ C exp(γ2 z) ⎭ ⎭ z<0
2

with
0
2 2
− (π/a) + γ1,2 + jκ1,2 μ1,2 vπ/a = 0 ; γ1,2 = (π/a)2 − jκ1,2 μ1,2 vπ/a =
 κ1,2 μ1,2 va
= π/a 1 − jλ1,2 ; .
λ1,2 =
π
The constants C1 and C2 follow from the evaluation of the boundary conditions in
z = 0. For the tangential component of the magnetic field it follows
" #
−Hξ (ξ, z < 0) + Hξ (ξ, z > 0) z→0 = K(ξ) = K0 cos(πξ/a) .

With
1 ∂A
Hξ = −
μ ∂z
one gets
7 8
Re (C 1 γ1 /μ1 + C 2 γ2 /μ2 ) exp(jπξ/a) = K0 cos(πξ/a) .
150 5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

The normal component of the magnetic flux density is continuous in z = 0 and therefore
in this case also the vector potential. Hence it is C 1 = C 2 = C.
K0
C =
γ1 /μ1 + γ2 /μ2
7 8
A1,2 (x − vt, z) = A1,2 (x, z, t) = Re C exp(∓γ1,2 z) exp(jπ(x − vt)/a)
The fields are
∂
E1,2 (x, z, t) = − A1,2 (x, z, t) =
∂t
7 8
= Re j Cπ v/a exp(∓ γ1,2 z) exp(j π ξ/a) ; ξ = x − vt

and
 
 1,2 (x, z, t) = 1 ∂A1,2 ∂A1,2
H ez − ex =
μ1,2 ∂x ∂z
1 7
8
= Re C ±ex γ1,2 + ez j π/a exp(∓γ1,2 z) exp(jπξ/a) .
μ1,2

In the limit of a high velocity the induced currents take the form of current sheets next
to the plane z = 0. For the lower half-space applies
0 0
K2 (ξ) = J2 (x, z, t)|v→∞ dz = κ E2 (x, z, t)|v→∞ dz
−∞ −∞

0  0 
∂A2  ∂A2 ∂ξ 
K2 (ξ) = −κ dz = −κ dz
∂t v→∞ ∂ξ ∂t v→∞
−∞ −∞

⎧ ⎫
⎨ κ vπ K0
0 ⎬
exp(γ2 z)dz 
2
K2 (ξ) = Re j exp(jπξ/a)
⎩ a γ1 /μ1 + γ2 /μ2 ⎭
−∞
$ % v→∞

jvπ K0 exp(jπξ/a) 
= Re   =
a −j κ1 /κ2 μ2 /μ1 (vπ/a)2 − jvπ/a 
v→∞

K0
K2 (ξ) = −  cos(πξ/a) .
1+ κ1 /κ2 μ2 /μ1
The analog result for the upper half-space is
∞ 
∂A1 ∂ξ  K0
K1 (ξ) = −κ dz = −  cos(πξ/a) .
∂ξ ∂t v→∞ 1 + κ2 /κ1 μ1 /μ2
0
5.6 Induced Current Distribution by a Moving Conductor 151

0
z = a

-0 .2

-0 .4

-0 .6

-0 .8

-0 .8 -0 .4 0 0 .4 » = a 0 .8
0
z = a

-0 .2

-0 .4

-0 .6

-0 .8 -0 .4 0 0 .4 » = a 0 .8

Fig. 5.6–1: Magnetic lines of force for λ2 = 0.5 (top) and λ2 = 3 (bottom) with μ1 → ∞

Finally the equation for the magnetic lines of force at the time t = 0 is

7 8
A1,2 (ξ, z) = Re C exp(∓γ1,2 z + jπξ/a) = const

$  %
μ1 K 0 a exp (∓πz/a 1 − jλ1,2 ) exp (jπξ/a)
A1,2 (ξ, z) = Re √ √ = const
π 1 − jλ1 + μ1 /μ2 1 − jλ2

with λ1,2 = κ1,2 μ1,2 v a/π ; 0 ≤ λ1,2 < ∞.

152 5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

5.7 Conducting Cylinder Exposed to a Rotating Magnetic Field

A cylinder of conductivity κ, permeability μ, radius a, and infinite length is exposed to a

rotating magnetic field with constant magnitude H0 . The field is directed perpendicular
to the z-axis of the cylinder and rotates around it with the angular velocity ω = ez ω.
The permeability μ0 of the surrounding space is constant.
Calculate the induced current distribution and the time-averaged power loss per unit
length.

! H e

¹ 0
%

k , ¹ '

x
a

For the exciting rotating field in the homogeneous non-conducting space we can write

 e (t) = H0 [ex cos(ωt) + ey sin(ωt)] = Re {(ex − j ey ) H0 exp(jωt)} .

H

The solution of the problem requires to calculate the effect of only one component
ex H0 cos(ωt) = ex Re {H 0 exp(ωt)} of the exciting field. The effect of the second com-
ponent results from changing the phase and applying a transformation of coordinates.
The exiting vector potential of the subproblem is given by

 = ez A ( , ϕ) ;
A  = rot A
B  = μ0 H
 = ex μ0 H ,
e e e e e 0

with
 = e 1 ∂Ae − eϕ ∂Ae ;
B  = (e cos ϕ − eϕ sin ϕ)H
H
e e 0
∂ϕ ∂
and thus
Ae ( , ϕ) = μ0 H 0 sin ϕ .
It is a solution of the differential equation ΔAe ( , ϕ) = Δ(R( )Φ(ϕ)) = 0 with the gen-
eral solution functions Rn ( ) = { n , −n } and Φn (ϕ) = {cos(nϕ) ; sin(nϕ)}. Obviously
the solution for the exciting field is restricted to the terms with n = 1.
5.7 Conducting Cylinder Exposed to a Rotating Magnetic Field 153

 = ez A( , ϕ) must satisfy

Inside the cylinder < a the resulting vector potential A
the differential equation

∂ 2 A 1 ∂A 1 ∂2A
ΔA = 2
+ + 2 = α2 A ; α2 = jωκμ = 2j/δ 2 .
∂ ∂ ∂ϕ2

The solution functions are

⎧ ⎫
⎨ I (α ) ⎬
n
Rn (α ) = and Φn (ϕ) .
⎩ Kn (α ) ⎭

With the given excitation and because of the singularity of the modified Bessel function
Kn at = 0 the approach for the resulting vector potential reads with n = 1
⎧ ⎫
⎨ c I1 (α ) ⎪
⎪ ⎬ ≤a
A( , ϕ) = μ0 H 0 a I1 (αa) sin ϕ ; .
⎩ /a + b a/ ⎪
⎪ ⎭ ≥a

The evaluation of the boundary conditions on = a leads to the constants c and b.

 and thus in this case
The continuity of the normal component of the flux density e B
the continuity of the vector potential gives

c = 1 + b.

A second equation results from the continuity of the tangential component of the

magnetic field e × H

1 ∂ 1 ∂
A ( < a, ϕ)|→a − A ( > a, ϕ)|→a = 0
μ ∂ μ0 ∂
that leads to
μ0 αaI1 (αa) 2I1 (αa)
c = 1 − b; c = .
μ I1 (αa) I1 (αa)(1 − μ0 /μ) + μ0 /μ αaI0 (αa)

In the limit ω → 0 applies

α μ − μ0
I0 (α )|ω→0 = 1; I1 (α )|ω→0 ≈ ; c|ω→0 = (1 + k); b|ω→0 = =k
2 μ + μ0
⎧ ⎫
⎨ (1 + k)A ( , ϕ) ⎬ <a
A( , ϕ)|ω→0 =
e  ;
⎩ A ( , ϕ) + kA (a2 / , ϕ) ⎭ > a.
e e
ω→0
This is the method of images for stationary fields at a permeable cylinder.
154 5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

The induced current distribution 

J = ez J = −ez jωκA is
μ0 H I1 (α )
J ( , ϕ) = −2 (αa)2 0 sin ϕ .
μ a I1 (αa)(1 − μ0 /μ) + μ0 /μ αaI0 (αa)
It vanishes for ω → 0 and in the high-frequency limit only a current sheet at = a
exists
a 
K(ϕ) =

J( , ϕ)|ω→∞ d ; 
K(ϕ)  
= 2e × H e =a =  ez K(ϕ) ,
a ω→∞
0

that is related to the magnitude of the magnetic field at = a.


 
eϕ H = −
1 ∂
A( > a, ϕ)| =a =
=a
ω→∞
μ0 ∂ ω→∞


 
= −H 0 (1 − b) sin ϕ|ω→∞ = −2H 0 sin ϕ = 2eϕ H e =a
 ω→∞


K(ϕ) = −2H 0 sin ϕ = 2H eϕ  =a
ω→∞

The time-averaged power loss in the cylinder per unit length is given by
⎧ 2π ⎫
1 ⎨ ∗
⎬
P v /l = − Re 
E(a) ×H  (a)e adϕ =
2 ⎩ ⎭
0
⎧ 2π ⎫ ⎧ 2π ⎫
1 ⎨ ⎬ 1 ⎨ ⎬
= Re E(a)H ∗ϕ (a)adϕ = Re jωA(a)H ∗0 (1 − b∗ ) sin ϕadϕ
2 ⎩ ⎭ 2 ⎩ ⎭
0 0
1 7 8
P v /l = a2 π μ0 |H 0 |2 Re jω(2c − |c|2 ) = −μ0 πa2 |H 0 |2 ω Im {c} .
2
The calculation of the total current distribution induced by the rotating field requires
the superposition of the field described by the second part of the initial z-directed
vector potential Ae = −μ0 H 0 cos ϕ .
This is done by the substitution of sin ϕ with sin ϕ − j(− cos ϕ) = j exp(−jϕ)
in the expression for the current density.
 = ez A of the rotating field applies in analogy
For the vector potential AD D
⎧ ⎫
⎨ c I1 (α ) ⎬
AD ( , ϕ) = jμ0 H 0 a I1 (αa) exp(−jϕ)
⎩ ⎭
/a + b a/
and the field follows from the given relations.
 = 0 at the time t = 0 is Re {A ( , ϕ)} =
The equation for magnetic lines of force ds × H D
const . Examples of magnetic lines of force are shown in the figures.
5.7 Conducting Cylinder Exposed to a Rotating Magnetic Field 155

y = a

-1

-1 0 1 x = a

y = a

-1

-1 0 1 x = a

Fig. 5.7–1: Magnetic lines of force in a conducting permeable cylinder, that is exposed
to a rotating magnetic field at time t = 0
Parameters: μ/μ0 = 1, a/δ = 3 (top), a/δ = 10 (bottom)
156 5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

y = a

-1

-1 0 1 x = a

y = a

-1

-1 0 1 x = a

Fig. 5.7–2: Magnetic lines of force in a conducting permeable cylinder, that is exposed
to a rotating magnetic field at time t = 0
Parameters: μ/μ0 = 103 , a/δ = 5 (top), a/δ = 10 (bottom)
5.8 Power Loss and Energy Balance inside a Conducting Sphere 157

5.8 Power Loss and Energy Balance inside a Conducting Sphere

Exposed to the Transient Field of a Conductor Loop

A thin conductor loop is positioned at r = rE and ϑ = ϑE in front of a sphere with

radius a < rE , conductivity κ, and permeability μ. The permeability of the surrounding
space is μ0 .

Find the induced current distribution in the sphere, when in contrast to problem 5.3
the exciting current i(t) has an arbitrary time-dependence. Additionally calculate the
time-averaged power loss in case of a time-harmonic excitation and analyze the energy
balance when a direct current is turned off.

i(t)

r E

# E

# r

k , ¹
¹ 0 a

In this case the rotationally symmetric field is described by a second order vector
potential
 = r W (r, ϑ, t) ; ∂W
W = 0.
∂ϕ
With it, the field is given by


∂A
 = rot W
A  = −r × grad W ;  = rot A
B  = rot rot W
 ; J = −κ .
= κE
∂t
158 5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

Time-Harmonic Field

In the case of a time-harmonic excitation the current is described by a complex am-

plitude i0 . The exciting field of the conductor loop in the homogeneous space of
 E.
permittivity μ0 follows from the exciting potential W

W (r, ϑ) = r W ; ΔW E = 0 ;  rE
r=
E E
⎧ ⎫
∞ ⎨
 E n (r/rE )n ⎬ r < rE
W E (r, ϑ) = Pn (cos ϑ) ;
⎩ D (rE /r)n+1 ⎭ r > rE
n=0 n

 
 = −r × grad W ;  = rot rot W
 = grad ∂ 
AE E B E E (rW E ) = μ0 H E
∂r

For the determination of the constants Dn and E n we evaluate the boundary conditions
on the sphere r = rE . The continuity of the normal component of the magnetic flux
density requires
 
∂2  ∂2 

(rW E ) = (rW E ) ; Dn = E n .
∂r2 r<rE ∂r2 r>rE
r→rE r→rE

Moreover the tangential component of the magnetic field yields

H Eϑ | r>rE − H Eϑ | r<rE = K(ϑ) ,

r→rE r→rE

where K(ϑ) is a ϕ-directed current sheet, that is zero except for ϑ = ϑE .

With
1 1 ∂2
H Eϑ = (rW E )
μ0 r ∂r∂ϑ
and u = cos ϑ it follows
⎧ ⎫
1 1 
∞ ⎨ (n + 1)(r/r )n ⎬  r < rE
E
H Eϑ = − E 1 − u2 Pn (u) ;
μ0 r n=0 n ⎩ −n(rE /r)n+1 ⎭ r > rE

and thus it is
1 
∞ 
(2n + 1)E n 1 − u2 Pn (u) = rE K(u) .
μ0 n=0
√
Now the multiplication with 1 − u2 Pk (u) and integration from u = −1 to u = +1
5.8 Power Loss and Energy Balance inside a Conducting Sphere 159

leads to
+1 
μ0
En = K(u)rE 1 − u2 Pn (u)du
2n(n + 1)
u=−1
π
μ0
= P  (uE )(1 − u2E ) K(ϑ)rE dϑ ; uE = cos ϑE
2n(n + 1) n
ϑ=0
& '( )
i0
1 P  (uE ) 1 Pn−1 (uE ) − Pn+1 (uE )
En = μ0 i0 (1 − u2E ) n = μ0 i0
2 n(n + 1) 2 2n + 1

where the orthogonality relation for Legendre polynomials

⎧
+1 ⎨ 2n(n + 1) ; k = n
(1 − u2 )Pn (u) Pk (u)du = 2n + 1
⎩ 0 ; k= n
−1

has been applied.

In the presence of the conducting sphere the field is described by the second order
potential
W = r W ; ΔW = α2 W
⎧ ⎧ ⎫⎫
⎪
⎪ ⎨ (r/r )n ⎬⎪ ⎪
∞ ⎨⎪ E ⎪
⎬
 An (a/r)n+1 + E n r>a
W = ⎩ (rE /r)n+1 ⎭ Pn (cos ϑ) ;
⎪ ⎪
n=0 ⎪
⎪ ⎪
⎪
⎩ B Rn (αr) ⎭ r<a
n

with the spherical Bessel functions


π
Rn (αr) = In+1/2 (αr) ; α2 = jωκμ
2αr

that satisfy the recurrence relations

αr [Rn−1 − Rn+1 ] = (2n + 1)Rn ; αr Rn (αr) = nRn + αr Rn+1

" #
(αr)2 Rn (αr) = n(n − 1) + (αr)2 Rn − 2αr Rn+1 .

In r < a the magnetic flux density is

 = grad ∂ (rW ) − r α2 W
B
∂r
160 5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

and because of the continuity of the normal component er B in r = a and thus the
continuity of W it is
An + E n (a/rE )n = B n Rn (αa) .
 = B/μ
A second equation results from the continuity of the tangential component of H 
μ0
B [(n + 1) Rn (αa) + αa Rn+1 (αa)] = −nAn + (n + 1)E n (a/rE )n .
μ n
This system of equations has the solution
 n
2n + 1 a
Bn = En
nRn (αa) + μ0 /μ [(n + 1) Rn (αa) + αa Rn+1 (αa)] rE
  n
(2n + 1)Rn (αa) a
An = −1 En .
nRn (αa) + μ0 /μ [(n + 1) Rn (αa) + αa Rn+1 (αa)] rE

The induced current distribution in the sphere is

2 2 2
1  = − α rot (rW ) = α r × grad W = α eϕ ∂W = eϕ J
J = rot B
μ μ μ μ ∂ϑ
∞
α2  
J(r, ϑ) = − B n Rn (αr) 1 − u2 Pn (u) .
μ n=0
For the determination of the time-averaged power loss in the sphere we integrate the
real part of the complex Poynting vector over the surface aK of the sphere.
  
1  ×H  ∗ daK
Pv = − Re E
2
aK
⎧ ⎫
⎨  ⎬
1 " #
= − Re eϕ E ϕ × (er H ∗r + eϑ H ∗ϑ ) er a2 sin ϑdϑdϕ
2 ⎩ ⎭
aK
⎧ +1 ⎫
⎨ ⎬
= πa2 Re E ϕ (a, u) H ∗ϑ (a, u)du
⎩ ⎭
−1
∞
 
Eϕ = −jω B n Rn (αr) 1 − u2 Pn (u)
n=0

1
∞
 
Hϑ = − B n [(n + 1)Rn (αr) + αrRn+1 (αr)] 1 − u2 Pn (u)
μr n=0

Finally the solution is

∞
−2πωa  n(n + 1)
Pv = |B n |2 Im {Rn [(n + 1)Rn (αa) + αa Rn+1 (αa)]} .
μ n=0
2n + 1
5.8 Power Loss and Energy Balance inside a Conducting Sphere 161

Transient Field

The basis for the calculation of the field in case of an arbitrary time-dependence of
the exciting current is the field, that emerges when a constant current is turned off.
Therefore we need at first knowledge of the stationary field, that is excited by a constant
current I0 in the conductor loop. The stationary field follows from the corresponding
field equations, or alternatively from the limit ω → 0 in the time-periodic case.
 n  r n
2n + 1 r
B n Rn (αr)|ω→0 = En = Bn(0)
n + μ0 /μ(n + 1) rE a
 n
2n + 1 a
Bn(0) = En
n + μ/μ0 (n + 1) rE

  n
1 − u2E Pn (uE ) 2n + 1 a
En = μ0 I0 ; An |ω→0 = −1 En
2 n(n + 1) n + μ0 /μ(n + 1) rE

 n
(n + 1)(1 − μ0 /μ) a
An |ω→0 = En = A(0)
n
n + (n + 1)μ0 /μ rE

After turning off the current I0 at the time t = 0 the second order potential
 A = r WA (r, ϑ, t) is given by
W
⎧ ⎫
∞  ∞ ⎨ ⎬
ans jn (λns r) κμ
WA = Pn (cos ϑ) exp(−t/τns ) ; τns = 2 .
⎩ bns jn (λns a)(a/r)n+1 ⎭ λ ns
n=0 s=1

It is a solution of the differential equation

⎧
⎨ κμ ∂WA ; r<a
ΔWA = ∂t
⎩ 0 ; r>a

with the spherical Bessel functions


π
jn (λns r) = Jn+1/2 (λns r) .
2λns r

The vector potential and the magnetic flux density are


 A = rot (rWA ) ;
A  A = rot rot (rWA ) = grad ∂ (rWA ) − κμ ∂ WA .
B
∂r ∂t
162 5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

For the determination of the constants ans and bns we evaluate the boundary conditions
in r = a and furthermore at the time t = 0 the field matches the initial stationary
solution. The continuity of the normal component of the magnetic flux density requires
 2  
∂ 2 ∂WA 
 ∂2 
r 2 (rWA ) − κμr  = r 2 (rWA ) .
∂r ∂t r<a ∂r r>a
r→a r→a

With the recurrence relations and the derivatives for spherical Bessel functions this
results in
ans = bns .

Now with this result the second continuity relation for the tangential component of the
magnetic field results in the eigenvalue equation

λns a jn−1 (λns a) − n jn (λns a) (1 − μ/μ0 ) = 0

and thus leads to the eigenvalues λns = xns /a. Hence the potential is
⎧ ⎫
∞ 
 ∞ ⎨ j (x r/a) ⎬ κμa2
n ns
WA = ans Pn (u) exp(−t/τns ) ; τns = 2 .
⎩ jn (xns )(a/r)n+1 ⎭ xns
n=0 s=1

Finally the constant ans follows from the initial stationary field at the time t = 0.
∞ 
 ∞ ∞

ans jn (xns r/a) Pn (u) = Bn(0) (r/a)n Pn (u)
n=0 s=1 n=0

∞

Bn(0) (r/a)n = ans jn (xns r/a) ; u = cos ϑ
s=1

Due to the orthogonality relation for the the spherical Bessel functions the multiplica-
tion with jn (xnp r/a)w(r) and w(r) = 2λnp r2 /π and integration results in

2jn+1 (xns )
ans = B (0) .
xns [jn2 (xns ) − jn−1 (xns )jn+1 (xns )] n

With it, the transient field for t > 0 is determined. In case of an arbitrary time-
dependence of the current i(t) for t > 0 and i(t) = 0 for t < 0 the potential WA (r, t) is
given, if the exponential function exp(−t/τns ) in WA is replaced by the function
⎡ ⎤
t
1 ⎣ di(t − τ )
fns (t) = i(0) [1 − exp(−t/τns )] + [1 − exp(−τ /τns )] dτ ⎦ .
I0 dt
0
5.8 Power Loss and Energy Balance inside a Conducting Sphere 163

Energy Balance

When the initially constant current is turned off the energy balance requires

Wm0 − WmA − Wms = 0 .

Here Wm0 is the energy of the magnetic field inside the sphere before the turn-off,
WmA is the energy transferred trough the surface r = a after the turn-off, and Wms is
the dissipated energy inside the sphere for t > 0. It follows
 ∞ 
1 2  A (r, t) daK dt = Wm0 − WmA =
 A (r, t) × H
μ HA (r, t < 0)dv − E
2
vK t=0 aK

∞ 
=  A (r, t) JA (r, t)dvdt = Wms .
E
t=0 vK

The energy of the stationary magnetic field in r < a is derived by

 
1 1
Wm0 = BA2
(r, t < 0)dv = [rot rot (r WA (r, t = 0))]2 dv
2μ 2μ
vK vK
    
1 ∂ 1 ∂ ∂2 
= grad 2 (rWA ) dv = (rWA ) 2 (rWA ) daK
2μ ∂r t=0 2μ ∂r ∂r r=a
vK aK t=0

2πa  n(n + 1)2  (0) 2

∞
⇒ Wm0 = Bn .
μ n=0 2n + 1
Here Green’s second identity has been applied.
The integration of the Poynting vector leads to
∞ 
WmA = E  A daK dt ;
A × H daK = er daK .
t=0 aK

With
   
  1 ∂ ∂WA ∂WA 
HA × EA = grad (rWA ) − κμr × r × grad = −S
μ ∂r ∂t ∂t

 
r  r ∂ ∂WA eϑ ∂
S = − grad s (rWA ) grad s ; grad s =
r μ ∂r ∂t r ∂ϑ
 
1 ∂ ∂ 1 ∂ ∂WA
= − (rWA )
μ ∂ϑ ∂r r ∂ϑ ∂t
164 5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

z = a

-1

-2 -1 0 1 x = a 2

Fig. 5.8–1: Magnetic lines of force before the turn-off with μ = 100μ0 ,
κ = 2 · 106 [S/m], rE /a = 2, and ϑE = π/6

it follows:

∞ 2π +1 
∞ 
∞
1
WmA = − ans [xns jn−1 (xns ) − n jn (xns )] ·
μ n=0 s=1
t=0 0 −1
∞ ∞
  1    

2
· − 1 − u Pn (u) exp(−t/τns ) akr jk (xkr ) − 1 − u2 Pk (u) ·
a
k=0 r=1

−x2kr
· exp(−t/τkr ) · a2 (−du) dϕdt
κμa2

∞ 
∞
∞  ∞ 
2πa  
= − ans (xns jn−1 (xns ) − njn (xns )) anr jn (xnr ) ·
μ
t=0 n=0 s=1 r=1

+1
−x2nr
· (1 − u2 )Pn2 (u)du exp(−t/τns ) exp(−t/τnr ) dt
κμa2
−1
5.8 Power Loss and Energy Balance inside a Conducting Sphere 165

z = a

-1

-2 -1 0 1 x = a 2
1

z = a

-1
-1 0 1 x = a

Fig. 5.8–2: Magnetic lines of force at the time t/τ01 = 10−3 (top) and t/τ01 = 10−2
(bottom) after the turn-off
Parameters see Fig. 5.8–1.

∞ ∞ ∞
2πa  2n(n + 1)  
WmA = ans anr jn (xnr )·
μ n=0 2n + 1 s=1 r=1
∞
x2
· [xns jn−1 (xns ) − njn (xns )] · nr2 exp(−t/τns ) exp(−t/τnr ) dt
κμa
t=0
166 5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

∞ ∞ ∞
4πa  n(n + 1)   [xns jn−1 (xns ) − njn (xns )]
WmA = ans anr jn (xnr ) x2nr .
μ n=0 2n + 1 s=1 r=1 x2ns + x2nr

Finally the last integral gives

∞ 
2
Wms = κ EA (r, t)dvdt =
t=0 vK
∞   2 ∞   2
∂WA ∂WA
= κ r × grad dvdt = κ r grad s dvdt
∂t ∂t
t=0 vK t=0 vK

∞   2
∂ 2 WA
Wms = κ dvdt
∂ϑ∂t
t=0 vK

∞
 +1 ∞ a
 ∞
2 r exp(−2t/τns )
= 2πκ (1 − u )Pn2 (u) du a2ns jn2 (xns )r2 dr 2
dt
n=0u=−1 s=1r=0
a τns
t=0

∞ ∞
πa  n(n + 1)  2 2 " 2 #
Wms = ans xns jn (xns ) − jn−1 (xns )jn+1 (xns ) .
μ n=0 2n + 1 s=1
The proof of the validity of the energy balance is done by a numerical calculation of
the expressions above.

5.9 Induced Current Distribution in a Conducting Cylinder

A cylinder of conductivity κ and radius a is concentrically surrounded by an axially

directed current sheet
⎧⎧ ⎫ ⎫
⎨⎨ K ⎬ ⎬ 0<ϕ<π
 0
K(ϕ, t) = ez Re exp(jωt) ;
⎩⎩ −K ⎭ ⎭ π < ϕ < 2π
0

on the cylinder = b > a. The permeability μ is constant.

Find the induced current distribution and the time-averaged power loss.
The magnetic field is described by an axially directed vector potential
 ϕ) = ez A( , ϕ), that satisfies the differential equation
A( ,
⎧
 
1 ∂ ∂A 1 ∂ A ⎨ α2 A ; < a
2
2j
ΔA = + 2 = ; α2 = jωκμ = 2 .
∂ ∂ ∂ϕ2 ⎩ 0 ; > a ; = b δ
5.9 Induced Current Distribution in a Conducting Cylinder 167

k = 0 , ¹
%

k , ¹ ' K = e z K 0

a
K = -e z K 0

Solution functions are the modified Bessel functions In (α ) and Kn (α ) in < a, the
powers of the distance to the axis n and −n in > a, and the trigonometric functions
sin(nϕ) and cos(nϕ).
At first the exciting vector potential A ( , ϕ) = ez A ( , ϕ) of the current sheet at
e e
= b in the homogeneous space of permeability μ will be determined.
⎧ ⎫
∞ ⎨ ( /b)n ⎬ ≤b
ΔAe = 0 ; = b ; Ae ( , ϕ) = an sin(nϕ) ;
⎩ (b/ )n ⎭ ≥b
n=1

The continuity of the normal component of the magnetic flux density B  is identical to
the continuity of the vector potential itself and is already satisfied. Here the solution
with n = 0 is omitted because of
2π
K(ϕ) dϕ = 0 .
0

 = rot A
The magnetic flux density B  is given by
e e

" #
 = rot [ez A ] = grad A × ez = e 1 ∂Ae − eϕ ∂Ae = μ e H + eϕ H
B e e e e eϕ .
∂ϕ ∂
For the determination of an the boundary condition for the tangential component of
the magnetic field in = b is evaluated.
⎧
  ⎨ K
0 ; 0 < ϕ< π
H eϕ  >b − H eϕ  <b = K(ϕ) =
→b →b ⎩ −K ; π < ϕ < 2π 0
168 5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

 
∂Ae  ∂Ae 
− = μK(ϕ)
∂  <b ∂  >b
→b →b
⎧
∞ ⎨ K
0 ; 0 < ϕ< π
2n an /b sin(nϕ) = μ
⎩ −K
n=1 0 ; π < ϕ < 2π

Now applying the orthogonality relation for trigonometric functions leads to

π
2μK 0 b
2πn an /b = 2μK 0 sin(nϕ)dϕ ; an = ; n = 2k + 1 .
πn2
ϕ=0

After inserting the conducting cylinder the ansatz for the resulting vector potential
A( , ϕ) is
⎧ ⎫
⎪
⎪ bn In (α )/In (αa) ⎪
⎪ ≤a
∞ ⎨⎪ ⎧ ⎫ ⎪
⎬
2μK 0 b  sin(nϕ)
A( , ϕ) = ⎨ ( /b)n ⎬ ; a≤ ≤b
π ⎪ ⎪ n2
k=0 ⎪ ⎪
n
⎪
⎩ ⎩ (b/ )n ⎭ + dn (a/ ) ⎪
⎭
≥b.

 in = a
Again the continuity of the normal component of the magnetic flux density B
is identical to the continuity of the vector potential.

bn = (a/b)n + dn

The continuity of the tangential component H ϕ = −1/μ ∂A/∂ results in

I  (αa)  a n  a n  αa In (αa)

−1
bn αa n = n − ndn ⇒ bn = 2 1+ .
In (αa) b b n In (αa)

Therewith the current density J inside the cylinder < a is determined.

∞

 = −ez jωκA( , ϕ) = −ez 2 (αb)2 K 0
J = −jωκA bn
In (α ) sin(nϕ)
; n = 2k + 1
π b In (αa) n2
k=0

The time-averaged power loss per unit length l in the cylinder follows from the inte-
gration of the Poynting vector over the surface of the cylinder.
2π   2π   ∗ 
P v /l = −
1  ∗ 
 ×H
Re E e ds =
1
Re
jωA ∂A
adϕ
2 =a 2 μ ∂ =a
ϕ=0 ϕ=0
 2 
∞    ∗ 
ωa 2μb|K 0 | In (αa) 1
= Re j|bn |2 α π
2μ π In (αa) n4
k=0
5.9 Induced Current Distribution in a Conducting Cylinder 169

3
y = a
2

-1

-2

-3
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
x = a

3
y = a
2

-1

-2

-3
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
x = a

Fig. 5.9–1: Magnetic lines of force at the time t = 0 (top) and

ωt = π/2 (bottom) with ϕ0 = 0, K 0 = K0 exp(jϕ0 ),
and δ/a = 0.5
170 5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

 ∞  ∗ 
2 I  (αa)
P v /l = − ωμ (|K 0 | b)2 |bn |2 /n4 Im αa n ; n = 2k + 1
π In (αa)
k=0
 = 0 at the time t = 0 reads
Finally the equation for the magnetic lines of force ds × H

 = ds × 1 rot [ez A( , ϕ)] = 1 ds × (grad A × ez ) =

ds × H
μ μ
1
= −ez dA = 0 ; Re{A( , ϕ)} = const .
μ

5.10 Cylinder with Stepped Down Diameter

In the plane z = 0 the radius of a homogeneous cylinder with conductivity κ is stepped

down from b in z < 0 to a < b in z > 0. The conductor carries the current i(t) =
= Re {i0 exp(jωt)} in axial direction.
Calculate the current distribution inside the conductor. The permeability μ is constant.
See also chapters 3 and 4 for the static case ω → 0.

k = 0 , ¹

b
a %

k , ¹
i 0

Because of the rotational symmetry the magnetic field is ϕ-directed

 = eϕ H( , z)
H
5.10 Cylinder with Stepped Down Diameter 171

and satisfies the differential equation

∂H
 + κμ
rot rot H = 0; 
rot rot H( , z) + α2 H( ,
 z) = 0
∂t
   2  
∂H 1 ∂ ∂ H ∂ 1 ∂
rot −e + ez ( H) = eϕ − 2 − ( H) = −α2eϕ H
∂z ∂ ∂z ∂ ∂
∂2H 1 ∂H 1 ∂2H
⇒ 2
+ − 2H + = α2 H .
∂ ∂ ∂z 2
The ansatz
H( , z) = R( ) Z(z)
leads to the equation
 
1 d2 R 1 dR R 1 d2 Z
2
+ − 2
+ = α2 = jωκμ = 2j/δ 2
R d d Z dz 2
that separates to

d2 R 1 dR R 2
2
+ − 2 + m2 R = 0 ; δ =
d d ωκμ
and
d2 Z m
− (α2 + m2 )Z m = 0.
dz 2
Solutions are the Bessel functions of order one

Rm ( ) = C 1 J1 (m ) + C 2 N1 (m )

and the exponential function

  
Z m (z) = C exp ± α2 + m2 z .

If the dependence on the z-coordinate is missing (homogeneous conductor of infinite

length), then the differential equation reads
d2 R 1 dR R
2
+ − 2 − α2 R = 0
d d
and the solutions are the modified Bessel Functions I1 (α ) and K1 (α ).
The combined approach for the magnetic field of the present problem is
⎧
0
⎪
⎪
⎪ I1 (α )  z≥0
⎪
⎪ + C J
m1 1 (m 1 ) exp(− α2 + m21 z) ;
⎨ I1 (αa) ≤a
m1
H( , z) = H 0
⎪ 0
⎪
⎪ a I1 (α ) a  z≤0
⎪
⎪ + C J (m ) exp( α2 + m22 z) ;
⎩ b I1 (αb) b m2 m2
1 2
≤b
172 5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

with H 0 = i0 /(2πa). The preceding terms with modified Bessel functions describe the
homogeneous field far away from the discontinuity in z = 0.

The unknown parameters m1 , m2 follow from the boundary conditions


 ∂H
e J = 0; J = e J  + ez J z ; J = rot H
 ; J = −
=a,b ∂z
 
∂H  ∂H 
= = 0 ⇒ Rm ( = a)|z>0 = Rm ( = b)|z<0 = 0 .
∂z  z>0 ∂z  z<0
=a =b

With the zeros x1r of the Bessel functions J1 (x1r ) = 0 it follows

J1 (m1 a) = 0 ⇒ m1 = x1r /a ; r = 1, 2, 3, . . .
J1 (m2 b) = 0 ⇒ m2 = x1r /b ; r = 1, 2, 3, . . . .

Now the magnetic field is

⎧ ∞
⎪
⎪
⎪ I1 (α )  
⎪
⎨ I1 (αa) + C 1r J1 (x1r /a) exp(− α2 + (x1r /a)2 z)
r=1
H( , z) = H 0 ∞
⎪
⎪
⎪ a I 1 (α ) a 
⎪
⎩ b I1 (αb) + C 2r J 1 (x1r /b) exp( α2 + (x1r /b)2 z)
b r=1

in the respective range of validity.

Outside the conductor the magnetic field is H( ) = H 0 a/ .

Finally the constants C 1r and C 2r follow from the boundary conditions in z = 0.

⎧
⎨ H( , z)| z>0 ; ≤a
H( , z)| z<0 = z→0
z→0 ⎩ H a/ ; >a
0

⎧ ∞
∞ ⎪
⎨ I1 (α ) 
a I1 (α ) a  + C J1 (x1r /a) ; ≤ a
+ C 2r J1 (x1r /b) = I1 (αa) r=1 1r
b I1 (αb) b r=1 ⎪
⎩
a/ ; a≤ ≤b

With the expansion

 ∞
I1 (α ) x1r J1 (x1r /a)
= −2 2 + (αa)2
I1 (αa) x
r=1 1r
J0 (x1r )
5.10 Cylinder with Stepped Down Diameter 173

it is

∞  
a 2x1r 1
C 2r − 2 J1 (x1r /b) =
b r=1 x1r + (αb)2 J0 (x1r )
⎧ ∞  
⎪
⎪  2x1r 1
⎨ C 1r − 2 J1 (x1r /a) ; < a
= x1r + (αa)2 J0 (x1r )
⎪
⎪
r=1
⎩ a/ ; a < < b.

The multiplication with J1 (x1s /b) d , s = 1, 2, 3, . . . , and integration from = 0 to

= b gives because of the orthogonality of Bessel functions

  2 ∞  
a 2x1s b 2 2x1r
C 2s − 2 J (x1s ) = C 1r − 2 ·
b (x1s + (αb)2 )J0 2 0 r=1
(x1r + (αa)2 )J0 (x1r )
a b
· J1 (x1r /a)J1 (x1s /b) d + a/ J1 (x1s /b) d .
0 a
& '( ) & '( )
x1r J1 (x1s a/b)J0 (x1r ) ab
[J0 (x1s a/b) − J0 (x1s )]
(x1s /b)2 − (x1r /a)2 x1s

Therewith, the following system of equations results

 
2x1s 1
1/2 C 2s − J 2 (x1s ) − [J0 (x1s a/b) − J0 (x1s )] /x1s =
x21s + (αb)2 J0 (x1s ) 0
∞  
2x1r 1 x1r J0 (x1r )
= J1 (x1s a/b)b/a C 1r − 2 2 J (x ) x2 − (x b/a)2
.
r=1
x 1r + (αa) 0 1r 1s 1r

A second system results from the continuity of the tangential component J  of the
current density
 
∂H ∂H  ∂H 
J = − ; = ; <a
∂z ∂z  z<0 ∂z  z>0
z→0 z→0

∞
 ∞
 a 
− C 1r J1 (x1r ) α2 + (x1r /a)2 = C 2r J1 (x1r ) α2 + (x1r /b)2 .
r=1
a b r=1 b
174 5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

z = a

-1

-2
-2 -1 0 1 x = a 2

Fig. 5.10–1: Streamlines at the time ωt = 0 with b/a = 2 and b/δ = 3

The Multiplication with J1 (x1s /a) d and integration from = 0 to = a yields


− C 1s 1/2a2J02 (x1s ) α2 + (x1s /a)2 =
∞
   a

= a/b 2
C 2r α + (x1r /b)2 J1 (x1r /b)J1 (x1s /a) d .
r=1 0
& '( )
x1s J1 (x1r a/b)J0 (x1s )
(x1r /b)2 − (x1s /a)2

Thus the second system of equations reads

0 ∞
 0
2 J1 (x1r a/b)
2
C 1s (αa) + x1s J0 (x1s ) = 2x1s C 2r (αb)2 + x21r .
r=1
(x1s b/a)2 − x21r

The combination of both systems leads to a linear system of equations for the deter-
mination of the unknown constants. Exemplary results for the streamlines at different
times are presented in the figures.
5.10 Cylinder with Stepped Down Diameter 175

z = a

-1

-2
-2 -1 0 1 x = a 2
2

z = a

-1

-2
-2 -1 0 1 x = a 2

Fig. 5.10–2: Streamlines at the time ωt = π/4 (top) and ωt = π/2 (bottom) with
b/a = 2 and b/δ = 3
176 5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

5.11 Frequency-Dependent Current Distribution in

Conductors of Different Conductivity

A rectangular groove (x > 0 ; 0 ≤ y ≤ h) inside a nonconducting material of high

permeability is filled with two conductors of conductivity κ1 in x < a (conductor (1))
and κ2 in a < x < b (conductor (2)). The permittivity μ inside the groove is constant.
In x = a the conductors are electrically connected and the total current carried in axial
z-direction is i(t) = Re{i0 exp(jωt)}.

Find the magnetic field inside the groove and the current distribution in the conductors.
Furthermore calculate the ratio η = i2 /i1 of the currents in conductor (1) and (2) in
dependence on the frequency ω.

y
e le c tric a l c o n n e c tio n

h
i 0

k 1, ¹ k 2, ¹ k = 0 , ¹

0 a b x
¹ ® ¥

The magnetic field is y-directed


H(x) = ey H(x)

and satisfies the differential equation

d2 H
 = −jωκμH
rot rot H  ; = α21,2 H
dx2
with
1+j
α21 = jωκ1 μ ; α22 = jωκ2 μ = 2j/δ 2 ⇒ α2 = .
δ
The current density is given by
 dH(x)
 
J(x) = rot H(x) = ez J(x) = ez
dx
5.11 Frequency-Dependent Current Distribution in Conductors 177

An ansatz for the magnetic field is

⎧
⎪
⎪ sinh(α1 x)
⎪
⎪ C1 ; 0≤x≤a
⎪
⎪ sinh(α1 a)
⎪
⎨
H(x) = H 0 sinh(α2 (x − a)) cosh(α2 (x − a))
⎪ C2 + C3 ; a≤x≤b
⎪
⎪ sinh(α2 (b − a)) cosh(α2 (b − a))
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎩ 1 ; x≥b

with H 0 = i0 /h. The evaluation of the boundary conditions in x = a and x = b gives

rise to the three constants. From the continuity of the magnetic field in x = a we
deduce
C 1 = C 3 / cosh(α2 (b − a)) .
In x = b applies H(x = b) = H 0 and thus

C2 + C3 = 1 .

Finally the continuity of the electric field in x = a leads to a third equation

 ;
J = rot H 1/κ1 dH/dx| x<a = 1/κ2 dH/dx| x>a
x→a x→a

1/κ1 α1 C 1 coth(α1 a) = 1/κ2 α2 C 2 / sinh(α2 (b − a)) .

The solution of this system of equations is
1
C1 = ; C 2 = N /(1 + N ) ; C 3 = 1/(N + 1)
cosh(α2 (b − a))(1 + N )

N = κ2 /κ1 coth(α1 a) tanh(α2 (b − a)) .
The current i1 in the conductor (1) is

i1 = H(a) · h ; i1 /i0 = C 1

and for the current i2 in the conductor (2) applies

i2 = H(b) · h − i1 ; i2 /i0 = C 2 + C 3 − C 1
 
1 1
i1 /i0 = ; i2 /i0 = 1 − .
cosh(α2 (b − a))(1 + N ) cosh(α2 (b − a))(1 + N )
Hence the current ratio η is

i2
η = = (N + 1) cosh(α2 (b − a)) − 1 .
i1
178 5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

|H ( x = b ) | 1
|H 0 | k 1/k 2 = 3
0 .8 ± = b = { 0 .2 5 ; 0 .3 3 3 ; 0 .5 ; 1 0 0 }

0 .6

0 .4
± = b
0 .2

0
0 0 .2 0 .4 0 .6 0 .8 x = b 1

|J ( x = b ) |
|J 0 | 5 k 1/k 2 = 3
± = b = { 0 .2 5 ; 0 .3 3 3 ; 0 .5 ; 1 0 0 }
4

2 ± = b
± = b
1

0
0 0 .2 0 .4 0 .6 0 .8 x = b 1

Fig. 5.11–1: Magnitude of the magnetic field (top) and current density (bottom) for
different normalized skin depths δ/b and b/a = 2 (J 0 = H 0 /b)
5.11 Frequency-Dependent Current Distribution in Conductors 179

0 ± = b = 2 k 1/k 2 = { 1 / 2 ; 1 ; 2 ; 3 ; 5 }
I m [i1= i0]
± = b = 0 .1
-0 .1 k 1/k 2

-0 .2

-0 .3

-0 .4

0 0 .2 0 .4 0 .6 0 .8
R e [i1= i0]

0 .4
I m [i2= i0]

0 .3

0 .2

k 1/k 2
0 .1
± = b = 2
k 1/k = { 1 / 2 ; 1 ; 2 ; 3 ; 5 } ± = b = 0 .1
0 2

0 .2 0 .4 0 .6 0 .8 1
R e [i2= i0]

Fig. 5.11–2: Parametric plot of the normalized currents i1 /i0 (top) and i2 /i0 (bottom)
in dependence on the normalized skin depth δ/b for different conductivity
ratios κ1 /κ2
180 5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

5.12 Electric Circuit with Massive Conductors

The groove (x > 0 ; 0 ≤ y ≤ h) inside a high-permeable material is filled in x < a and

a < b < x < c with material of conductivity κ. The conductors are of length l and
connect a generator with alternating voltage of complex amplitude U 0 and internal
impedance RG in z = 0 with a terminating impedance RE in z = l  c.

Calculate the current distribution inside the conductors. The influence of the junctions
in z = 0 and z = l on the field is negligible and the permeability μ inside the groove is
constant.

R E
z = l
y

¹ ® ¥ k , ¹ k = 0 , ¹ k , ¹ k = 0 , ¹

0 a b c x

z = 0

U R G
0

We suppose that the conductor x < a carries a current with complex amplitude i in
positive z-direction and the conductor b < x < c carries the reverse current in negative
direction. Because of the boundary conditions in y = 0 and y = h the magnetic

field is y-directed H(x) = ey H(x) and inside the conductors it satisfies the differential
equation
d2 H
= α2 H with α2 = jωκμ .
dx2

Furthermore the magnetic field vanishes in x = 0 and x = c, because of the high-

permeable boundary and because the total current vanishes. Thus the integral of the
magnetic field in x = c from y = 0 and y = h has to be zero. Hence the magnetic field
5.12 Electric Circuit with Massive Conductors 181

is given by ⎧
⎪ sinh(αx)
⎪
⎨ ; 0≤x≤a
i sinh(αa)
H(x) = .
h⎪⎪ sinh(α(x − c))
⎩ ; b≤x≤c
sinh(α(b − c))
In the space a ≤ x ≤ b between the conductors the magnetic field is homogeneous

H(x) = ey i/h.
Finally for the determination of the amplitude i the law of induction has to be analyzed.
 
 ∂  a
Eds = − Bd
∂t
C a

A suitable contour for the integration runs through the inner boundary x = a, b of the
conductors. This results in

(E(a) − E(b)) l + i (RE + RG ) − U 0 = −jωμ H(a)(b − a) l .

The electric field is given by

 dH(x)
E(x) = 1/κ rot [ey H(x)] = 1/κ ez = ez E(x)
dx
⎧
⎪ cosh(αx)
⎪
⎨ ; 0≤x≤a
i sinh(αa)
E(x) = αa .
κah ⎪
⎪ cosh(α(x − c))
⎩ ; b≤x≤c
sinh(α(b − c))
It follows
il i
αa [coth(αa) − coth(α(b − c))] + i (RE + RG ) + jωμ(b − a) l = U 0
κah h
and for the complex amplitude of the current applies
−1
i = U 0 [RE + RG + jωμ(b − a)l/h + α/κ [coth(αa) − coth(α(b − c))] l/h]

= U 0 [RE + RG + jωLA + R(ω) + jωLi (ω)]−1 .

The substitution LA is the outer self-inductance

LA = μ(b − a)l/h

and Z is the inner impedance

Z(ω) = R(ω) + jωLi (ω) = α/κ [coth(αa) − coth(α(b − c))] l/h

182 5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

0
I m [ i ]= A

-0 .1

l= a = { 1 0 2; 1 0 3; 1 0 4; 1 0 5}
-0 .2

l= a
-0 .3
± = a
-0 .4

0 0 .2 0 .4 0 .6 0 .8 1
R e [ i ]= A

0
Im [ i ]= i 0

-0 .1

l= a = { 1 0 ; 1 0 4; 1 0 6}
-0 .2

l= a
-0 .3
± = a

-0 .4

-0 .5
0 0 .2 0 .4 0 .6 0 .8 1
R e [ i ]= i 0

Fig. 5.12–1: Parametric plot of the current with h = c − b = a, b/a = 2, U 0 = 1 [V],

i0 = i|ω→0 , and RG = 0
RE = 1[Ω] (top) and RE = jωL with L = 10−5 [H] (bottom)
5.13 Magnetically Coupled System of Conductors 183

b = a = { 1 ; 1 .2 ; 1 ,5 ; 2 ; 3 ; 5 ; 1 0 }

4 0

I m [ i ]= A ±
2 0

b = a
0

-2 0

-4 0

0 2 0 4 0 6 0 8 0
R e [ i ]= A

Fig. 5.12–2: See caption of Fig. 5.12–1, but RE = 1/(jωC) and C = 10−5 [F]

with a frequency-dependent resistance R(ω) and the reactance defines the inner self-
inductance Li (ω).
In the limit ω = 0 the current is continuous and described by
U0
i = ,
RE + RG + l(1/a + 1/(c − b))/(κh)
where we have assumed that the complex amplitudes RE , RG , and U 0 switch over to
the real valued amplitudes.

5.13 Magnetically Coupled System of Conductors

The space 0 < y < h of permeability μ is surrounded by high-permeable material

μ → ∞ in y ≤ 0 and y ≥ h. Two pairs of conductors with conductivity κ are located
in this space bounded by the planes x = a and x = b, x = −a and x = −b, x = c and
x = d, and x = −c and x = −d. The inner pair is short-circuited in z = 0 and in
z = l  d terminated by the impedance RE . In the outer pair a current is injected
at z = 0 by a generator with voltage U 0 and internal impedance RG and in z = l the
outer conductor pair is terminated by the impedance RS .
184 5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

R R E z = l
k = 0 , ¹ S k = 0 , ¹
¹ ® ¥
h

k , ¹ k , ¹ k , ¹ k , ¹
k = 0 , ¹

0
x
-d -c -b -a a b c d ¹ ® ¥
z = c

R G U 0

Calculate the currents in the conductors, when the influence of the junctions in z = 0
and z = l on the field is negligible.
We suppose that the conductors a ≤ |x| ≤ b and c ≤ |x| ≤ d carry the currents i2
and i1 . Because of the high-permeable boundary and the geometry of the conductors
 =
the magnetic field has only a y-component and depends just on the x-coordinate H
= ey H(x). Inside the conductors it satisfies the differential equation

d2 H 2j 1+j
= α2 H ; α2 = jωκμ = ⇒ α= .
dx2 δ2 δ
As the magnetic field vanishes in |x| > d and is homogeneous between the conductors
the ansatz for H(x) is
⎧
⎪ i1 sinh(α(|x| − d))
⎪
⎪ ; c ≤ |x| ≤ d
⎪
⎪ h sinh(α(c − d))
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ i1
⎨ ; b ≤ |x| ≤ c
H(x) = h
⎪
⎪ (i1 + i2 ) sinh(α(|x| − b)) i1 sinh(α(|x| − a))
⎪
⎪ + ; a ≤ |x| ≤ b
⎪
⎪ h sinh(α(a − b)) h sinh(α(b − a))
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎩ (i1 + i2 ) ; |x| ≤ a .
h
This approach already satisfies the continuity relations of the magnetic field.
The homogeneous field between the conductors is defined by the currents i1 and i2 ,
which are unknown so far. For the calculation of the currents we evaluate the law of
5.13 Magnetically Coupled System of Conductors 185

induction
 
 s = −∂
Ed  a;
Bd E  = ez 1 dH = ez E(x)
 = 1 rot H
∂t κ κ dx
C a

along the boundaries of the conductors. It is convenient to integrate along the inner
contour of both conductor pairs. The integration over x = ±c leads to

E(−c)l − E(c)l + i1 (RG + RS ) − U 0 =

⎡ ⎤
b
= −jωμ ⎣2i1 /h(c − b)l + 2(i1 + i2 )/hal + 2l H(x)dx⎦
a

and a second integration over x = ±a gives

E(−a)l − E(a)l + i2 RE = −jωμ(i1 + i2 )/h 2al ; E(−c) = −E(c) .

Now with the relations


1 dH  i α
E(−a) = −E(a) ; E(c) = = 1 coth(α(c − d))
κ dx  c<x<d hκ
x→c


1 dH  α (i1 + i2 ) cosh(α(a − b)) − i1
E(a) = =
κ dx  a<x<b κh sinh(α(a − b))
x→a

b
1 − cosh(α(a − b)) cosh(α(b − a)) − 1
H(x)dx = (i1 + i2 )/h + i1 /h
α sinh(α(a − b)) α sinh(α(b − a))
a
2i1 + i2 1 − cosh(α(a − b))
=
hα sinh(α(a − b))

we can identify two equations for the determination of the complex amplitudes i1 and
i2 .

αl 2i1 2(i1 + i2 )
− 2i1 coth(α(c − d)) + jωμ (c − b) l + al +
hκ h h

2l 1 − cosh(α(a − b))
+ (2i1 + i2 ) + i1 (RG + RS ) = U 0
hα sinh(α(a − b))

αl i1 − (i1 + i2 ) cosh(α(a − b)) (i + i2 )

2 + jωμ 1 2al + i2 RE = 0
κh sinh(α(a − b)) h
186 5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

|i1 |
i0
0 .1 5

0 .1 2 5
l= h = { 1 0 ; 1 0 2; 1 0 3}
0 .1

0 .0 7 5
l= h
0 .0 5

0 .0 2 5

0
0 0 .2 0 .4 0 .6 0 .8 ± = h
|i2 |
i0

l= h = { 1 0 ; 1 0 2; 1 0 3; 1 0 4; 1 0 5; 1 0 6}
0 .2 5

0 .2

0 .1 5

l= h
0 .1

0 .0 5

0
0 1 2 3 4 ± = h

Fig. 5.13–1: Magnitude of the normalized primary current i1 /i0 (top) and secondary
current i2 /i0 (bottom) in dependence on the normalized skin depth δ/h
with 2a/h = 1, RG = RS = 0, and RE = 1/(jωC) with C = 10−5 [F]
(i0 = i1 |ω→0 )
5.13 Magnetically Coupled System of Conductors 187

l= h = { 1 0 2; 1 0 3; 1 0 4; 1 0 5; 1 0 6}
Im [ i2 ]= i 0

0 .1
± = h
0 .0 5

-0 .0 5

-0 .1
l= h
-0 .1 5

-0 .2 5 -0 .2 -0 .1 5 -0 .1 -0 .0 5 0 R e [ i2 ]= i 0

|´ |

1 0

l= h = { 1 0 ; 1 0 2; 1 0 3; 1 0 4; 1 0 5; 1 0 6}
8

6
± = h
4

0
0 0 .5 1 1 .5 ± = h 2

Fig. 5.13–2: Parametric plot of the secondary current i2 /i0 (top) and magnitude of the
ratio |η| = |i2 /i1 | (bottom) in dependence on the normalized skin depth
δ/h
Parameters see Fig. 5.13–1
188 5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

In the limit ω = 0 the following equations are valid

2l
U0 = i1 (RG + RS ) + i1
κh(d − c)
2l
i2 (RE + ) = 0; i2 = 0 ,
κh(b − a)
where the complex amplitudes have been replaced by the corresponding real ampli-
tudes.

5.14 Induced Current Distribution in a Conducting

Slab with Arbitrary Time-Dependency

Consider a slab in −a ≤ x ≤ a with conductivity κ and permeability μ. The infinite

slab is exposed to the field of two time-dependent current sheets
 = ∓ez K(t)
K

on planes x = ±b with b > a in z-direction. The space |x| > a has the permeability μ0 .
Find the magnetic field and the current density inside the conducting slab in case of
an arbitrary time-dependency of the exciting current sheets. The dissipated power in
the conductor for t ≥ 0 has to be determined, when direct currents are turned off at
the time t = 0. Compare the dissipated energy with the energy of the magnetic field
stored in the conducting material before the turn-off. Finally analyze the case of a
harmonic time-dependency.
The exciting field H  E (x, t) of the current sheets without presence of the slab is homo-
geneous in |x| < b.
⎧
⎨ e H (t) = e K(t) ; |x| < b
y E y
H E (x, t) =
⎩ 0 ; |x| > b

In presence of the slab the field is described by the vector potential

⎧
∂ 2
A ⎨ κμ∂A/∂t ; |x| ≤ a
 = ez A(x, t) ;
A ΔA = = .
∂x2 ⎩
0 ; |x| > a; x = ±b
The solution for an arbitrary time-dependence of the current sheet K(t) can be obtained
from the solution for the turn-off of a constant current sheet K0 .
⎧
⎨ K ; t<0
0
K(t) =
⎩ 0 ; t≥0
5.14 Induced Current Distribution in a Conducting Slab 189

K (t) -K (t)

-b -a a b x

¹ 0 k , ¹ ¹ 0

In this case the differential equation is solved for t ≥ 0 by a separation of variables

A(x, t) = X(x)T (t). This results in two ordinary differential equations
1 d2 X κμ dT
2
= = −p2 ; |x| ≤ a
X dx T dt
with the solutions cos(px), sin(px), and exp(−p2 /(κμ)t).
The magnetic field

H  = −ey 1 ∂A = ey H(x, t) ;

 = 1 rot A |x| ≤ a
μ μ ∂x
satisfies the relation H(−x) = H(x) and thus the vector potential takes the form

A(x, t) = cp sin(px) exp(−p2 /(κμ)t) ; |x| ≤ a .
p

With it the magnetic field is

1 
H(x, t) = − p cp cos(px) exp(−p2 /(κμ)t) ; |x| ≤ a .
μ p

At the time t → 0 it has to satisfy the condition

⎧
1  ⎨ K |x| < a
0
H(x, t → 0) = − p cp cos(px) = ,
μ p ⎩ 0 x = ±a
190 5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

when the field in a < |x| < b has already vanished, but inside the slab remains un-
changed. With cos(pa) = 0 and pn a = (2n + 1)π/2 with n = 0, 1, 2, . . . it follows
⎧
∞
 ⎨ −μK ; |x| < a
0
pn cn cos(pn x) = .
⎩ 0 ; x = ±a
n=0

Now because of the orthogonality of the trigonometric functions the constants cn are
given by
a
sin(pn x)  −2μK0 2μK0
pn cn a = −μK0 = sin(pn a) = − (−1)n
pn −a pn pn

2μK0
⇒ cn = (−1)n+1 .
p2n a
Hence the magnetic field is

∞
(−1)n κμ
H(x, t) = 2K0 cos(pn x) exp(−t/τn ) ; τn =
n=0
pn a p2n

and the current density becomes

 = J = rot [ey H(x, t)] = ez ∂H = ez J(x, t)

rot H
∂x

∞
2K0 
⇒ J(x, t) = (−1)n+1 sin(pn x) exp(−t/τn ) .
a n=0

The dissipated power per unit lengths ly and lz in y- and z-direction after turning off
the currents is given by

a a
Pv (t) 1
= J(x, t)E(x, t)dx = J 2 (x, t)dx
ly lz κ
−a −a

and the calculation of the dissipated energy results in

∞ a ∞
Wv 4K02  2
= sin (pn x)dx exp(−2t/τn )dt
ly lz κa2 n=0
−a t=0
2 ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
4K0 exp(−2t/τn )  2K02  μ 2μK02  −2
= a = = p .
κa2 n=0 −2/τn 0 a n=0 p2n a n=0 n
5.14 Induced Current Distribution in a Conducting Slab 191

Before the turn-off the energy of the magnetic field stored in |x| < a per unit lengths
is
a ∞ a
Wm 1 μ 2 1
=  Bdx
H  = 4K0 2
cos2 (pn x)dx
ly lz 2 2 n=0
(p n a)
−a −a
∞
2μK02  Wv
= p−2
n =
a n=0
ly lz

and thus is identical to the dissipated energy Wv .

In case of an arbitrary time-dependence of the exciting current sheets K(t) it is possible
to calculate the resulting field by an integration of infinitesimal field variations. For
this purpose the exponential functions exp(−t/τn ) have to be replaced by the functions
t
K(0) 1 dK(t − τ )
hn (t) = [1 − exp(−t/τn )] + (1 − exp(−τ /τn )) dτ
K0 K0 dt
0

in the previous expressions.

As an example we consider the excitation of a current sheet with sinusoidal time-
dependency. ⎧
⎨ K cos(ωt) ; t ≥ 0
0
K(t) =
⎩ 0 ; t<0
Then the function hn (t) takes the form
t
d
hn (t) = 1 − exp(−t/τn ) + Re {exp(jω(t − τ ))} (1 − exp(−τ /τn ))dτ
dt
0
 
jωτn

= 1 − exp(−t/τn ) + Re exp(jωt) − 1 + exp(−t/τn ) − exp(jωt)

1 + jωτn
 
p2n
= Re (exp(jωt) − exp(−t/τn )) ; α2 = jωκμ .
p2n + α2
For times t  τn the steady state solution remains and the magnetic field can be
described by the complex amplitude
∞
 (−1)n (pn a)
H(x) = 2K0 cos(pn x) ; |x| < a .
n=0
(pn a)2 + (αa)2

This result is also obtained from the differential equation for the complex amplitude.
d2 H cosh(αx)

H(x) = ey H(x) ; = α2 H ; H(x) = C
dx2 cosh(αa)
192 5 Quasi Stationary Fields – Eddy Currents

H 1
K 0
t= ¿ 0
0 .8

0 .6

0 .4

0 .2

0
-1 -0 .5 0 0 .5 x = a 1

3
J
K 0 = a
2

0
t= ¿ 0

-1

-2

-3
-1 -0 .5 0 0 .5 x = a 1

Fig. 5.14–1: Magnetic field H/K0 and current density J/(K0 /a) at different times t/τ0
after turning off the current sheets
t/τ0 = 2·10−4 ; 5·10−4 ; 10−3 ; 2·10−3 ; 5·10−3 ; 10−2 ; 2·10−2 ; 5·10−2 ; 10−1 ; 2·
10−1 ; 5 · 10−1 ; 1; 2; 5; 10
5.14 Induced Current Distribution in a Conducting Slab 193

With H(x = ±a) = K0 it follows

cosh(αx)
H(x) = K0 .
cosh(αa)

Now the series expansion of the hyperbolic function

∞
cosh(αx)
= bn cos(pn x)
cosh(αa) n=0

leads to
a
cosh(αx) 2pn a
bn a = cos(pn x)dx ; bn = (−1)n
cosh(αa) (αa)2 + (pn a)2
−a

and thus ∞
 (−1)n (pn a)
H(x) = 2K0 cos(pn x)
n=0
(αa)2 + (pn a)2
agrees with the previous result.
6. Electromagnetic Waves

6.1 Transient Waves on Ideal Transmission Lines

Two ideal transmission lines with inductance L1 and capacitance C1 in z > 0 and L2
and C2 in z < 0, per unit length respectively, that are of infinite length in one direction
on the z-axis, are interconnected by a switch S in z = 0 at the time t = 0. For times
t < 0 the voltage on the transmission line in z > 0 is U0 and on the transmission line
in z < 0 the voltage is zero.

Calculate the amplitudes of the partial waves the voltages u1,2 (z, t) and the currents

i1,2 (z, t) in z > 0 and z < 0 after the switch has been turned on. Furthermore check
the invariance of the total energy for times t > 0.
After the interconnection at the time t = 0 the partial waves u1 (z − v1 t) ; i1 (z − v1 t)
and u2 (z + v2 t) ; i2 (z + v2 t) propagate in positive and negative direction with phase
velocities v1,2 = (L1,2 C1,2

)−1/2 starting in z = 0. For the amplitudes of the partial
waves the relations
0 0
u1 /i1 = Z1 = L1 /C1 ; −u2 /i2 = Z2 = L2 /C2

hold. The boundary conditions in z = 0 for t > 0 require

u2 = U0 + u1 ; i2 = i1 = u1 /Z1 = −u2 /Z2 ; z=0

and thus lead to

U0 U0
U0 + u1 = −u1 Z2 /Z1 ; u1 = − ; u2 = .
1 + Z2 /Z1 1 + Z1 /Z2
Thus the time responses of the voltages and currents are
⎧
⎪ Z2
⎪
⎨ Z + Z σ (z + v2 t) ; z<0
1 2
u(z, t) = U0
⎪
⎪ Z1
⎩ 1− [1 − σ (z − v1 t)] ; z > 0
Z1 + Z2
⎧
U0 ⎨ σ (z + v t) ; z<0
2
i(z, t) = −
Z1 + Z2 ⎩ [1 − σ (z − v1 t)] ; z > 0

with ⎧
⎨ 0 ; x≤0
σ(x) =
⎩ 1 ; x > 0.

G.Mrozynski, M.Stallein, Electromagnetic Field Theory, DOI 10.1007/978-3-8348-2178-2_6,

© Springer Vieweg | Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden 2013
6.1 Transient Waves on Ideal Transmission Lines 195

u (z , t)

U 0

v 1

Z 2
U 0
v Z 1 + Z 2
2

z
v 2 t v 1 t

-i(z , t)

U 0
v 2 Z + Z
1 2 v 1

Fig. 6.1–1: Voltage and current in dependence on z and t

The energy We (t) + Wm (t) of the electromagnetic field stored in the section
−v2 t < z < v1 t must be equal to the electrostatic energy, that has been stored in
0 < z < v1 t before the interconnection. The energy We (t) of the electric field for t > 0
is

We (t) = 1/2 C1 (U0 + u1 )2 v1 t + 1/2 C2 u22 v2 t

 2
Z1
= 1/2 C1 U02 1 − (L1 C1 )−1/2 t +
Z1 + Z2
 2
 2 Z2
+1/2C2 U0 (L2 C2 )−1/2 t
Z1 + Z2
Z2 /Z1
= 1/2 U02 t
Z1 + Z2
196 6 Electromagnetic Waves

and the energy Wm (t) of the magnetic field is

Wm (t) = 1/2 L1i21 v1 t + 1/2 L2 i22 v2 t

U02  
   −1/2    −1/2
= 1/2 L 1 (L 1 C 1 ) + L 2 (L 2 C2 ) t
(Z1 + Z2 )2
U02
= 1/2 t.
Z1 + Z2

Therewith the energy of the propagating waves becomes

We (t) + Wm (t) = 1/2 U02 /Z1 t

and this is also the energy, that has been stored in the electrostatic field in 0 < z < v1 t
before the interconnection.
−1/2
We (t < 0)|0<z<v1 t = 1/2 C1 U02 (L1 C1 ) t = 1/2 U02 /Z1 t

6.2 Excitation of Hybrid Waves in a Rectangular Waveguide

The modes of a homogeneous waveguide with rectangular cross section of dimensions

a and b > a and with perfect conducting walls are excited by the current

i(y, t) = I0 cos(πy/b) cos (ωt) = Re{I0 cos (π y/b) exp(jωt)}

at position (z = 0 ; x = a/2). The permittivity ε and permeability μ are constant.

Calculate the amplitudes of the excited modes.

The electromagnetic field is described by the vector potentials A TM = 
ez AT M and

F T E = ez F T E .

   1 1
H = H TE + HTM = rot rot F T E + rot A

TM
jωμε μ

    1 
E = E T E + E T M = −1/ε rot F T E + rot rot A TM
jωμε

 T M ) = grad AT M × ez = −ey ∂AT M + ex ∂AT M

 T M = rot (A
B
∂x ∂y

 1 
E TM = rot rot A TM =
jωμε
  
1 ∂ 2 AT M ∂ 2 AT M M
2 
= ex + ey + ez β 2 − βzTmn AT M
jωμε ∂x∂z ∂y∂z
6.2 Excitation of Hybrid Waves in a Rectangular Waveguide 197

¹ , "

I 0 c o s(¼ y = b )

a = 2 a x

 
 1  1 ∂F T E ∂F T E
E T E = − rot F T E = ey − ex
ε ε ∂x ∂y

 TE = 1
H rot rot F T E =
jωμε
  
1 ∂2F T E ∂ 2F T E 2
T E
2 
= ex + ey + ez β − βzmn F TE
jωμε ∂x∂z ∂y∂z

β 2 = ω 2 με ; βz2mn = β 2 − βmn
2

The potentials satisfy the differential equations

Δ AT M + β 2 AT M = 0 ; Δ F T E + β2 F T E = 0 .

At the perfect conducting boundary with contour C and surface normal n the tangential
component of the electric field E  and the normal component of the magnetic field
 = μH
B  vanish. This requirement leads to the following conditions for the potentials.

∂F T E 
A T M |C = 0 ; = 0
∂n C

The excited waves propagate in positive and negative z-direction starting from the
point of excitement in z = 0. With respect to the boundary conditions the solution of
198 6 Electromagnetic Waves

the differential equation for the potentials is


AT M = C (1,2) TM
mn sin(mπ x/a) sin(nπ y/b) exp(∓jβzmn z)
m,n

F TE = A(1,2) TE
mn cos(mπ x/a) cos(nπ y/b) exp(∓jβzmn z) .
m,n

Here the constants C (1) (1) (2) (2)

mn and Amn (C mn and Amn ) belong to the waves that propa-
gate in positive (negative) z-direction according to the negative (positive) sign in the
argument of the exponential function.

As the eigenvalues of the rectangular waveguide are degenerated applies for the prop-
agation constants
" #1/2
βzTmn
E
= βzTmn
M
= βzmn = β 2 − βmn
2
; 2
βmn = (m π/a)2 + (n π/b)2 .

For the evaluation of the boundary conditions in z = 0 it is convenient to consider a

current-sheet with a complex amplitude K(x, y).

The z-component of the magnetic flux density

 = (β 2 − β 2 ) F /(jωε)
ez B zmn TE

is continuous in z = 0. Hence it is

A(1) (2)
mn = Amn = Amn .

For the electric flux density D = εE  holds the condition

   
ez D  −  
D = σ.
z>0 z<0
z→0 z→0

Because of the symmetry with respect to z = 0 this boundary condition leads to

C (1) (2)
mn = −C mn = C mn .

The continuity of the tangential component of the electric field E  in z = 0 gives the
same result. Finally the last boundary condition in z = 0 is
 
ez × H  z>0 − H 
 z<0 = K(x, y) = ey K(x, y)
z→0 z→0

 
H y  z>0 − H y  z<0 = 0 ; H x | z>0 − H x | z<0 = K(x, y)
z→0 z→0 z→0 z→0
6.2 Excitation of Hybrid Waves in a Rectangular Waveguide 199

1 ∂AT M 1 ∂2F T E
Hy = − +
μ ∂x jωμε ∂y∂z
1 ∂AT M 1 ∂2F T E
Hx = + .
μ ∂y jωμε ∂x∂z

At first the y-component of the magnetic field yields

  
2 mπ 2nπjβzmn
cos(mπ x/a) sin(nπ y/b) − C mn + Amn = 0
m,n
μ a jωμεb

βzmn n a
⇒ C mn = A
ωε m b mn
and with it the evaluation of the x-component results in

  
1 nπ 2mπjβzmn
sin(mπ x/a) cos(nπ y/b) 2C mn + Amn = K(x, y)
m,n
μ b jωμεa

2  βzmn mπ " #
Amn 1 + (n/m)2 (a/b)2 sin(mπx/a) cos(nπ y/b) =
μ m,n ωε a

= K(x, y) = I0 cos(πy/b) δ(x − a/2) .

Thus because of the given exciting current only solutions with n = 1 exist and with
the orthogonality of the trigonometric functions we obtain after multiplication with
sin(kπ x/a) and integration from x = 0 to x = a
⎧
2 βzm1 mπ " # ⎨ 0 ; m = 2k
Am1 1 + (a/b)2 /m2 a/2 = I0 sin(mπ/2) = I0
μ ωε a ⎩ (−1)k ; m = 2k + 1

with k = 0, 1, 2, . . ..

The final result is

μI0 (−1)k ωε 1
A2k+1,1 = ; A2k,1 = 0
π 1 + (a/b)2 /m2 βz2k+1,1 2k + 1

μI0 (−1)k a/b 1

C 2k+1,1 = ; C 2k,1 = 0 ; k = 0, 1, 2, . . . .
π 1 + (a/b)2 /m2 (2k + 1)2
200 6 Electromagnetic Waves

6.3 Excitation of Transverse Electric Waves

in a Parallel-Plate Waveguide

The field of a short-circuited parallel-plate waveguide with perfect conducting bound-

aries in y = 0, y = a, and z = 0 is excited by a current sheet


K(y, t) = ex K0 cos(πy/a) cos(ωt) = ex Re {K0 cos(πy/a) exp(jωt)}

in (z = b ; 0 < y < a). Inside the waveguide (0 < y < a ; z > 0) the permittivity is ε
and the permeability is μ.

Calculate the amplitudes of the excited Modes.

K
¹ , " ¹ , "

b z

The field inside the waveguide is divided into transverse electric (TE-) and transverse
magnetic (TM-)Waves with respect to the z-direction and is thus described by the
vector potentials

  2
A TM = 
ez AT M ; ΔA T M + β AT M = 0

F T E = ez F T E ; ΔF T E + β 2 F T E = 0

in z = b with β 2 = ω 2 με. Now the field is derived from

 
 1  1 1 ∂AT M ∂AT M
H TM = rot (A TM ) = grad A TM × 
e z = −
e y + 
e x
μ μ μ ∂x ∂y
 
 1  1 ∂ 2 AT M ∂ 2 AT M 2 T M2
E TM = rot rot A TM = 
e x + 
e y + 
e z (β − β z )A TM
jωμε jωμε ∂x∂z ∂y∂z
6.3 Excitation of Transverse Electric Waves in a Parallel-Plate Waveguide 201

 
 TE 1  1 ∂F T E ∂F T E
E = − rot F T E = ey − ex
ε ε ∂x ∂y
 
 1  1 ∂2F T E ∂2F T E 2 T E2
H TE = rot rot F T E = ex + ey + ez (β − βz )F T E .
jωμε jωμε ∂x∂z ∂y∂z
As the field is independent of the x-coordinate, the transverse magnetic field has only
a x-component and thus is not excited by a current sheet in x-direction. Hence the
resulting field is purely transverse electric with respect to the z-direction.
At the perfect conducting boundary the tangential component of the electric field
and the normal component of the magnetic flux density vanish. These conditions are
satisfied, when the normal derivative of the potential F T E vanishes at the boundaries
y = 0, y = a:  
∂F T E  ∂F T E 
= = 0,
∂y y=0 ∂y y=a
and in z = 0 the potential itself vanishes:

F T E |z=0 = 0 .

If only the first condition is met, the solution of the differential equation for the vector
potential F T E reads
∞
 
F TE = TE
C n cos(nπy/a) exp(∓jβzn z) ; TE
βzn = β 2 − (nπ/a)2 = βzn .
n=1

This solution describes waves, that propagate in positive (negative) z-direction,

according to the negative (positive) sign in the argument of the exponential function.
In 0 < z < b we need waves, that propagate in both directions, so that the sum of all
waves satisfies the boundary condition in z = 0. The resulting vector potential is
⎧ ⎫ ⎧
∞ ⎨
 (1) ⎬ ⎨ sin(β z)/ sin(β b) ; 0 < z < b
Cn zn zn
FTE = cos(nπy/a)
⎩ C (2) ⎭ ⎩ exp(−jβzn (z − b)) ; z > b.
n=1 n

The continuity of the z-component of the magnetic flux density in z = b requires the
continuity of the potential F T E , and hence C (1) (2)
n = C n = C n.
This constant follows from the boundary condition for the tangential component of the
magnetic field at the position of the current sheet.
   
  1 ∂ 2
F  ∂ 2
F 
H y  z<b − H y  z>b = K0 cos(πy/a) = T E  − T E  =
z→b z→b jωμε ∂y∂z  z<b ∂y∂z  z>b
z→b z→b
202 6 Electromagnetic Waves

0 b z
y

0 b z

Fig. 6.3–1: Magnetic lines of force below the cut-off (ω = 1011 [s−1 ], top) and for an
excitation of one propagating mode
(ω = 2 · 1011 [s−1 ], bottom)
Parameters: a = 0.01 [m], b/a = 0.8, ε = ε0 , and μ = μ0
6.3 Excitation of Transverse Electric Waves in a Parallel-Plate Waveguide 203

0 b z
y

0
b z

Fig. 6.3–2: Magnetic lines of force when two (ω = 4 · 1011 [s−1 ], top) and three (ω =
6 · 1011 [s−1 ], bottom) propagating modes are excited, Parameters: see Fig.
6.3–1
204 6 Electromagnetic Waves

∞
1  nπ exp(jβzn b)
= − C βzn sin(nπy/a) = K0 cos(πy/a)
jωμε n=1 n a sin(βzn b)
Now, due to the orthogonality of the trigonometric functions the multiplication with
sin(kπy/a) and integration from y = 0 to y = a leads to
a
1 kπ exp(jβzk b) a
− C k βzk = K0 · cos(πy/a) sin(kπy/a)dy
jωμε a sin(βzk b) 2
0
& '( )
= 0 for k = 2m + 1 and
= a/π2k/(k 2 − 1) for k = 2m
and thus
4 ωμεa sin(βzn b) exp(−jβzn b)
C n = −jK0 ; n = 2m; m = 1, 2, 3, . . . .
π 2 βzn n2 − 1
So only modes with even modal numbers n = 2m are excited. The fundamental TE-
mode with n = 1 is not excited by the current sheet.

6.4 Coaxial Cable with Inhomogeneous Dielectric

A coaxial cable with perfect conductors, inner radius a, and outer radius b > a is
of infinite extension in the negative z-direction and is short circuited in z = c. The
permittivity is ε0 in −∞ < z < 0 and ε in 0 ≤ z < c. The permeability μ is constant.
In z < 0 a TEM-wave with the electric field
 = e E a/ exp(−jβ0 z) ; √
E e 0 β0 = ω με0

is excited.
Calculate the resulting field and find the voltage u(z) and the current i(z) on the cable.
Choose a value c such that the voltage u(z) at position z = −λ0 = −2π/β0 vanishes.
The magnetic field of the excited wave is

H  e = eϕ E 0 /Z0 a/ exp(−jβ0 z) ;
 e = 1/Z0ez × E Z0 = μ/ε0 .

An ansatz for the resulting electric field, that accounts for the reflections at z = 0 and
z = c, is
⎧
⎨ exp(−jβ0 z) + A exp(jβ0 z) ; z ≤ 0
 z) = e E a
E( , 0
⎩ B exp(−jβz) + C exp(jβz) ; 0 ≤ z ≤ c
6.4 Coaxial Cable with Inhomogeneous Dielectric 205

b
a

c z

" 0,¹ " ,¹

√
with waves, that propagate in ±z-direction with phase constants β0 and β = ω με.
 = ±1/Z ez × E
For each partial wave holds the fundamental relation H  and thus it is
⎧
E a ⎨ exp(−jβ0 z) − A exp(jβ0 z) ; z≤0

H( , z) = eϕ 0
Z0 ⎩ Z0 /Z(B exp(−jβz) − C exp(jβz)) ; 0 ≤ z ≤ c


with Z = μ/ε for 0 < z < c.
The unknown constants follow from the boundary conditions

 
ez × E = 0; E( , z)| z<0 = E( , z)| z>0 ; H( , z)| z<0 = H( , z)| z>0 .
z=c z→0 z→0 z→0 z→0

This leads to the equations 1 + A = B + C ;

1 − A = Z0 /Z (B − C) ; B exp(−jβc) + C exp(jβc) = 0
and finally

r − exp(−2jβc) 2Z
A = ; B = (1 − r exp(−2jβc))−1
1 − r exp(−2jβc) Z0 + Z

−2Z exp(−2jβc) Z − Z0
C = ; r = .
Z0 + Z 1 − r exp(−2jβc) Z + Z0

In the purely formal limit Z → 0 it is r = −1 and

A|Z→0 = −1 ; C|Z→0 = B|Z→0 = 0.

This is the solution for the total reflection of incident waves at a perfect conducting
wall in z = 0. With ε = ε0 it is r = 0 and

A|Z=Z0 = − exp(−2jβc) ; B|Z=Z0 = 1 ; C|Z=Z0 = − exp(−2jβc).

206 6 Electromagnetic Waves

Now this describes the total reflection at the plane z = c in a coaxial cable with
homogeneous permittivity ε0 .
The voltage and the current on the cable are

b b
u(z) =  z) e d =
E( , E( , z) d =
a a
⎧
⎨ exp(−jβ z) + A exp(jβ z) ; z ≤ 0
0 0
= u0 ln(b/a)
⎩ B exp(−jβz) + C exp(jβz) ; 0 ≤ z ≤ c

2π
i(z) = 
H( , z)eϕ dϕ
0
⎧
⎨ exp(−jβ z) − A exp(jβ z) ; z≤0
0 0
= 2πi0
⎩ Z0 /Z(B exp(−jβz) − C exp(jβz)) ; 0≤z≤c

with u0 = E 0 a and i0 = u0 /Z0 .

The constraint u(z = −2π/β0 ) = 0 is satisfied if 1 + A = 0 and thus

A = −1 = (r − 1)/(1 − r) .

This leads to exp(−2jβc) = 1 and results in c = mπ/β ; m = 0, 1, 2, . . . .

6.5 Cylindrical Waveguide Resonator with

Inhomogeneous Permittivity

A cylindrical waveguide resonator with perfect conducting boundaries in = a, z = −c

and z = d is filled in ( < a; −c < z < 0) with material of permittivity ε1 and in
( < a; 0 ≤ z < d) with material of permittivity ε2 . The permeability μ is constant.
Find the resonance frequencies of the modes, that are transverse electric (TE) or trans-
verse magnetic (TM) relative to the z-axis.
The field inside the resonator can be derived by means of axial vector potentials


A F T E = ez F T E
TM = 
ez AT M ;

2 2
ΔAT M + β1,2 AT M = 0 ; ΔF T E + β1,2 F T E = 0,
6.5 Cylindrical Waveguide Resonator with Inhomogeneous Permittivity 207

" 2, ¹

a %
" 1,¹

-c

out of which the field is calculated by

 T M = rot A
B  T M = −ez × grad AT M = μ H
 TM

1  
 TM = 2 (1,2)2
E grad s (∂AT M /∂z) + ez (β1,2 − βT M )AT M
jωμε1,2
 
E T E = −1/ε1,2 rot F T E = 1/ε1,2 
ez × grad F T E ; grad s = grad − ez ∂/∂z

B 1  
 2 (1,2)2
H TE =
TE
= grad s (∂F T E /∂z) + ez (β1,2 − βT E )F T E .
μ jωμε1,2
 and accordingly the normal
At the cylinder wall = a the tangential component of E
component of B vanish. Therefore it is

AT M |=a = 0 ; ∂F T E /∂ |=a = 0

and in the domain (1) for −c < z < 0 and (2) for 0 < z < d the solution may be
written in the following form.
(1,2) (1,2) (1,2)
AT M ( , ϕ, z) = C T M UT Mnr ( ) φn (ϕ) ZT Mnr (z)
(1,2) (1,2) (1,2)
F T E ( , ϕ, z) = C T E UT Enr ( ) φn (ϕ) ZT Enr (z)

∂UT Enr /∂ |=a = 0 ; UT Mnr ( = a) = 0

208 6 Electromagnetic Waves

UT Mnr ( ) = Jn (xnr /a) ; UT Enr ( ) = Jn (xnr /a)

⎧ ⎫
⎨ cos nϕ ⎬
φn (ϕ) = ; Jn (xnr ) = 0 ; Jn (xnr ) = 0
⎩ sin nϕ ⎭
(1,2) (1,2) (1,2) (1,2)
ZT Mnr (z) = exp(∓jβT Mnr z) ; ZT Enr (z) = exp(∓jβT Enr z)

0 0 r = 1, 2, . . .
(1,2) 2 − (x /a)2 ; (1,2) 2 − (x /a)2 ;
βT Mnr = β1,2 nr βT Enr = β1,2 nr
n = 0, 1, 2, . . .
 and
Also at the top and bottom wall z = d and z = −c the tangential component of E

accordingly the normal component of B vanish and
∂AT M /∂z|z=−c,d = 0 ; F T E |z=−c,d = 0
holds. The solution functions, that describe waves propagating in positive and negative
z-direction, have to be superposed with respect to these boundary conditions. It follows
(1) (1) (2) (2)
ZT Mnr (z) = cos(βT Mnr (z + c)) ; ZT Mnr (z) = cos(βT Mnr (z − d))
(1) (1) (2) (2)
ZT Enr (z) = sin(βT Enr (z + c)) ; ZT Enr (z) = sin(βT Enr (z − d)) .
In z = 0 the tangential components of E  and H
 are continuous.
(1) (1) (2) (2)
C T M cos(βT Mnr c) = C T M cos(βT Mnr d)

(1) (1) (1) (2) (2) (2)

1/ε1 C T M βT Mnr sin(βT Mnr c) = −1/ε2 C T M βT Mnr sin(βT Mnr d)

(1) (1) (2) (2)

1/ε1 C T E sin(βT Enr c) = −1/ε2 C T E sin(βT Enr d)

(1) (1) (1) (2) (2) (2)

1/ε1 C T E βT Enr cos(βT Enr c) = 1/ε2 C T E βT Enr cos(βT Enr d)

Therewith the eigenvalue equations for the TE- and TM-Modes follow from the division
of the related equations.
(1) (1) (2) (2)
βT Mnr tan(βT Mnr c) = −ε1 /ε2 βT Mnr tan(βT Mnr d)
(1)2 (2)2
βT Mnr − βT Mnr = β12 − β22 = ωnr
2
μ(ε1 − ε2 )
(1)
(1) βT Enr (2)
tan(βT Enr c) = − (2)
tan(βT Enr d)
βT Enr
(1)2 (2)2
βT Enr − βT Enr = β12 − β22 = ωnr
2
μ(ε1 − ε2 )
The determination of the resonance frequencies ωnr requires a numerical solution of
the transcendental eigenvalue equations.
6.6 Guided Waves in a Parallel-Plate Waveguide with Layered Permittivity 209

6.6 Guided Waves in a Parallel-Plate Waveguide

with Layered Permittivity

Two perfect conducting walls in y = 0 and y = b form a parallel-plate waveguide, that

is in 0 < y < a filled with material of permittivity ε1 , and in a < y < b with material
of permittivity ε2 . The permeability μ is constant.
Calculate the phase constants of the waves, that are independent of the x-coordinate
and propagate in z-direction.

a b y

" 1,¹ " 2,¹

The guided waves are either transverse electric (TE) modes or transverse magnetic
(TM) modes. Therefore the field is described by the vector potentials

 2
A TM = 
ez AT M (y, z) ; ΔAT M + β1,2 AT M = 0

2 2
F T E = ez F T E (y, z) ; ΔF T E + β1,2 F TE = 0 ; β1,2 = ω 2 με1,2

   
with B T M = rot AT M and E T E = −1/ε rot F T E .
 
 ∂A  1 ∂ 2 AT M 2 2
B ex T M ;
TM =  E TM = e y + 
e z (β 1,2 − β TM )A TM
∂y jωμε1,2 ∂y ∂z
 
 T E = − 1 ex ∂F T E ; 1 ∂2F T E 2
E  TE =
H ey + ez (β1,2 − βT2 E )F T E
ε ∂y jωμε1,2 ∂y ∂z
210 6 Electromagnetic Waves

√ "√ #
ε1 /ε2 c2 − u2 tanh c2 − u2 (b/a − 1)

4 0

2 0

0
u ta n u

-2 0

-4 0

0 ¼ / 2 ¼ 3 ¼ / 2 2 ¼ u
1
¯ T M
¯ 1

0 .8

0 .6

0 1 0 2 0 3 0 ¯ 1a

Fig. 6.6–1: Solutions of the eigenvalue equation for TM-modes with

ω = 1.1 · 1011 [s−1 ] and phase constants in dependence on the normalized
frequency for ε1 /ε2 = 5 and a/b = 0.25
c2 = a2 (β12 − β22 ); u2 = a2 (β12 − βT2 M )
6.6 Guided Waves in a Parallel-Plate Waveguide with Layered Permittivity 211

√ "√ #
− c2 − u2 coth c2 − u2 (b/a − 1)

2 0

1 0

u c o t u
0

-1 0

-2 0
0 ¼ / 2 ¼ 3 ¼ / 2 2 ¼ u
1
¯ T E

¯ 1

0 .8

0 .6

 1 0 2 0 3 0 ¯ 1a

Fig. 6.6–2: Solutions of the eigenvalue equation for TE-modes with

ω = 1.1 · 1011 [s−1 ] and phase constants in dependence on the normalized
frequency for ε1 /ε2 = 5 and a/b = 0.25
c2 = a2 (β12 − β22 ); u2 = a2 (β12 − βT2 E )
212 6 Electromagnetic Waves

a
2

a
2
0 a b
y

Fig. 6.6–3: Electric lines of force of the fundamental TM-mode

ε1 /ε2 = 2; ω = 5 · 1010 [s−1 ]; βT M = 231.1 [m−1 ]

The field satisfies the boundary conditions

    
 
ey × E  
= 0 ; ey × E = 
e y ×  
E ;  
ey × H = 
e y ×  
H .
y<a y>a y<a y>a
y=0,b y→a y→a y→a y→a

An approach for the solution of the differential equation for the TM-modes is
∂ 2 AT M 2 ∂AT M
+ (β1,2 − βT2 M ) AT M = 0 ; = 0; 2
β1,2 = ω 2 με1,2
∂y 2 ∂x
⎧ ⎫
⎨ C sin(β 2 − β 2 y) ⎬ 0<y<a
1 1 TM
AT M =  exp(∓jβT M z); .
⎩ C sin( β 2 − β 2 (y − b)) ⎭ a<y<b
2 2 TM
6.6 Guided Waves in a Parallel-Plate Waveguide with Layered Permittivity 213

a
2

a
2
0 a b
y

Fig. 6.6–4: Electric lines of force of the second TM-mode

ε1 /ε2 = 0.2; ω = 6 · 1010 [s−1 ]; βT M = 215.3 [m−1 ]

This approach already satisfies the first boundary condition and the two other boundary
conditions require
   
∂AT M  ∂AT M  β12 − βT2 M  β22 − βT2 M 
 =  ; AT M  = AT M  y>a .
∂y y<a ∂y y>a ε1 y<a
y→a
ε2 y→a
y→a y→a

The evaluation of the boundary conditions leads to


C 1 β12 − βT2 M cos( β22 − βT2 M (a − b))
= 
C 2 β22 − βT2 M cos( β12 − βT2 M a)

ε2 C 1 (β12 − βT2 M ) sin( β22 − βT2 M (a − b))
= 
ε1 C 2 (β22 − βT2 M ) sin( β12 − βT2 M a)
214 6 Electromagnetic Waves

a
2

a
2
0 a b
y

Fig. 6.6–5: Magnetic lines of force of the third TE-mode

ε1 /ε2 = 2; ω = 8.2 · 1010 [s−1 ]; βT E = 273.5 [m−1 ]

and gives rise for the eigenvalue equation

0 0 0 0
ε1
β12 −βT2 M tan( β12 −βT2 M a) = β22 −βT2 M tan( β22 −βT2 M (a − b)) ,
ε2
for the determination of the phase constants βT M of the TM-modes. As the eigenvalue
equation has to be solved numerically, it is useful to apply the substitutions
c2 = a2 (β12 − β22 ) and u2 = a2 (β12 − (βT M )2 ), with the result:
 
u tan(u) = ε1 /ε2 c2 − u2 tanh c2 − u2 (b/a − 1) .

An analog approach holds for the TE-modes.With

∂2F T E 2 ∂F T E
+ (β1,2 − βT2 E ) F T E = 0 ; = 0
∂y 2 ∂x
6.6 Guided Waves in a Parallel-Plate Waveguide with Layered Permittivity 215

a
2

a
2
0 a b
y

Fig. 6.6–6: Magnetic lines of force of the second TE-mode

ε1 /ε2 = 0.2; ω = 7.17 · 1010 [s−1 ]; βT E = 239.2 [m−1 ]

the solution takes the form

⎧ ⎫
⎨ C cos(β 2 − β 2 y) ⎬ 0<y<a
3 1 TE
F TE =  exp(∓jβT E z) ;
⎩ C cos( β 2 − β 2 (y − b)) ⎭ a < y < b,
4 2 TE

that satisfies the boundary condition ( ∂F T E /∂y)|y=0,b = 0.

The evaluation of the two other boundary conditions in x = a results in


ε2 C 3 β12 − βT2 E sin( β22 − βT2 E (a − b))
= 
ε1 C 4 β22 − βT2 E sin( β12 − βT2 E a)
216 6 Electromagnetic Waves

and 
ε2 C 3 β12 − βT2 E cos( β22 − βT2 E (a − b))
=  ,
ε1 C 4 β22 − βT2 E cos( β12 − βT2 E a)
and leads to the eigenvalue equation
0 0 0 0
β12 − βT2 E cot( β12 − βT2 E a) = β22 − βT2 E cot( β22 − βT2 E (a − b)) ,

out of which the phase constants βT E of the TE-Modes follow. Again, with the sub-
stitutions c2 = a2 (β12 − β22 ) and u2 = a2 (β12 − (βT E )2 ) one gets
 
u cot(u) = − c2 − u2 coth c2 − u2 (b/a − 1) .

6.7 Group of Hertzian Dipoles

Four Hertzian dipoles with moments ez Is (s  λ) are located at positions (±a; 0; 0)
and (0; 0; ±b) in the homogeneous space of permittivity ε and permeability μ.
Calculate the far-field of the group and find the zeros of the radiation pattern in the
plane x = 0 for b = 2λ.

z
P

I s
¹ ," r p
b

I s I s

x
-a a
I s

-b

The magnetic far-field H  at the observation point rp of a single dipole ez Is located
0
at the point of origin is
 
 0 = jβ Is ez × rp exp(−jβrp ) ; √
H β = ω με = 2π/λ .
4π rp rp
6.7 Group of Hertzian Dipoles 217

If the same dipole is located at position rq , then the excited far field is
 
 jβ rp exp(−jβrp )  exp(jβrq rp /rp ) .
H = Is ez × exp(jβrq rp /rp ) = H 0
4π rp rp
With rq = ±ex a, rq = ±ez b, and

rp /rp = ex sin ϑ cos ϕ + ey sin ϑ sin ϕ + ez cos ϑ = er

it follows for the far-field of the group

 = H
H  0 [exp(jβa sin ϑ cos ϕ) + exp(−jβa sin ϑ cos ϕ) +
+ exp(jβb cos ϑ) + exp(−jβb cos ϑ)]
 0 [cos(βa sin ϑ cos ϕ) + cos(βb cos ϑ)] = 2 H
= 2H  0 f (ϑ, ϕ) .

Within the far-field the electric field becomes

E  = −2Z er × H
 = −Z er × H  f (ϑ, ϕ)
0
jβ exp(−jβrp )
= −Z Is · er × (ez × er ) · f (ϑ, ϕ)
2π & '( ) rp
= −eϑ sin ϑ

 = eϑ jβ IZs exp(−jβrp ) sin ϑ f (ϑ, ϕ) ,

E
2π rp

where Z = μ/ε is the wave impedance. Therewith the time-average S  − of the

Poynting vector S in the far-field is
 
− = 1/2 Re E
S  ×H  ∗ = −Z/2(er × H)  ∗ = er Z/2|H|
 ×H  2 = er S− (rp , ϑ, ϕ)

 |2 f 2 (ϑ, ϕ) = 2Z(β/4π)2 I I ∗ s2 sin2 ϑ f 2 (ϑ, ϕ)/r2

S− (rp , ϑ, ϕ) = 2Z|H 0 p

⇒ S− (rp , ϑ, ϕ) = Z/2(|I|s/λ)2 sin2 ϑ f 2 (ϑ, ϕ)/rp2 .

This leads to the radiation pattern

Φ(ϑ, ϕ) = S− rp2 = Z/2(|I|s/λ)2 sin2 ϑ f 2 (ϑ, ϕ) .

It follows for the plane x = 0 with ϕ = ±π/2

2
Φ(ϑ, ϕ = ±π/2) = Z/2(|I|s/λ)2 sin2 ϑ [1 + cos(βb cos ϑ)] .

Finally with b = 2λ the zeros of the radiation pattern are given by

βb cos ϑ = (2k + 1)π ; k = −2; −1; 0, 1

cos ϑ = (2k + 1)/4 .

Furthermore additional zeros exist at ϑ = 0 and ϑ = π.
218 6 Electromagnetic Waves

z
3 0 ° 6 0 °
1

0 .5

0 1 2 3 x

0 .5

1
1 5 0 ° 1 2 0 °
z
3 0 ° 6 0 °
1 .5

0 .5

0 1 3
2 y

0 .5

1 .5
1 5 0 ° 1 2 0 °

Fig. 6.7–1: Vertical radiation pattern Φ(ϑ, ϕ)/Φ0 for ϕ = 0 (top) and
ϕ = π/2 (bottom) with βb = 4π, βa = 2π, and Φ0 = Z/2(|I|s/λ)2
6.8 Linear Antenna in Front of a Conducting Plane 219

y
1 2 0 ° 6 0 °

1 5 0 ° 3 0 °
2

4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4 x

2
2 1 0 ° 3 3 0 °

2 4 0 ° 3 0 0 °

Fig. 6.7–2: Horizontal radiation pattern Φ(ϑ, ϕ)/Φ0 for ϑ = π/2 and βa = 2π

6.8 Linear Antenna in Front of a Conducting Plane

A linear antenna of length 0 < z < 3/4λ is positioned in front of a perfect conducting
plane in z = 0 and carries the current
√
i(z, t) = Re {i0 cos(2π z/λ) exp(jωt)} ; 2π/λ = β = ω με .

Calculate the far-field and the radiation pattern in z > 0, where the permittivity is ε
and the permeability is μ.
At the perfect conducting boundary the tangential component ez × E|  z=0 vanishes
and it is thus possible to apply the method of images to describe the field in z > 0.
For this purpose the given current i(z, t) on the z-axis is extended to the total length
−3/4λ < z < 3/4λ and the antenna is assumed to be in the homogeneous space with
material properties μ, ε.
220 6 Electromagnetic Waves

3 ¸
4
i0 c o s(2 ¼ z = ¸ )

r
#
¹ ,"

k ® ¥

The excited magnetic far-field can be determined by an integration of the contribu-

 rp ) of infinitesimal dipoles ez i dz over the total length −3/4λ < z < 3/4λ.
tions dH( 0
Alternatively the contribution of three λ/2-dipoles can be summarized. The single
λ/2-dipole carries the current i(z, t) on the z-axis but is restricted to the length
−λ/4 < z < λ/4. Now at first the magnetic far-field of a λ/2-dipole is calculated
by an integration of the contributions of Hertzian dipoles.
A Hertzian current element ez i0 dzq at position rq = ez zq in the homogeneous space
provides the differential contribution dH to the magnetic far-field
 
 β rp exp(−jβrp )
dH(rp ) = j i dzq ez × exp(jβzq ez rp /rp ) .
4π 0 rp rp

According to the specified current in −λ/4 < z < λ/4 (λ/2−dipole) this leads the
 .
following magnetic far-field H D

  λ/4
 (rp ) = j β i
H ez ×
rp exp(−jβrp )
cos(βzq ) exp(jβzq cos ϑ) dzq
D
4π 0 rp rp
−λ/4

i0 exp(−jβrp ) cos(π/2 cos ϑ)

= eϕ j = eϕ H D (rp , ϑ)
2π rp sin ϑ

The resulting field H G of the antenna with the current i(z, t) in −3/4λ < z < 3/4λ
is the superposition of the fields of three λ/2-dipoles with midpoints at zq = 0, ±λ/2,
taking into account the correct phase of the currents.
6.8 Linear Antenna in Front of a Conducting Plane 221

3 0 °
1 .5

1
6 0 °

0 .5

0 0 .5 1 1 .5 9 0 °

0 .5

1 2 0 °
1

1 .5
1 5 0 °

Fig. 6.8–1: Vertical radiation pattern Φ(ϑ)/Φ0 , with Φ0 = |i0 |2 Z/(8π 2 )

 = eϕ H [1 − exp(jβλ/2 cos ϑ) − exp(−jβλ/2 cos ϑ)] = eϕ H [1 − 2 cos(π cos ϑ)]
H G D D

With it the related electric far-field is


 = Z(H
E  × er ) ; er = rp /rp ; Z = μ/ε .
G G

 is
Finally the time-averaged Poynting vector S
 
− = 1 Re E
S  ∗ = 1 Z|H
 ×H  |2 er = er S−
G G G
2 2
222 6 Electromagnetic Waves

Z |i0 |2 1 cos2 (π/2 cos ϑ) 2

S− = [1 − 2 cos(π cos ϑ)]
2 4π 2 rp2 sin2 ϑ
and therewith the radiation pattern takes the form
 2
2 2 Z cos(π/2 cos ϑ)(1 − 2 cos(π cos ϑ))
Φ(ϑ) = S− rp = |i0 | .
8π 2 sin ϑ
The horizontal radiation pattern in ϑ = π/2 is a circle.

6.9 Hertzian Dipoles Along the x-Axis

Four Hertzian dipoles with moments ez Is (s  λ) are located at positions

(−c ± a, 0, 0) and (c ± b, 0, 0) with c > a, b in the homogeneous space of permittivity ε
and permeability μ. Find the magnetic far-field.

¹ ," z

2 a 2 b
x

2 c

 (rp ) of the dipoles at (−c ± a, 0, 0) alone is

The magnetic far-field H 1

H  [exp(jβa sin ϑ cos ϕ) + exp(−jβa sin ϑ cos ϕ)] = 2H

 (rp ) = H  cos(βa sin ϑ cos ϕ)
1 0 0

 0 is the magnetic far-field of one dipole located at the point of origin

where H
 
 jβ rp exp(−jβrp )
H 0 (rp ) = Is ez × .
4π rp rp
 (rp ) of the dipoles at (c ± b, 0, 0) alone is
Similarly the far-field H 2

 (rp ) = 2H
H  cos(βb sin ϑ cos ϕ) .
2 0

Thus, the magnetic far-field of only two dipoles is independent of c.

 rp ) of the four dipoles is given by
The resulting far-field H(

H(  exp(−jβc sin ϑ cos ϕ) + H

 rp ) = H  exp(jβc sin ϑ cos ϕ)
1 2
   
= H 1+H 2 cos(βc sin ϑ cos ϕ) + j H2−H  1 sin(βc sin ϑ cos ϕ) .

If both elementary groups are identical (a = b ⇒ H  = H  ) one gets the simpler

1 2
solution
 rp ) = 4H
H(  cos(βa sin ϑ cos ϕ) cos(βc sin ϑ cos ϕ) .
0
6.10 Radiation Patterns of Antenna Arrays 223

6.10 Radiation Patterns of Antenna Arrays

The magnetic far-field of an arbitrary system of linear antennas or dipoles is always of

the form
H  (rp /rp ) r0 exp(−jβrp ) .
 0 (rp ) = H
E
rp

where r0 is an arbitrary constant and H  E describes the specific field of the source.
Thus, related to the far-field the system of antennas behaves like a point source in the
origin. The radiation pattern is given by

1  1 
Φ0 (ϑ, ϕ) = Z|H 0 (rp )|2 rp2 = Z|H rp /rp )|2 r02 .
E (
2 2

Find the magnetic far-field and the radiation pattern when four systems are positioned
equidistantly on the x-axis. The distance between two adjacent systems is 2a.

For the calculation of the far-field of multiple identical antennas applies


 rp ) =
H(  0 (rp ) exp(jβrqi rp /rp ) ,
H
i

where rqi points to the position of the i-th antenna. Thus for the present problem we
get

 rp ) = H
H(  (rp ) exp(jβex arp /rp ) + exp(−jβex arp /rp )+
0

+ exp(jβex 3arp /rp ) + exp(−jβex 3arp /rp ) .

With exrp /rp = c = sin ϑ cos ϕ it follows


 rp ) = H
H(  (rp ) exp(jβac) + exp(−jβac) + exp(jβ3ac) + exp(−jβ3ac)
0

= H (rp ) 2 cos(βac) + 2 cos(β3ac) .
0

The corresponding radiation pattern can be expressed by

Φ(ϑ, ϕ) = Φ0 (ϑ, ϕ)ΦG4 (ϑ, ϕ)

where  2
ΦG4 (ϑ, ϕ) = 2 cos(βac) + 2 cos(β3ac)

is called array factor of the group with four antennas.

224 6 Electromagnetic Waves

An alternative description of the magnetic field follows from the approach of prob-
lem 6.9. In the first step only two antennas are combined

 (rp ) = H
H  (rp ) exp(jβac) + exp(−jβac) = H  (rp ) 2 cos(βac) .
1 0 0

Finally the new combination of two combined antennas with distance 4a leads to the
far-field

 rp ) = H
H(  1 (rp ) 2 cos(2βac)
 1 (rp ) exp(j2βac) + exp(−j2βac) = H

 (rp ) 2 cos(2βac) 2 cos(βac) .

= H 0

Now the array factor is

 2
ΦG4 (ϑ, ϕ) = ΦG2 (ϑ, ϕ, 2a)ΦG2 (ϑ, ϕ, 4a) = 4 cos(βac) cos(β2ac)

where
ΦG2 (ϑ, ϕ, d) = 4 cos2 (1/2βdc)

is the array factor of two antennas with distance d.

x
a

Fig. 6.10–1: Array with eight antennas and array factor

ΦG8 (ϑ, ϕ) = ΦG2 (ϑ, ϕ, a)ΦG2 (ϑ, ϕ, 2a)ΦG2 (ϑ, ϕ, 4a)

6.11 Waveguide with Sections of Different Dielectrics

A rectangular waveguide with perfectly conducting boundaries and cross sectional di-
mensions a and b < a is of infinite length in z-direction. In z < 0 a dielectric material
with permittivity ε1 and in z > 0 material with permittivity ε2 < ε1 is inserted. The
permeability μ is constant.
Find the function, that specifies the dependence on the z-coordinate of the Modes
in z > 0, when in z < 0 the fundamental mode is excited, propagating in positive
z-direction at the frequency
 √
ω = 1/2 (ωc1 + ωc2 ) = 1/2 ωc1(1 + ε1 /ε2 ) ; ωc1,2 = π/(a με1,2 ).
6.11 Waveguide with Sections of Different Dielectrics 225

(1)
The phase constants βzmn of the modes in z < 0 are
0 0
βz(1)
mn
= β12 − ((mπ/a)2 + (nπ/b)2 ) = β12 − βmn
2 ; β12 = ω 2 με1 .

For the fundamental mode holds m = 1 and n = 0 because of a > b and thus the
cut-off frequency ωc1 is

√
βz(1)
10
= 0; β12 = β10
2
= (π/a)2 = ωc1
2
με1 ; ωc1 = π/(a με1 ) .

Hence the excitation of the waves in z < 0 occurs at a frequency ω greater than the
cut-off limit ωc1 , as long as ε1 > ε2 .

In z > 0 the phase constants follow from

0
βz(2)
mn
= β22 − βmn
2 ; β22 = ω 2 με2

  2

βz(2)
mn
= 2
1/4 ωc1 2 .
1 + ε1 /ε2 με2 − βmn

(2) √
For the fundamental mode βz10 applies with β10 = π/a = ωc1 με1
0 
βz(2)
10
= 2 (1 +
1/4 ωc1 2 με
ε1 /ε2 )2 με2 − ωc1 1
 

= ωc1 με1 1/4(1 + ε1 /ε2 )2 ε2 /ε1 − 1

0 
βz(2)
10
= π/a 1/4 ε2/ε1 + 1/2 ε2 /ε1 − 3/4 .

Now the radicand is negative because of ε2 /ε1 < 1 and thus in z > 0 the fundamental
mode and all other modes decay exponentially with increasing distance z. For the
fundamental mode holds
 0 

exp −π/a 3/4 − 1/4 ε2/ε1 − 1/2 ε2 /ε1 z .

All higher order modes decay with the function

 0 

2 2 2
exp − m + (na/b) − 1/4 ε2/ε1 (1 + ε1 /ε2 ) π z/a .
226 6 Electromagnetic Waves

6.12 Reflection of a Plane Wave at a Conducting Half-Plane

A plane wave with the electric field

 t) = Re {ex E0 exp(−jβ0 z) exp(jωt)} ; √

E(z, β 0 = ω μ0 ε 0

impinges on a slab 0 ≤ z < d with conductivity κ, permittivity ε, and permeability μ.

The backside of the slab z ≥ d is perfectly conducting and in z < 0 the permittivity
and permeability are ε0 and μ0 .

Calculate the field in z ≤ d and the current sheet in z = d. Use your solutions to
analyze the limits κ = 0, μ = μ0 , and ε = ε0 .

¹ 0," 0 k ,¹ ," k ® ¥

d z

E 0 e x p (-j ¯ 0z )

 = ex E(z) in z ≤ d is
The approach for the complex amplitude of the electric field E
⎧
⎨ E exp(−jβ z) + E exp(jβ z) ; z ≤ 0
0 0 02 0
E(z) =
⎩ E exp(−jγz) + E exp(jγz) ; 0 ≤ z ≤ d
11 12

γ = ez γ ; γ 2 = (γr − jγi )2 = β 2 − α2 ; β 2 = ω 2 με ; α2 = jωκμ

0  0 
γr = β 1/2( 1 + (κ/(ωε))2 + 1) ; γi = β 1/2( 1 + (κ/(ωε))2 − 1) .

For the complex amplitude of the magnetic flux density B = μH applies B = ±1/ω γ ×
 where the leading sign denotes waves propagating in positive or negative z-direction.
E,
6.12 Reflection of a Plane Wave at a Conducting Half-Plane 227

 = ey H(z) is
Consequently, the complex amplitude H
⎧
⎨ 1/Z (E exp(−jβ z) − E exp(jβ z)) ; z ≤ 0
0 0 0 02 0
H(z) =
⎩ γ/(ωμ)(E exp(−jγz) − E exp(jγz)) ; 0 ≤ z ≤ d
11 12


with Z0 = μ0 /ε0 .
The unknown complex amplitudes E 02 , E 11 , and E 12 follow from the boundary condi-
tions in z = 0 and z = d.
    
 
ez × E =0;  
ez × E = 
e z ×  
E ; 
e z ×  
H = 
e z ×  
H
z<0 z>0 z<0 z>0
z=d z→0 z→0 z→0 z→0

E 11 exp(−jγd) + E 12 exp(jγd) = 0 ⇒ E 12 = −E 11 exp(−2jγd)

E0 + E 02 = E 11 + E 12 ; 1/Z0 (E0 − E 02 ) = γ/(ωμ)(E 11 − E 12 )

1 − E 02 /E0 1−r γZ0 1 + exp(−2jγd) γZ0 cos(γd)

= = = =q
1 + E 02 /E0 1+r ωμ 1 − exp(−2jγd) jωμ sin(γd)

1+r
E 02 = r E0 ; E 11 = E0
1 − exp(−2jγd)

exp(−2jγd)
E 12 = −E0 (1 + r) ; r = (1 − q)/(1 + q)
1 − exp(−2jγd)

The current sheet K  
 = −ez × H = ex K is
z=d

1+r γ
K = γ/(ωμ)(E 11 exp(−jγd) − E 12 exp(jγd)) = −j E0 .
sin(γd) ωμ
With κ = 0 it is γi = 0 and γ = β and furthermore
Z0 cos(βd) 
q = ; Z = μ/ε .
jZ sin(βd)
If, in addition, the limits μ = μ0 and ε = ε0 are built, then with Z = Z0 and β = β0
the reflection factor is r = − exp(−2jβ0 d). The complex amplitudes are

E 11 = E0 ; E 12 = E 02 = −E0 exp(−2jβ0 d); K = 2E0 /Z exp(−jβ0 d) .

228 6 Electromagnetic Waves

E (z , t)

! t = 0

-4 d -3 d -2 d -d 0 d

H (z , t)

! t = 0

-4 d -3 d -2 @ -d 0 d

Fig. 6.12–1: Graphs of the electric and magnetic field as a function of the z-coordinate
at the time t = 0. Additionally the partial waves propagating in different
directions are plotted separately.
μ = μ0 ; ε = ε0 ; κ = 2 [S/m]; d/|γ| = 2.42 · 10−5
6.12 Reflection of a Plane Wave at a Conducting Half-Plane 229

E (z , t)

! t = ¼ = 2

-4 d -3 d -2 d -d 0 d

H (z , t)

! t = ¼ = 2

-4 d -3 d -2 d -d 0 d

Fig. 6.12–2: Graphs of the electric and magnetic field as a function of the z-coordinate
at the time ωt = π/2. Additionally the partial waves propagating in
different directions are plotted separately. Parameters: see Fig. 6.12–1
230 6 Electromagnetic Waves

E (z , t)

-4 d -3 d -2 d -d 0 d

H (z , t)

-4 d -3 d -2 d -d 0 d

Fig. 6.12–3: Graphs of the electric and magnetic field as a function of the z-coordinate
at various times t. Parameters: see Fig. 6.12–1
6.13 Guided Waves in a Dielectric Slab Waveguide 231

6.13 Guided Waves in a Dielectric Slab Waveguide

A dielectric slab a < x < b with permittivity ε1 is positioned beside a perfectly con-
ducting wall x ≤ 0. Outside of the slab the permittivity is ε0 and the permeability μ is
constant. The slab is capable to guide both transverse magnetic (TM-) and transverse
electric (TE-)waves in the z-direction.
Find the eigenvalue equations for the determination of the phase constants of the
modes, that are independent of the y-coordinate.

a b x

k ® ¥ " 0 " 1 " 0

TM-Waves (-Modes)
 T M = ez AT M (x, z) with
These modes can be derived from the vector potential A


B  ey μH T M (x, z) = −ey ∂AT M /∂x .
T M = rot [
ez AT M (x, z)] = μH TM = 

Obviously the magnetic field has only one component, that satisfies the differential
equation

2 ∂2H T M ∂2H T M 2 2
ΔH T M + β0,1 HTM = 2
+ + β0,1 H T M = 0; β0,1 = ω 2 με0,1 .
∂x ∂z 2
An approach for H T M , that describes wave propagation in ±z-direction with the phase
constant βzT M , is
H T M (x, z) = H 0 X 1,2 (x) exp(∓jβzT M z)
232 6 Electromagnetic Waves

d2 X 1 2
+ (β02 − βzT M ) X 1 = 0 ; 0 < x < a; x>b
dx 2 & '( )
−α2
d2 X 2 2
+ (β12 − βzT M ) X 2 = 0 ; a < x < b.
dx2 & '( )
βx2 > 0
The phase constants βzT M of each mode are of the same value in any region of the
half-space x > 0 and lie within an interval defined by the material parameters ε0 and
ε1 .
2 2
β0 < βzT M < β1 ; α2 = βzT M − β02 > 0 ; βx2 = β12 − βzT M > 0
Hence the complex amplitude H T M (x, z) takes the form
⎧ ⎫
⎪
⎪ C 1 cosh(αx)/ cosh(αa) ⎪ ⎪ 0≤x≤a
⎪
⎪ ⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ ⎪
⎪
⎪
⎨ C sin(β (x − a))+ ⎪
⎬
2 x
H T M (x, z) = H 0 exp(∓jβzT M z) ; a ≤ x ≤ b
⎪
⎪ +C cos(β (x − a)) ⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ 3 x ⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ ⎪
⎪
⎪
⎩ C exp(−α(x − b)) ⎪
⎭
4 x≥b
 
 1  1 ∂H T M ∂H T M
⇒ ET M = rot H T M = −ex + ez .
jωε jωε ∂z ∂x
The field must satisfy the boundary conditions

 
ez E TM = 0; H T M | 0≤x≤a = H T M | a≤x≤b
x=0 x→a x→a
 
   
H T M | a≤x≤b = H T M | x≥b ; ez E 
T M 0≤x≤a = 
e z E T M  a≤x≤b
x→b x→b
 
x→a x→a

   
ez E T M  a≤x≤b = ez E T M  x≥b .
x→b x→b

The first one is already satisfied by the given approach and the other ones lead to the
following equations.

C1 = C3 ; C 2 sin(βx (b − a)) + C 3 cos(βx (b − a)) = C 4

α βx
C tanh(αa) = C
ε0 1 ε1 2
βx −1
[C 2 cos(βx (b − a)) − C 3 sin(βx (b − a))] = αC 4
ε1 ε0
After a straightforward calculation the eigenvalue equation becomes
1 + tanh(αa) α ε1
= tan(βx (b − a))
(ε0 /ε1 βx /α)2 − tanh(αa) βx ε 0
6.13 Guided Waves in a Dielectric Slab Waveguide 233

"
#  √
c2 −v 2
√
tan v ab − 1 · εε01 √c2v−v2 − ε1
ε0 v tanh c2 − v 2

1 5

-1 5

0 ¼ = 4 ¼ = 2 3 ¼ = 4 ¼ 5 ¼ = 4 v
T M
¯ z
¯ 1

0 .9

0 .8

0 .7
0 1 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 ¯ 1a

Fig. 6.13–1: Determination of the eigenvalues at ω = 15·1010 [s−1 ] and phase constants
as a function of the frequency for TM-modes with ε1 /ε0 = 2 and b/a = 2
v 2 = a2 (β12 − (βzT M )2 ); c2 = a2 (β12 − β02 )
234 6 Electromagnetic Waves

-a

0 a b x

Fig. 6.13–2: Electric lines of force of the first TM-mode for

ε1 /ε0 = 2, b/a = 2, a = 1[cm], and ω = 7.5 · 1010 [s−1 ]

with
0 0
(αa)2 + (βx a)2 = (β1 a)2 − (β0 a)2 ; βzT M = β12 − βx2 = α2 + β02 .

The limited number of solutions for βx , βzT M , α have to be determined numerically.

With v 2 = a2 (β12 − (βzT M )2 ) and c2 = a2 (β12 − β02 ) one gets

1 + tanh c2 + v 2 =
    √


b ε0 v ε 1 c2 − v 2
= tan v −1 · √ − tanh c2 − v 2 .
a ε 1 c2 − v 2 ε0 v
6.13 Guided Waves in a Dielectric Slab Waveguide 235

-a

0 a b x

Fig. 6.13–3: Electric lines of force of the second TM-mode for

ε1 /ε0 = 3, b/a = 2, a = 1[cm], and ω = 1011 [s−1 ]
.

TE-Waves (-Modes)
The vector potential of the field is F T E = ez F T E (x, z) with
 
E T E = −1/ε rot F T E = ey E T E (x, z) = ey 1/ε∂F T E /∂x.
Now the electric field has only a y-component, that satisfies

2 ∂2ET E ∂ 2E T E 2
ΔE T E + β0,1 ET E = + + β0,1 ET E = 0 .
∂x2 ∂z 2
236 6 Electromagnetic Waves

"
#  √ 2 2 √
tan v ab − 1 · − c v−v + √ v
c2 −v 2
tanh c2 − v 2
2

-1

0 ¼ = 8 ¼ = 4 v
¯ T E
z
¯ 1

0 .9

0 .8

0 .7
0 1 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 ¯ 1a

Fig. 6.13–4: Determination of the eigenvalues at ω = 3 · 1010 [s−1 ] and phase constants
as a function of the frequency for TE-modes with ε1 /ε0 = 2 and b/a = 2
v 2 = a2 (β12 − (βzT E )2 ); c2 = a2 (β12 − β02 )
6.13 Guided Waves in a Dielectric Slab Waveguide 237

-a

0 a b x

Fig. 6.13–5: Magnetic lines of force of the first TE-Mode for

ε1 /ε0 = 2, b/a = 2, a = 1[cm], and ω = 5 · 1010 [s−1 ]

Thus again the approach for the field is E T E = E 0 X 1,2 (x) exp(∓jβzT E z) where the
functions X 1,2 (x) and the constants have to be redefined.
⎧ ⎫
⎪
⎪ C 1 sinh(αx)/ sinh(αa) ⎪ ⎪ 0≤x≤a
⎪
⎪ ⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ ⎪
⎪
⎪
⎨ C sin(β (x − a))+ ⎪
⎬
2 x
E T E (x, z) = E 0 exp(∓jβzT E z) ; a ≤ x ≤ b
⎪
⎪ +C cos(β (x − a)) ⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ 3 x ⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ ⎪
⎪
⎪
⎩ C exp(−α(x − b)) ⎪
⎭
4 x≥b
2 2
α2 = βzT E − β02 > 0 ; βx2 = β12 − βzT E > 0
238 6 Electromagnetic Waves

-a

0 a b x

Fig. 6.13–6: Magnetic lines of force of the third TE-mode for

ε1 /ε0 = 3, b/a = 2, a = 1[cm], and ω = 1.5 · 1011 [s−1 ]

 
 1 1 ∂E T E ∂E T E
H T E (x, z) = − rot (ey E T E ) = ex − ez
jωμ jωμ ∂z ∂x
The boundary conditions are
 
E T E | 0<x<a = E T E | a<x<b ;    
x→a
ez H
x→a
T E 0<x<a = 
e z H T E  a<x<b
x→a x→a
 
E T E | a<x<b = E T E | x>b ;  T E 
ez H = 
e z
 T E 
H
x→b x→b a<x<b x>b
x→b x→b

and the evaluation leads to

C1 = C3 ; C 2 sin(βx (b − a)) + C 3 cos(βx (b − a)) = C 4

6.14 Layered Dielectric Slab Waveguide 239

C 1 α coth(αa) = βx C 2

βx [C 2 cos(βx (b − a)) − C 3 sin(βx (b − a))] = −αC 4 .

Finally this yields the eigenvalue equation

1 + tanh(αa)
= −α/βx tan(βx (b − a))
1 − (βx /α)2 tanh(αa)

with
0 0
(αa)2 + (βx a)2 = (β1 a)2 − (β0 a)2 ; βzT E = β12 − βx2 = α2 + β02

for the determination of the finite number of solutions for βx , βzT E , and α.

With v 2 = a2 (β12 − (βzT E )2 ) and c2 = a2 (β12 − β02 ) one gets

     √ 2 

b c − v2 v
2 2
1 + tanh c − v = tan v −1 · − +√ 2 2
tanh c − v .
a v c2 − v 2

6.14 Layered Dielectric Slab Waveguide

A dielectric slab waveguide consists of a core in |x| < a with permittivity ε2 and a
cladding in a < |x| < b with permittivity ε1 < ε2 . The surrounding space has the
permittivity ε0 and the permeability μ is constant. In the waveguide both transverse
magnetic (TM-)waves and transverse electric (TE-)waves can propagate in z-direction,
while there is no dependence on the y-coordinate.

Find the eigenvalue equations for the guided modes whose magnetic (TM) or electric
(TE) field is either an even or odd function of the x-coordinate.

The waves may be calculated by means of the vector potentials

 T M = ez AT M (x, z)
A and F T E = ez F T E (x, z).

As in the present case the electric field (TE-waves) or the magnetic field (TM-waves)
has only a y-component, it is useful to solve the field equations directly.
240 6 Electromagnetic Waves

a b x

" 2 " 1 " 0

TM-Waves
The wave propagation with the unknown phase constant βzT M is described by
 T M = ey H T M (x, z) ; 2
H ΔH T M + β0,1,2 HT M = 0

∂2H T M ∂2H T M 2
+ + β0,1,2 HTM = 0
∂x2 ∂z 2


H TM
T M (x, z) = H 0 X 0,1,2 (x) exp(∓jβz z)

d2 X 0,1,2 2 2
2
+ (β0,1,2 − βzT M )X 0,1,2 = 0 ; β0,1,2 = ω 2 με0,1,2
dx2
 
 1  1 ∂H T M ∂H T M
E TM = rot H TM = −
e x + 
e z .
jωε jωε ∂z ∂x
In case of even modes the solution functions satisfy X(x) = X(−x) and the solution
reads as follows

X 0 (x) = C 1 exp(−α(|x| − b)) ; |x| ≥ b

X 1 (x) = C 2 cos(βx1 (|x| − a)) + C 3 sin(βx1 (|x| − a)) ; a ≤ |x| ≤ b
X 2 (x) = C 4 cos(βx2 x)/ cos(βx2 a) ; |x| ≤ a
6.14 Layered Dielectric Slab Waveguide 241

√ 
"√
#
c2 − v 2 f 2 − v 2 + ε0
ε1 · c2 − v 2 · tanh c2 − v 2 ab − 1

3 0

2 0

1 0

-1 0

0 ¼ = 2 ¼ v
  "√
# √ 
tan v ε1
ε2 ·v f 2 − v 2 · tanh c2 − v 2 ab − 1 + ε0
ε2 · v c2 − v 2

Fig. 6.14–1: Solutions of the eigenvalue equation for the determination of the phase
constants βzT M of the even TM-modes with
c = 4.622, ε2 /ε0 = 5, ε1 /ε0 = 2, b/a = 1.5, and a = 0.1 [cm]

  
with βzT M = β12 − βx1
2 = β22 − βx2
2 = α2 + β02 .
The other case of odd modes requires X(x) = −X(−x) and leads to

X 0 (x) = sign(x) C 1 exp(−α(|x| − b)) ; |x| ≥ b

X 1 (x) = sign(x) C 2 cos(βx1 (|x| − a)) + C 3 sin(βx1 (|x| − a)) ; a ≤ |x| ≤ b

X 2 (x) = C 4 sin(βx2 x)/ sin(βx2 a) ; |x| ≤ a .

Here the constants C 1,2,3,4 are redefined in contrast to the first approach for even
modes.
The tangential components of the electric and magnetic field are continuous in x = a
and x = b. This requires

H T M | x≥b = H T M | a≤x≤b ; H T M | x<a = H T M | a≤x≤b

x→b x→b x→a x→a
   

1 ∂H T M  
1 ∂H T M  1 ∂H T M   1 ∂H T M 
= ; =
ε0 ∂x  x>b ε1 ∂x  a≤x≤b ε2 ∂x  x<a ε1 ∂x  a≤x≤b
x→b x→b x→a x→a
242 6 Electromagnetic Waves

¯ T M
z
¯ 2

0 .9

0 .8

0 .7

0 1 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 ¯ 2a

Fig. 6.14–2: Phase constants of the first five odd TM-modes as a function of
√
β2 a = ω με2 a with ε1 /ε0 = 2, ε2 /ε0 = 5, b/a = 1.5, and a = 0.1 [cm]

For even modes it is

C 1 = C 2 cos(βx1 (b − a)) + C 3 sin(βx1 (b − a)) ; C2 = C4

−α/ε0 C 1 = βx1 /ε1 [−C 2 sin(βx1 (b − a)) + C 3 cos(βx1 (b − a))]

βx1 /ε1 C 3 = −βx2 /ε2 C 4 tan(βx2 a) .

Finally this leads to the eigenvalue equation

α/βx1 − βx2 /βx1 ε0 /ε2 tan(βx2 a)
tan(βx1 (b − a)) =
ε0 /ε1 + α/βx1 βx2 /βx1 ε1 /ε2 tan(βx2 a)
with a finite number of solutions for βx1 , βx2 , and
  
βzT M = α2 + β02 = β12 − βx1 2 = β22 − βx2
2 .

As the eigenvalue equation has to be solved numerically, it is convenient to express it in


terms of the variable v = a β22 − (βzT M )2 with f 2 = a2 (β22 − β02 ) and c2 = a2 (β22 − β12 ).
    
ε1  2 b ε0  2
v tan v f − v 2 tanh c2 − v 2 −1 + c − v2 =
ε2 a ε2
    
ε 0 b
= c2 − v 2 f 2 − v 2 + (c2 − v 2 ) tanh c2 − v 2 −1
ε1 a
6.14 Layered Dielectric Slab Waveguide 243

2 a

-a

-2 a

-b -a 0 a b
x

Fig. 6.14–3: Electric lines of force of the second even TM-Mode with
ε1 /ε0 = 2, ε2 /ε0 = 10, b/a = 1.5, a = 0.1 [cm], and ω = 4.37 ·1011 [s−1 ]

After a similar calculation we obtain the eigenvalue equation for the odd TM-modes.
The equations are

C 1 = C 2 cos(βx1 (b − a)) + C 3 sin(βx1 (b − a)) ; C2 = C4

−α/ε0 C 1 = βx1 /ε1 [−C 2 sin(βx1 (b − a)) + C 3 cos(βx1 (b − a))]

βx1 /ε1 C 3 = βx2 /ε2 C 4 cot(βx2 a)

244 6 Electromagnetic Waves

2 a

-a

-2 a

-b -a 0 a b
x

Fig. 6.14–4: Electric lines of first of the first odd TM-mode with
ε1 /ε0 = 2, ε2 /ε0 = 10, b/a = 1.5, a = 0.1 [cm], and ω = 2.99 ·1011 [s−1 ]

and the eigenvalue equation becomes

α/βx1 + ε0 /ε2 βx2 /βx1 cot(βx2 a)

tan(βx1 (b − a)) = .
ε0 /ε1 − α/βx1 ε1 /ε2 βx2 /βx1 cot(βx2 a)
6.14 Layered Dielectric Slab Waveguide 245

2 a

-a

-2 a

-b -a 0 a b
x

Fig. 6.14–5: Magnetic lines of force of the second even TE-mode with
ε1 /ε0 = 2, ε2 /ε0 = 10, b/a = 1.5, a = 0.1 [cm], and ω = 3.58 ·1011 [s−1 ]

TE-Waves
The analog approach for the electric field of the TE-modes is
 T E (x, z) = E 0 X 0,1,2 (x) exp(∓jβzT E z)
E

The functions X 0,1,2 remain unchanged but with new constants C 1,2,3,4 .
After evaluating the boundary conditions we finally get the eigenvalue equations
α/βx1 − βx2 /βx1 tan(βx2 a)
tan(βx1 (b − a)) = ; (even TE-modes)
1 + α/βx1 βx2 /βx1 tan(βx2 a)
246 6 Electromagnetic Waves

2 a

-a

-2 a

-b -a 0 a b
x

Fig. 6.14–6: Magnetic lines of force of the first odd TE-Mode with
ε1 /ε0 = 2, ε2 /ε0 = 5, b/a = 1.5, a = 0.1 [cm], and ω = 3.35 ·1011 [s−1 ]

α/βx1 + βx2 /βx1 cot(βx2 a)

tan(βx1 (b − a)) = ; (odd TE-modes).
1 − α/βx1 βx2 /βx1 cot(βx2 a)
6.15 Diffraction by a Dielectric Cylinder 247

6.15 Diffraction by a Dielectric Cylinder

A dielectric cylinder has the radius a and is of infinite length in z-direction. Its per-
meability and permittivity are μ and ε, whereas the surrounding medium is the free
space with material parameters μ0 and ε0 .

1. Calculate the electromagnetic field excited by a plane wave, when the phase
√
vector β0 = −ex β0 ; β0 = ω μ0 ε0 is directed perpendicular to the axis of the
cylinder. In the first case a) the wave is z–polarized and in the second case b)
y–polarized.

2. Find the electromagnetic field excited by a line source i(t) = Re {i0 exp(jωt)}
with distance c > a parallel to the axis of the cylinder.

¯ 0

¹ 0," 0

¹ ," ' i 0

c x
a

1.a) The Exciting Field is z-Polarized

 = ez E0 exp(jβ0 x) = ez E0 exp(jβ0 cos ϕ) .

E 0

The series expansion in terms of Bessel functions is

∞

exp(jβ0 cos ϕ) = J0 (β0 ) + 2 exp(jnπ/2) Jn (β0 ) cos(nϕ)
n=1
∞

= (2 − δ0n ) exp(jnπ/2) Jn (β0 ) cos(nϕ) .
n=0
248 6 Electromagnetic Waves

With it the exciting field is of the form

∞

 = ez E0
E (2 − δ0n ) exp(jnπ/2) Jn (β0 ) cos(nϕ) .
0
n=0

Here δmn denotes the Kronecker delta defined by

⎧
⎨0 ; m = n
δmn =
⎩1 ; m = n .

(2)
The diffracted wave is described by Hankel functions Hn (β0 ) and inside the cylinder
√
the field is described by Bessel functions Jn (β ) with β = ω με. Hence the resulting
electric field is
⎧ ⎫
∞
 ⎨ J (β ) + a H (2) (β ) ⎬ ≥a
n 0 n n 0
 = ez E0
E (2−δ0n ) exp(jnπ/2) cos(nϕ) ; ,
⎩ b Jn (β ) ⎭ ≤a
n=0 n

where the constants an , bn follow from the boundary conditions in = a.

The continuity of the electric field at = a leads to

Jn (β0 a) + an Hn(2) (β0 a) = bn Jn (βa) ; Hn(2) (β0 ) = Jn (β0 ) − jNn (β0 )

and the continuity of the tangential component H ϕ of the magnetic field yields
1 ∂E ∂E 
rot [ez E( , ϕ)] = grad E × ez = e − eϕ = −jωμ H
∂ϕ ∂
1 1 ∂E 1 ∂E
H = − ; Hϕ =
jωμ ∂ϕ jωμ ∂
 
1 ∂E  1 ∂E 
=
μ ∂  <a μ0 ∂  >a
→a →a

β0   β
⇒ Jn (β0 a) + an Hn(2) (β0 a) = [bn Jn (βa)] .
μ0 μ
Thus, there are two equations for the determination of the constants an and bn .
 
−1 Z0  
an = M n Jn (β0 a)Jn (βa) − Jn (β0 a)Jn (βa)
Z

bn = M −1 n Hn(2) (β0 a)Jn (β0 a) − Hn(2) (β0 a)Jn (β0 a)

Z0 (2)
with Mn = Hn(2) (β0 a)Jn (βa) − Hn (β0 a)Jn (βa)
 Z

μ μ0
Z = ; Z0 =
ε ε0
6.15 Diffraction by a Dielectric Cylinder 249

In the special case of a perfect conducting cylinder the field in < a vanishes.

E z |=a = 0 ; H  =a = 0

Jn (β0 a)
Jn (β0 a) + an Hn(2) (β0 a) = 0 ; an = − (2)
Hn (β0 a)
 = ez K . It follows
Now the surface of the cylinder = a carries a current sheet K E E
 
H ϕ  >a − H ϕ  <a = K E
→a →a


 1 ∂E 
K E = H ϕ  >a = =
→a jωμ0 ∂  >a
 
→a
∞

jβ0 Jn (β0 a)
= − E0 (2 − δ0n ) exp(jnπ/2) Jn (β0 a) − (2)
Hn(2) (β0 a) cos(nϕ)
ωμ0 n=0 Hn (β0 a)

Finally with
n (2) n (2)
Jn (z) = −Jn+1 (z) + Jn (z) ; Hn(2) (z) = −Hn+1 (z) + H (z)
z z n
Hn(2) (z) = Jn (z) − jNn (z) ;
2
Jn+1 (z)Nn (z) − Jn (z) Nn+1 (z) = (Wronskian determinant)
πz
∞
2E0  (2 − δ0n ) exp(jnπ/2)
⇒ KE = (2)
cos(nϕ) .
πβ0 aZ0 n=0 Hn (β0 a)

1.b) Orthogonal Polarization Compared to 1.a)

Now the exciting magnetic field is z-directed

 = ez H0 exp(jβ0 cos ϕ)

H

and accordingly the resulting magnetic field is

⎧ ⎫
∞ ⎨ J (β ) + c Hn(2) (β ) ⎬ ≥a
n 0 n 0
 = ez H0
H (2 − δ0n ) exp(jnπ/2) cos(nϕ) ; .
⎩ d Jn (β ) ⎭ ≤a
n=0 n

Again, the constants cn and dn follow from the boundary conditions in = a.

The continuity of the magnetic field leads to

Jn (β0 a) + cn Hn(2) (β0 a) = dn Jn (βa)

250 6 Electromagnetic Waves

and the continuity of the tangential component E ϕ of

 
 1 1 1 ∂H ∂H
E = rot [ez H( , ϕ)] = e − eϕ
jωε jωε ∂ϕ ∂
1 1 ∂H 1 ∂H
E = ; Eϕ = −
jωε ∂ϕ jωε ∂
yields  
1 ∂H  1 ∂H 
=
ε ∂  <a ε0 ∂  >a
→a →a

β ε0 Z
Jn (β0 a) + cn Hn(2) (β0 a) = d J  (βa) = d J  (βa) .
β0 ε n n Z0 n n
Hence the constants are
Z (2)
Mn = Hn(2) (β0 a) Jn (βa) − H (β0 a) Jn (βa)
Z0 n
 
Z
cn = M −1
n J (β
n 0 a)J 
n (βa) − J n (βa)J 
n 0(β a)
Z0

dn = M −1
n Hn(2) (β0 a)Jn (β0 a) − Hn(2) (β0 a)Jn (β0 a) .

In the limit of a perfect conducting cylinder it is

 Jn (β0 a)
E ϕ  >a = 0 ; cn = − (2)
→a
Hn (β0 a)
and the current sheet on the surface of the cylinder is given by


K = eϕ K H ; H| <a − H| >a = K H
H →a →a

KH = − H|=a
∞

= H0 (2 − δ0n ) exp(jnπ/2) ·
n=0
 
Jn (β0 a)
· (2)
Hn(2) (β0 a)
− Jn (β0 a) cos(nϕ)
Hn (β0 a)
∞
2H0  (2 − δ0n ) exp(jnπ/2)
KH = j (2)
cos(nϕ) .
πβ0 a n=0 Hn (β0 a)

2.) Field Excitation by a Line Source i(t) at Position ( = c > a, ϕ = ϕ0 )

The vector potential of a line source in the homogeneous space with μ0 , ε0 is:

 = ez A ( , ϕ) ;
A0 0 ΔA0 + β02 A0 = 0 ; = c
6.15 Diffraction by a Dielectric Cylinder 251

y = a

-2

-4

-4 -2 0 2 4 x = a

Fig. 6.15–1: Diffraction of a plane, z-polarized wave: Magnetic lines of force for
λ0 /λ = 1.1 and λ/a = 2 (λ0 = 2 π/β0 ; λ = 2π/β)

⎧ ⎫
∞
 ⎨ J (β c) Hn(2) (β ) ⎬ ≥c
n 0 0
A0 ( , ϕ) = an cos(n(ϕ − ϕ0 )) ; .
⎩ Hn(2) (β0 c) Jn (β0 ) ⎭ ≤c
n=0

This approach already satisfies the continuity relation of the electric field and the
 = rot A
continuity of the radial component of B  at = c.
0 0
252 6 Electromagnetic Waves

y = a

-2

-4

-4 -2 0 2 4 x = a

Fig. 6.15–2: See Fig. 6.15–1, but λ0 /λ = 2

For the tangential component of the magnetic field applies

   
  1 ∂A0  ∂A0 
H 0ϕ  >c − H 0ϕ  <c = K(ϕ) = −
→c →c μ0 ∂  <c ∂  >c
→c →c

β0   (2)
∞
K(ϕ) = an Hn (β0 c)Jn (β0 c) − Jn (β0 c) Hn(2) (β0 c) cos(n(ϕ − ϕ0 )) .
μ0 n=0
6.15 Diffraction by a Dielectric Cylinder 253

2 0

y = a

1 0

-1 0

-2 0
-2 0 -1 0 0 1 0 x = a 2 0

Fig. 6.15–3: See Fig. 6.15–2

With the orthogonality relation for trigonometric functions one gets:

    
n (2) n
β0 an (Jn − jNn ) −Jn+1 + Jn − Jn −Hn+1 + Hn π(1 + δ0n ) =
β0 c β0 c
2π
μ0 μ0
= K(ϕ) cos(n(ϕ − ϕ0 ))cdϕ = i =
c c 0
0

an (1 + δ0n ) μ0
= β0 an π(1 + δ0n )j [Jn+1 Nn − Jn Nn+1 ] = 2j = i
c c 0
254 6 Electromagnetic Waves

y = a

-2

-4

-4 -2 0 2 4 x = a

Fig. 6.15–4: See Fig. 6.15–1, but λ0 /λ = 3; λ/a = 1

and the unknown constants can be calculated

μ0 i0
⇒ an = −j .
2(1 + δ0n )

Thus, the exciting vector potential is

⎧ ⎫
∞
μ0 i 0  1 ⎨ J (β c) H (2) (β ) ⎬ ≥c
n 0 n 0
A0 ( , ϕ) = −j cos(n(ϕ − ϕ0 )) ; .
2 n=0 1 + δ0n ⎩ Hn(2) (β0 c)Jn (β0 ) ⎭ ≤c
6.15 Diffraction by a Dielectric Cylinder 255

y = a

-1

-2
-2 -1 0 1 x = a 2

Fig. 6.15–5: Diffraction of a plane, y-polarized wave at a dielectric cylinder: Electric

lines of force for λ0 /λ = 3 and λ/a = 1

An approach for the resulting field in presence of the cylinder is:

⎧ ⎫
⎨ β2 ⎬ > a ; = c
 = ez A( , ϕ) ; 0
A ΔA + A = 0;
⎩ β2 ⎭ <a
256 6 Electromagnetic Waves

y = a

-2

-4
-4 -2 0 2 x = a 4

Fig. 6.15–6: Diffraction of the cylindrical wave excited by a line source at a dielectric
cylinder: Magnetic lines of force for λ0 /λ = 3, λ/a = 1, and c/a = 2

∞
μ0  1
A( , ϕ) = −j i0 cos(n(ϕ − ϕ0 ))·
2 n=0 1 + δ0n
⎧ ⎫
⎪
⎪ b J (β ) ; <a ⎪
⎪
⎪
⎨ n n ⎧ ⎫ ⎪
⎬
· ⎨ J (β c)H (2) (β ); >c ⎬ .
(2) n 0 0
⎪
⎪
n
; >a ⎪
⎪
⎪ cn Hn (β0 ) + ⎩ (2) ⎪
⎩ Hn (β0 c)Jn (β0 ); <c ⎭ ⎭

The constants follow from the boundary conditions in = a.

6.15 Diffraction by a Dielectric Cylinder 257

2 0

y = a

1 0

-1 0

-2 0
-2 0 -1 0 0 1 0 x = a 2 0

Fig. 6.15–7: See Fig. 6.15–6; but λ0 /λ = 2; λ/a = 2

At first the continuity of the normal component of the magnetic flux density leads to

bn Jn (βa) = cn Hn(2) (β0 a) + Hn(2) (β0 c)Jn (β0 a)

and a second equation results from the continuity of the tangential component of the
magnetic field:

β0 μ 
bn Jn (βa) = cn Hn(2) (β0 a) + Hn(2) (β0 c) Jn (β0 a) .
β μ0
258 6 Electromagnetic Waves

3
K
K 0
2

-1

-¼ -¼ = 2 0 ¼ = 2 ' ¼

Fig. 6.15–8: Current sheet K/K0 on the surface of a conducting cylinder exposed to
the field of a line source at ( = c, ϕ0 = 0) with
K0 = −|i0 |/(πa), λ0 /λ = 1.1, and λ/a = 1/2

Hence, the constants bn are

Hn (β0 c) 
(2)
bn = Jn (β0 a)Hn(2) (β0 a) − Jn (β0 a) Hn(2) (β0 a) .
Mn
Applying the recurrence relations and the Wronskian-determinants they become
(2)
2 Hn (β0 c)
bn = −j
π β0 aM n
with
Z0 
M n = Jn (βa)Hn(2) (β0 a) − J (βa) Hn(2) (β0 a) .
Z n
For the constants cn it follows
(2)  
Hn (β0 c) Z0 
cn = − Jn (βa) Jn (β0 a) − Jn (βa) Jn (β0 a) .
Mn Z

In the limit μ = μ0 ; ε = ε0 ; β = β0 ; Z = Z0 it is

cn | μ=μ0 = 0 ; bn | μ=μ0 = Hn(2) (β0 c) ;

ε=ε0 ε=ε0
6.15 Diffraction by a Dielectric Cylinder 259

2
M n | μ=μ0 = −j
ε=ε0 πβ0 a
and thus, just for the purpose of validation, we again get the exciting field of the line
source in free space.
If the cylinder is a perfect conductor, then the tangential component of the electric
field vanishes at = a and this leads to

cn Hn(2) (β0 a) + Hn(2) (β0 c) Jn (β0 a) = 0

(2)
Hn (β0 c)
⇒ cn = −Jn (β0 a) (2)
.
Hn (β0 a)
Therewith the current sheet on the surface of the cylinder is

 
 = ez K = ez H  >a = −ez 1 ∂A 
K ϕ
→a μ0 ∂ =a

∞

i0 
(2)
1 Hn (β0 c) (2)
K = j β0 − Jn (β0 a) (2) Hn (β0 a)+
2 n=0 1 + δ0n Hn (β0 a)

+ Hn(2) (β0 c)Jn (β0 a) · cos(n(ϕ − ϕ0 ))

and with the recurrence relations and the Wronskian-determinants this expression sim-
plifies to
∞
i 
(2)
1 Hn (β0 c)
K = − 0 cos(n(ϕ − ϕ0 )) .
πa n=0 1 + δ0n Hn(2) (β0 a)
Appendix

Vector Calculus

Multiple Products of Vectors

 B
A(  × C)
  A
= C(  × B)
 = B(
 C  × A)

 × (B
A  × C)
  A
= B(  C)
 − C(
 A
 B)

 × B)
(A  (C × D)
  C)
= (A  (B D)
 − (A D)
 (B C)


Vector Operations in Arbitrary Orthogonal Coordinates (u1 , u2 , u3 )

Metric factors: h1 , h2 , h3

V = V (u1 , u2 , u3 ) ;

A = e1 A1 (u1 , u2 , u3 ) + e2 A2 (u1 , u2 , u3 ) + e3 A3 (u1 , u2 , u3 )
1 ∂V 1 ∂V 1 ∂V
grad V = e1 + e2 + e3
h1 ∂u1 h2 ∂u2 h3 ∂u3
 
 1 ∂ ∂ ∂
div A = (h2 h3 A1 ) + (h3 h1 A2 ) + (h1 h2 A3 )
h1 h2 h3 ∂u1 ∂u2 ∂u3

 
 e /(h h ) e /(h h ) e /(h h ) 
 1 2 3 2 1 3 3 1 2 
 
 =  ∂/∂u1
rot A ∂/∂u2 ∂/∂u3 
 
 
 h1 A1 h2 A2 h3 A3 

div grad V = ΔV =
      
1 ∂ h2 h3 ∂V ∂ h1 h3 ∂V ∂ h1 h2 ∂V
= + +
h1 h2 h3 ∂u1 h1 ∂u1 ∂u2 h2 ∂u2 ∂u3 h3 ∂u3

Cartesian coordinates:

u1 = x ; u2 = y ; u3 = z ; h1 = h2 = h3 = 1

r = ex x + ey y + ez z ; dr = ex dx + ey dy + ez dz ; dv = dx dy dz

G.Mrozynski, M.Stallein, Electromagnetic Field Theory, DOI 10.1007/978-3-8348-2178-2,

© Springer Vieweg | Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden 2013
Appendix 261

 r ) = ex Ax + ey Ay + ez Az ;

A( V = V (x, y, z)

∂V ∂V ∂V
grad V = ex + ey + ez
∂x ∂y ∂z

 = ∂Ax ∂Ay ∂Az

div A + +
∂x ∂y ∂z
     
 = ex ∂Az ∂Ay ∂Ax ∂Az ∂Ay ∂Ax
rot A − + ey − + ez −
∂y ∂z ∂z ∂x ∂x ∂y

∂ 2V ∂2V ∂2V
ΔV = 2
+ 2
+
∂x ∂y ∂z 2

Circular-cylinder coordinates:

u1 = ; u2 = ϕ ; u3 = z ; h1 = 1 ; h2 = ; h3 = 1

r = e (ϕ) + ez z ; dr = e d + eϕ dϕ + ez dz ; dv = d dϕ dz

 r ) = e (ϕ) A + eϕ (ϕ) Aϕ + ez Az ;
A( V = V ( , ϕ, z)

x = cos ϕ ; y = sin ϕ ; z=z

∂V eϕ ∂V ∂V
grad V = e + + ez
∂ ∂ϕ ∂z

 = 1 ∂ ( A ) + 1 ∂Aϕ + ∂Az
div A
∂ ∂ϕ ∂z
     
 = e 1 ∂Az ∂Aϕ ∂A ∂Az ez ∂ ∂A
rot A − + eϕ − + ( Aϕ ) −
∂ϕ ∂z ∂z ∂ ∂ ∂ϕ

∂2V 1 ∂V 1 ∂2V ∂2V

ΔV = + + +
∂ 2 ∂ 2 ∂ϕ2 ∂z 2

Spherical coordinates:

u1 = r ; u2 = ϑ ; u3 = ϕ ; h1 = 1 ; h2 = r ; h3 = r sin ϑ

r = er (ϑ, ϕ)r ; dr = er dr + eϑ rdϑ + eϕ r sin ϑdϕ

dv = r2 sin ϑ dr dϑ dϕ

x = r sin ϑ cos ϕ ; y = r sin ϑ sin ϕ ; z = r cos ϑ

262 Appendix

 r ) = er (ϑ, ϕ)Ar + eϑ (ϑ, ϕ)Aϑ + eϕ (ϕ) Aϕ ;

A( V = V (r, ϑ, ϕ)

∂V eϑ ∂V eϕ ∂V
grad V = er + +
∂r r ∂ϑ r sin ϑ ∂ϕ

 = 1 ∂ 2 1 ∂ 1 ∂Aϕ
div A (r Ar ) + (Aϑ sin ϑ) +
r2 ∂r r sin ϑ ∂ϑ r sin ϑ ∂ϕ
   
 = er ∂ ∂Aϑ eϑ 1 ∂Ar ∂
rot A (Aϕ sin ϑ) − + − (rAϕ ) +
r sin ϑ ∂ϑ ∂ϕ r sin ϑ ∂ϕ ∂r
 
eϕ ∂ ∂Ar
+ (rAϑ ) −
r ∂r ∂ϑ
 
∂2V 2 ∂V 1 ∂ ∂V 1 ∂2V
ΔV = + + 2 sin ϑ + 2 2
∂r2 r ∂r r sin ϑ ∂ϑ ∂ϑ r sin ϑ ∂ϕ2

Relations for the Gradient-Operator

grad (U V ) = U grad V + V grad U

 B)
grad (A  =  grad ) B
(A  + (B
 grad ) A
+A
 × rot B
 +B
 × rot A


grad (e r) = e ; e constant vector, r position vector

dU r
grad U (r) =
dr r
 · grad ) r
(A 
= A

Relations for the Divergence-Operator

 = U div A
div (U A) +A  grad U
div (A × B)
  rot A
= B −A  rot B

dU
div [r U (r)] = 3 U (r) + r
dr
div grad U = Δ U
div rot A = 0
div (e × r) = 0 ; e constant vector
Appendix 263

Relations for the Curl-Operator


rot (U A)  + grad U × A
= U rot A 
 × B)
rot (A   grad ) A
= (B  − (A
 grad ) B
 +A
 div B
 −B
 div A

rot (r U (r)) = 0
rot (e × r) = 2e ; e constant vector
rot grad U = 0

rot rot A  − ΔA
= grad div A 
rot rot rot (e U ) = e × grad (ΔU )
rot rot rot (r U ) = r × grad (ΔU )

Theorems

Stokes theorem
 
 da
rot A =  ds
A
a C
 
da × grad U = U ds
a C

Gauss theorem
 
 dv
div A =  da
A
v a
 
grad U dv = U da
v a
 
 dv
rot A = 
da × A
v a

Green’s first identity

 
(U Δ V + grad U grad V ) dv = U grad V da
v a

 
2 ∂U
(grad U ) dv = U da for V = U and Δ U = 0
∂n
v a
264 Appendix

Green’s second identity

   
∂V ∂U
(U Δ V − V Δ U ) dv = U −V da
dn dn
v a
 
Δ U dv = grad U da
a a

Stratton’s theorems
     
 rot B
rot A  −A
 rot rot B
 dv =  × rot B
A  da
v a
     
A rot rot B
 −B
 rot rot A
 dv =  × rot A
B −A
 × rot B
 da
v a
Bibliography

[1] Spiegel, Murray R.: “Theory and Problems of Vector Analysis”, Schaum’s Outline
Series, Mc Graw Hill Book Company, 1974

[2] Edminister, Joseph A.: “Electromagnetics”, Schaum’s Outline Series, Mc Graw

Hill Book Company, 1984

[3] Nascar, Syed A.: “2000 Solved Problems in Electromagnetics”, Schaum’s Solved
Problems Series, Mc Graw Hill Book Company, 1992

[4] Jackson, John D.: “Classical Electrodynamics”, John Wiley & Sons, 1998

[5] Jones, Douglas S.: “The Theory of Electromagnetism”, Pergamon Press, 1964

[6] Smythe, William R.: “Static and dynamic electricity”, Mc Graw Hill Book Com-
pany, 1968

[7] Stratton, Julius A.: “Electromagnetic Theory”, John Wiley & Sons, 2007

[8] Sommerfeld, Arnold: “Electrodynamics”, Academic Press, 1966

[9] Lehner, Günther: “Electromagnetic Field Theory for Engineers and Physicists”,
Springer Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg New York, 2010

[10] Morse, Philip, M., Feshbach, Herman: “Methods of Theoretical Physics, Part I,
Part II”, Mc Graw-Hill Book Company, Boston, 1953

[11] Abramowitz, Milton, Stegun, Irene A.: “Handbook of Mathematical Functions”,

Dover Publications, Inc. New York, 1972

[12] Moon, P., Spencer: “Field Theory Handbook”, Springer Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg
New York, 1971

[13] Mrozynski, Gerd: “Elektromagnetische Feldtheorie: Eine Aufgabensammlung”,

Teubner Verlag, Wiesbaden, 2003

G.Mrozynski, M.Stallein, Electromagnetic Field Theory, DOI 10.1007/978-3-8348-2178-2,

© Springer Vieweg | Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden 2013
Index
Amplitude enclosed, 3
complex, 7, 126, 198 hemispherical, 44
Angular frequency, 8 on a boundary layer, 75
Angular velocity, 129, 152 static, 2
Antenna Charge center, 47
linear, 10, 219 Charge density, 37, 49, 74, 83
on a conducting cylinder, 20
Bessel function on a sphere, 23
modified, 140, 153, 167, 171 Coaxial cable, 140, 204
ordinary, 59, 112, 247
Complex amplitude, see Amplitude
spherical, 133, 159
Computation point
Boundary condition, 1
mirrored, 40
for the electrostatic potential, 23, 43,
Conductivity, 1
57, 61, 64, 82
Conductor
for the normal component
circular, 92, 170
of the current density, 92
moving, 148
of the electric flux density, 33, 61,
planar, 100
198
Conductor loop, 5, 118, 157
of the magnetic flux density, 120
circular, 99, 114
for the tangential component
plane, 122
of the current density, 113
rotating, 129
of the electric field, 1, 198, 205, 212
Conductor system
of the magnetic field, 1, 113, 120,
coupled, 183
198, 205, 212
homogeneous, 42, 50, 51, 87 Conductors
on a sphere, 158 parallel, 124
Boundary value problem, 37, 82 Conservation of charge, 1
mixed, 86, 89 Continuity, 1
of the electrostatic potential, 52, 61,
Capacitance, 10, 48, 194 65, 95, 96
mutual, see Mutual capacitance of the normal component
Capacitance coefficients, 4, 17 of the current density, 96
Capacitor of the magnetic flux density, 104,
boundary field, 78 109, 116, 120, 135, 153, 158, 160
partially filled, 48 of the tangential component
Charge of the current density, 114

G.Mrozynski, M.Stallein, Electromagnetic Field Theory, DOI 10.1007/978-3-8348-2178-2,

© Springer Vieweg | Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden 2013
Index 267

of the electric field, 94, 198 188, 201, 226, 249

of the magnetic field, 113, 120, 135, z-directed, 109
145, 153, 160, 184, 248 axial directed, 102
of the vector potential, 104, 109, 120, high-frequency, 147
145, 153, 167 homogeneous, 119
Continuity equation, 1 impressed, 2
Contour, 1, 5 on a sphere, 137
border, 3, 68 position-dependent, moving, 148
rectangular, 129 space-varying, 2
Contour integral, 88, 129 time-dependent, 198
Coordinate system Current streamlines, 82, 84, 94, 97
moving, 149 Cut-off, 202, 225
Curl Cylinder
in spherical coordinates, 134 conducting, 59, 81, 91, 112, 166
Current conducting, layered, 126
direct, 92, 100 dielectric, 64, 91
radial inflow, 81 grounded, 59
Current density, 1, 83 highly permeable, 117
homogeneous, 114 perfectly conducting, 249
impressed, 7
Differential form, 1
induced, 2
Diffraction
initial, 95
by a dielectric cylinder, 247
radial, 93
Dipole
stationary, 5, 86
electric, 3, 24
Current density field
Hertzian, 9, 216
homogeneous, 83
layer
stationary, 81
electric, 3, 67
Current distribution, 86, 88, 92, 100, 180
magnetic, 5, 106, 115
around a conducting sphere, 95
magnetic, 131, 137
homogeneous, 95, 97
spatial distribution, 4
in a circular conductor, 92
Dipole potential, 32
induced, 131, 135, 144, 148, 152, 157, Dirac delta function, 28, 199
166 Dissipated power, see Power loss
stationary, 112 Distance
Current sharing reciprocal, 22, 30
frequency-dependent, 126, 176
Current sheet, 100, 102, 133, 144, 158, Eddy current, 126, 138
268 Index

Eigenvalue equation, 162, 214, 231, 239 magnetic, 1, 5

Eigenvalues, see Eigenvalue equation non-regular, 102
of rectangular waveguides, 198 plane, 4
Electric Field, see Field quasi stationary, 8
Electric stream function, 91 rapidly time-varying, 1
Electrode rotational symmetry, 70
conducting, 86, 100 stationary magnetic, 147
Energy time harmonic, 158
dissipated, see Power loss transient, 157
law of conservation, 7 transverse electric, 9
of the electric field, 4, 7, 48 transverse magnetic, 9
of the magnetic field, 6, 7, 102 Flux
stored, 49, 142, 163, 195 electric, 3, 4
time-averaged, 7, 143 magnetic, 5, 122, 124
unbounded, 3 Flux density
Energy balance, 157, 163 electric, 1, 3
Energy density, 4, 6, 49 magnetic, 1, 5
Equipotential lines, 16, 26, 66, 80 Flux tubes, 3
Equipotential surfaces, 27, 37, 79 Force, 1, 19, 48, 50, 53, 59, 62, 76, 114,
Excitation 131
high-frequency, 147 acting on a conductor loop, 138
time-harmonic, 157 on a point charge, 76
time-periodic, 158 Fourier integral, 73
Expansion Fourier series expansion, 107
for modified Bessel functions, 172 Function
of hyperbolic functions, 193 Bessel, see Bessel function
of the reciprocal distance, 30, 46 exponential, 42, 112
Hankel, 248
Far-field, 9, 10, 216 hyperbolic, 42, 51
Field, 2 Legendre, see Legendre polynomials
complex electric, 4, 80, 91 orthogonal, 37, 42
complex magnetic, 6 spherical harmonics, 133, 138
electric, 1 trigonometric, 42, 51, 57, 65, 82, 87,
electrostatic, 2 106, 167
exciting, 119
homogeneous, 25, 117, 129, 137, 184 Geometry
initial, 96 planar, 56
Index 269

Given potential, see Potential homogeneous, 4, 32, 34

Green’s identities, 88 potential, 31
Groove, 176, 180 Line charge density, 2
Line conductor
Half-space, 53 parallel, 106
conducting, 54, 144, 147 Line current, 6, 7, 99, 100, 106
highly permeable, 117, 147 Line source, 91, 250
permeable, 124, 147 Linear system of equations, 52, 94, 95, 113,
Hankel function, 248 129, 174
Hertzian dipole, 9, 216 Lines of force
High-frequency stimulation, 131 differential equation, 3, 136
Hollow cylinder, 106 electric, 3, 66, 80, 91
circular symmetry, 102 magnetic, 111, 148, 154, 169
permeable, 107, 118
Hollow spherical charge, 19 Magnetic field, see Field
Mapping
Image charge, 75 conformal, 4
at a conducting sphere, 76 Mapping function, 78
Image currents, 124 Massive cylinder
Impedance conducting, 152
complex, frequency-dependent, 140, Material properties, 1
181 Maxwell’s equations, 1
Inductance, 10, 194 Method of images, 62, 91, 111, 147
cylindrical geometry, 102 for conducting spheres, 39
frequency-dependent, 140 for dielectric half-spaces, 53
Integral form, 1 for permeable cylinders, 109, 153
Interconnection, 194 Mode, 196, 206, 209, 224, 239
Invariance even, 240
of the total energy, 194 excited, 200
Inverse function, 79 fundamental, 225
odd, 241
Laplace equation, 4, 25, 38, 42, 51, 57, 64, Multipole, 32
70, 73, 87, 92, 109, 115 Mutual capacitance, 4, 17
Laplace–Poisson equation, 2, 27 Mutual inductance, 6, 122
Law of induction, 181, 184
Legendre polynomials, 25, 30, 71, 96 Normal component, 107
Line charge, 59 of the current density, 86, 89
z-dependent, 29 of the electric field, 89
270 Index

of the magnetic flux density, 108 exciting, 25, 33, 40, 59, 61, 95, 107,
Normal derivative 108, 158
of the potential, 81, 84, 86, 89 given, 37, 51, 73, 79
given on a cylinder, 41, 56
Orthogonal series expansion, see Expan- given on a plane in free space, 72
sion given on a sphere, 70
of hyperbolic functions, 193
of a hemispherical charge distribu-
Orthogonality relation
tion, 44
for Bessel functions, 113, 173
of a space charge, 27
for Legendre polynomials, 71, 159
on a cylindrical surface, 89
for spherical Bessel functions, 162
on an axis, 44
for spherical harmonics, 134
resulting, 33, 35, 41, 61, 96, 97, 107,
for trigonometric functions, 57, 64,
110, 117
82, 90, 168, 190, 253
scalar magnetic, 5, 106, 115
Parallel-plate capacitor, 48, 78 Potential coefficients, 4, 14
Parallel-plate waveguide, 200, 209 Potential jump, 68, 74
Parallel-wire line, 106 Potential mirroring, 34
Partial waves, 194 Power
Permeability, 1 complex, 7
finite, 122 Power loss, 83, 86, 87, 157, 190
high, 117, 121 time-averaged, 8, 142, 144, 152, 157,
Permittivity, 1 160, 166
Phase constant, 11, 205, 209, 225, 231 Poynting theorem, 7
Phase vector, 247 Poynting vector, 9, 163, 168, 217
Phase velocity, 8, 11, 194 complex, 8, 142
Plane Primary current, 187
complex, 78
conducting, 20, 219 Radiation pattern, 9, 216
Point charge, 3, 29, 53, 76 Recurrence relation
Polarization for Bessel functions, 258
orthogonal, 249 for spherical Bessel functions, 135,
Potential, 2 162
circular symmetry, 12 for spherical harmonics, 138
complex electric, 4, 79, 91 Reflection, see Wave
complex magnetic, 6 Resistance, 86, 88, 90, 99, 143
electrodynamic, 7 frequency-dependent, see Impedance
electrostatic, 2, 12 Resonance frequency, 206
Index 271

Resonator Supply line

see Waveguide resonator, 206 massive, 180
Ring charge, 59, 76 Surface charge, 1, 13, 59, 75
Rotating field, 152 circular, 39
mirrored, 40
Schwarz-Christoffel-Mapping, 78 position dependent, 64
Screening factor, 118 Surface charge density, 2, 39
Secondary current, 187 Surface current, see Current sheet
Self-inductance, 6 System of equations, see Linear system of
inner, 142, 183 equations
outer, 143, 181 System of functions
Separation of variables, 132 orthogonal, 52, 60, 93
Separation parameter, 38, 172
Shielding, 106, 118 Tangential component, 108, 109
Singular point, 17 of the magnetic field, 2
Skin depth TEM-waves, 10, 194, 204
normalized, 127, 143, 178 Terminating resistor, 180
Skin effect equation, 126, 132 Time
Slab retarded, 11
conducting, 188 Time derivative, 136
dielectric, 231, 239 Time-average value, 7, 142
Solid angle, 3, 67 Transformation
Source distribution, 11 inverse, 79
Space charge, 1, 19 Transmission line
Space charge density, 2 ideal, 10, 194
Spectral function, 73 Turn-off, 157, 161, 188
Sphere Turn-on, 194
charged, 12
concentric, 22 Vector potential, 5, 6, 103, 106, 109, 119,
conducting, 39, 76, 95, 131, 157 122, 126, 132, 137, 140, 144, 152,
dielectric, 24, 29, 34 188, 200
grounded, 40 axially directed, 166, 206
highly permeable, 117 electrodynamic, 196
permeable, 114, 116 exciting, 109, 144, 167
Spherical calotte, 68 second order, 157
Spherical coordinates, 70 Voltage, 194
Superposition, 42, 51, 68 induced, 129
272 Index

Wave
electromagnetic, 8
excited, 197, 204
incident, 205, 249
plane, 247
reflected, 204, 226
transverse electric, 200, 209, 239
transverse magnetic, 200, 209, 239
Wave impedance, 8, 217
Waveguide
cylindrical, 10
dielectric slab, 231, 239
excitation, 225
rectangular, 196
Waveguide resonator
cylindrical, 206
Wavelength, 8
Weight function, 60