EM Fields and Waves

Chapter 7
Dr. Ali Rahal
Beirut, Lebanon
 Chapter 7, covered topics
• Derive the general equations for
electromagnetic wave propagation
• Study electromagnetic wave propagation in
dielectrics and define loss tangent
• Study electromagnetic wave propagation in
conductors and define skin depth
• Describe electromagnetic wave power
transmission using the Poynting theorem

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 Chapter 7, covered topics
• Define the polarization of an
electromagnetic wave.

Note: The material correspond to that of ch 7

in the text book

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Chapter 5, Introduction

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 Chapter 5, Introduction
• In free space we have:
• 𝜎 = 0, 𝜀𝑟 = 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜇𝑟 = 1
• This reduce Ampere’s law and Faraday’s law
to:

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 Chapter 5, Introduction
• A time varying electric field in space will
results in a magnetic field and vice versa.
• Energy oscillate, back and forth, as it
propagates between the electric and the
magnetic fields.

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Chapter 5, Introduction

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 Chapter 5, Introduction
• The waves radiate spherically from a point
source, but at a remote distance away from the
source they resemble uniform plane waves
(UPW).
• In an UPW E and H fields are orthogonal to the
direction of propagation. Hence they are said to
propagate in TEM mode.
• The magnitude and phase of the field vectors in a
UPW are equal at every point on the wave front.
i.e no variations in x and y (assuming z for
propagation)

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Section 5.1, GENERAL WAVE EQUATIONS
• EM wave equations derivation from Maxwell's
equations.
• The Free space case:

In a space free of charge: 𝛻. 𝑫 = 0 (1)

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Section 5.1, GENERAL WAVE EQUATIONS
• In a loss-less, isotropic and homogeneous
medium, Maxwell's equations reduces to:

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Section 5.1, GENERAL WAVE EQUATIONS
• Apply the curl to Faraday’s law we get:
𝜕𝑯
𝛻𝑥 𝛻𝑥𝑬 = 𝛻𝑥(−𝜇 ) (2)
𝜕𝑡
Homogeneous material =>
𝜕
𝛻𝑥 𝛻𝑥𝑬 = −𝜇 𝛻𝑥𝑯
𝜕𝑡
Substitute for Ampere’s law by it’s value:
𝜕 𝜕𝑬
𝛻𝑥 𝛻𝑥𝑬 = −𝜇 (𝜎𝑬 + 𝜖 ) (3)
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑡

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Section 5.1, GENERAL WAVE EQUATIONS
Using the vector identity:

𝛻𝑥 𝛻𝑥𝑬 = 𝛻. 𝑬 − 𝛻 2 𝑬

𝜕𝑬 𝜕2𝑬
𝛻. 𝑬 − 𝛻 2 𝑬 = −𝜇𝜎 − 𝜇𝜖 2 (4)
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑡

Or 𝛻. 𝑬 = 0 (charge free medium)

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Section 5.1, GENERAL WAVE EQUATIONS
Equation (4) reduces to:

𝜕𝑬 𝜕2𝑬
𝛻2𝑬 = 𝜇𝜎 + 𝜇𝜖 2 (5)
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑡

This is Helmholtz equation.

Its solution represent the propagating wave E.

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Section 5.1, GENERAL WAVE EQUATIONS
Equation (5) apply to field components in x, y
and z.
Following the same procedure we develop the
Helmholtz equation for the magnetic field H.

𝜕𝑯 𝜕 2𝑯
𝛻 2 𝑯 = 𝜇𝜎 + 𝜇𝜖 2
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑡

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Section 5.1, Time Harmonic WAVE
EQUATION
• The Helmholtz equation for a time harmonic
field reduces to:
𝛻 2 𝑬𝑠 = 𝑗𝜔𝜇 𝜎 + 𝑗𝜔𝜖 𝑬𝑠 (6)
𝜕
Where = 𝑗𝜔
𝜕𝑡
and Es is the electric field phasor.
Equation (6) can be written as:

𝛻 2 𝑬𝑠 − 𝛾 2 𝑬𝑠 = 0 (7)
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Section 5.1, Time Harmonic WAVE
EQUATION
in the same way we can write for the magnetic
field H:

𝛻 2 𝑯𝑠 − 𝛾 2 𝑯𝑠 = 0 (8)

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Section 5.1, Time Harmonic WAVE
EQUATION
We define 𝛾 = 𝑗𝜔𝜇 𝜎 + 𝑗𝜔𝜖 , as the complex
propagation constant.

𝛾 = 𝛼 + 𝑗𝛽
Where:
𝜶 is the attenuation constant (Np/m).
𝜷 is the phase constant (radian/m).

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Section 5.1, Time Harmonic WAVE
EQUATION
Wave equation for an x-polarized Electric field
propagating in the z direction (UPW wave):
in phasor form:
𝑬𝑠 𝑧 = 𝐸𝑥𝑠 𝑧 𝒂𝑥 (9)
Substituting in (7) we get:
𝑑 2 𝐸𝑥𝑠
− 𝛾2𝐸𝑥𝑠 = 0 (10)
𝑑𝑧 2
(10) is a second order differential equation.

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Section 5.1, Time Harmonic WAVE
EQUATION
Equation (10) have 2 solutions:
first solution: 𝐸𝑥𝑠 = A𝑒 −λ𝑧
second solution: 𝐸𝑥𝑠 = A𝑒 +λ𝑧

Solution verification: substitute back in (10).

Aλ2𝑒 λ𝑧 - 𝛾2 A𝑒 λ𝑧 = 0 =>
λ2 - 𝛾2 = 0 => (λ + 𝛾)(λ - 𝛾) = 0
two solutions : 𝝀 = + 𝜸, 𝝀 = - 𝜸
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Section 5.1, Time Harmonic WAVE
EQUATION
first solution: 𝐸𝑥𝑠 = A𝑒 −𝛾𝑧
second solution: 𝐸𝑥𝑠 = A𝑒 +𝛾𝑧

1) Substitute for 𝛾, the instantaneous field Ex(z,t)

can be written as: phasor

𝐸𝑥 = 𝑅𝑒[𝐴𝑒 − 𝛼+𝑗𝛽 z 𝑒 𝑗𝜔𝑡 ]

= 𝐴𝑒 −𝛼𝑧 cos(𝜔𝑡 − 𝛽𝑧) (11)

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Section 5.1, Time Harmonic WAVE
EQUATION
in its general form equ. (11) is written as:

𝑬 𝑧, 𝑡 = 𝐸0+ 𝑒 −αz cos 𝜔𝑡 − 𝛽𝑧 𝒂𝑥 (12)

Equation (12) represents a wave propagating in

the +z direction (away from the source).
𝐸0+ is its magnitude at z = 0.

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Section 5.1, Time Harmonic WAVE
EQUATION
The second solution: 𝛾=+λ leads to:
𝑬 𝑧, 𝑡 = 𝐸0− 𝑒 +αz cos 𝜔𝑡 + 𝛽𝑧 𝒂𝑥 (13)

(13) represent a wave propagating in the -z

direction (toward the source).
𝐸0− is the magnitude of the field at z = 0.

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Section 5.1, Time Harmonic WAVE
EQUATION
Applying the superposition theorem the total
field E is:
𝑬𝑠 = 𝐸0+ 𝑒 −𝛾𝑧 + 𝐸0− 𝑒 +𝛾𝑧 𝒂𝑥 (14)
the general, instantaneous, solution is:

𝑬 𝑧, 𝑡 = 𝐸0+ 𝑒 −𝛼𝑧 cos 𝜔𝑡 − 𝛽𝑧 𝒂𝑥 +

𝐸0− 𝑒 +𝛼𝑧 cos 𝜔𝑡 + 𝛽𝑧 𝒂𝑥 (15)

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Section 5.1, Time Harmonic WAVE
EQUATION
To find H we use Maxwell equation:
𝜕𝑯
𝛻𝑥𝑬 = −𝜇
𝜕𝑡
Using the phasor notation:

𝛻𝑥𝑬𝑠 = −𝜇𝑗𝜔𝑯𝑠 (16)

Applying the curl to eq. 14 we get:

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Section 5.1, Time Harmonic WAVE
EQUATION
𝑎𝑥 𝑎𝑦 𝑎𝑧
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
| 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 | =
(𝐸0+ 𝑒 −𝛾𝑧 + 𝐸0− 𝑒 +𝛾𝑧 ) 0 0

𝜕
- (𝐸0+ 𝑒 −𝛾𝑧 + 𝐸0− 𝑒 +𝛾𝑧 )(−𝐚y)
𝜕𝑧
𝜕
- (𝐸0+ 𝑒 −𝛾𝑧 + 𝐸0− 𝑒 +𝛾𝑧 )(𝐚z)
𝜕𝑦
0

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Section 5.1, Time Harmonic WAVE
EQUATION
𝛻𝑥𝑬𝑠 = −𝛾𝐸0+ 𝑒 −𝛾𝑧 + 𝛾𝐸0− 𝑒 +𝛾𝑧 𝒂𝑦
Equating to (16) and re-arrange:
−𝛾𝐸0+ 𝑒 −𝛾𝑧 + 𝛾𝐸0+ 𝑒 +𝛾𝑧 𝒂𝑦 = −𝜇𝑗𝜔𝑯𝑠

1
𝑯𝑠 = 𝛾𝐸0+ 𝑒 −𝛾𝑧 − 𝛾𝐸0+ 𝑒 −𝛾𝑧 𝒂𝑦 (17)
𝑗𝜔𝜇

The instantaneous field: H(z,t) = Re[Hs𝑒 𝑗𝑤𝑡 ].

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Section 5.1, Time Harmonic WAVE
EQUATION
(17) Can be written as:
𝑯𝑠 = 𝐻0+ 𝑒 −𝛾𝑧 + 𝐻0− 𝑒 +𝛾𝑧 𝒂𝑦 (18)

𝛾𝐸0+ −𝛾𝐸0−
Where, 𝐻0+ = and 𝐻0− =
𝑗𝜔𝜇 𝑗𝜔𝜇
The impedance of the medium is defined as:
𝐸0+ 𝑗𝜔𝜇 𝑗𝜔𝜇
η= = = (19)
𝐻0+ 𝛾 𝜎+𝑗𝜔𝜀

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Section 5.1, Time Harmonic WAVE
EQUATION
• Example: 5.1

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Section 5.1, Time Harmonic WAVE
EQUATION

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Section 5.1, Time Harmonic WAVE
EQUATION
• Using eq. 19

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Section 5.1, Time Harmonic WAVE
EQUATION
• from this development we find that an EM
wave propagate in the direction ExH.
• Defining a unit vector ap in the direction of
propagation we write the equations for E and
H:
1
𝑯𝑠 = 𝒂𝑝𝑥𝑬𝑠 and
η
E𝑠 = −η𝒂𝑝𝑥𝑯𝑠 (20)

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Section 5.2, PROPAGATION IN LOSSLESS,
CHARGE-FREE MEDIA
• Consider the case of a time-harmonic field
propagating in a charge free (𝜌𝑣 = 0) medium
that have zero conductivity (𝜎 = 0).
• The propagation constant 𝛾 =
𝑗𝜔𝜇 𝜎 + 𝑗𝜔𝜖 reduces to:
𝛾 = 𝑗𝜔 𝜇𝜀 = 𝛼 + 𝑗𝛽 =>
𝛼 = 0 and
β = 𝜔 𝜇𝜀
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Section 5.2, PROPAGATION IN LOSSLESS,
CHARGE-FREE MEDIA
The propagation velocity:
𝜔 1
up = =
𝛽 𝜇𝜀

up = 𝑐 𝑖𝑛 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑒

in a non-magnetic loss less dielectric material:

𝑐
up =
𝜀𝑟

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Section 5.2, PROPAGATION IN LOSSLESS,
CHARGE-FREE MEDIA
The intrinsic impedance of a non conducting
material:
𝑗𝜔𝜇 𝜇
η= =
𝜎+𝑗𝜔𝜀 𝜀
In free space:
η = 120𝜋 𝑂ℎ𝑚𝑠

η is real => E and H are in phase.

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Section 5.3, PROPAGATION IN DIELECTRICS
Dielectrics are not perfect isolators (i.e. 𝜎 ≠ 0).
Non zero conductivity means the medium is lossy.

The conduction current 𝑱 = 𝜎𝑬.

the power dissipation in the material can be
calculated, using Joule’s law, as:
𝑃 = න 𝑬. 𝑱𝑑𝑣

𝜎 ≠ 0 => 𝛼 ≠ 0 This cause wave attenuation.

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Section 5.3, PROPAGATION IN DIELECTRICS
Another contributor to waves attenuation is the
Polarization loss.
• This comes about from the energy required of
the field to flip reluctant dipoles.
• This loss mechanism is proportional to
frequency.

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Section 5.3, PROPAGATION IN DIELECTRICS
• Defining the permittivity as a complex number
we can write:
𝜀 = 𝜀 ′ − 𝑗𝜀"
• Where 𝜀 ′ relate to the stored energy in the
medium and 𝜀" account for the losses in the same
medium.
𝜕𝑬
• Ampere’s circuital law: 𝛻𝑥𝑯 = 𝑱𝑐 + 𝜀
𝜕𝑡
′
Can be written as: 𝛻𝑥𝑯𝒔 = 𝝈𝑬𝒔 + 𝒋𝝎(𝜺 − 𝒋𝜺")𝑬𝒔

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Section 5.3, PROPAGATION IN DIELECTRICS
• Curl H can be re-arranged in the form:
𝛻𝑥𝑯𝒔 = (𝝈 + 𝝎𝜺")𝑬𝒔 + 𝒋𝝎𝜺′ 𝑬𝒔
We define the effective conductivity as:

𝜎𝑒𝑓𝑓 = 𝜎 + 𝜔𝜀"

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Section 5.3, PROPAGATION IN DIELECTRICS
Substituting 𝜎𝑒𝑓𝑓 = 𝜎 + 𝜔𝜀“ in the intrinsic
impedance equation we get:

𝑗𝜔𝜇
η=
(𝜎+𝜔𝜀") +𝑗𝜔𝜀′

η (medium impedance) is now complex. This

lead to a phase shift between the E and H fields
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Section 5.3, PROPAGATION IN DIELECTRICS
Substituting 𝜎𝑒𝑓𝑓 = 𝜎 + 𝜔𝜀“ in the propagation
constant equation we get:

𝛾= 𝑗𝜔𝜇[(𝜎 + 𝜔𝜀") + 𝑗𝜔𝜀′]

The real part = attenuation constant is > zero.

i.e. the lossy medium have an attenuation factor
α.

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Section 5.3, PROPAGATION IN DIELECTRICS
α and β in a dielectric (lossy) material:

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Section 5.3, PROPAGATION IN DIELECTRICS
• These equations can be used to find α and β
for any material, given its constitutive
parameters.
• For lossy materials with complex permittivity,
𝜎 may be replaced with 𝜎eff in the equations.

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Math details

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Math details

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Math details

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 Math details
Another mathematical form of the same for a lossy dielectric material.

𝛾= 𝑗𝜔𝜇 𝜎 + 𝑗𝜔𝜖

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 Math details
Another mathematical form of the same for a lossy dielectric material.

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Math details

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 Section 5.3, low-Loss Dielectrics
• A low loss dielectric is a material with a small
loss tangent (𝑡𝑔 𝛿 <<1).
𝜎
• The loss tangent is defined as: (𝑡𝑔 𝛿 = )
𝜔𝜀
(Conductive loss/dielectric loss).
• Substituting for this condition in the
expression for α and using the binomial
expansion we can write:

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 Section 5.3, low-Loss Dielectrics
• binomial expansion :

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 Section 5.3, low-Loss Dielectrics
𝜎 2 0.5 1 𝜎 2
• 1+ = 1+ ( )
𝜔𝜀 2 𝜔𝜀
• Substituting in the equation for α :

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 Section 5.3, low-Loss Dielectrics
• For a low loss material we have:

𝜎 𝜇
𝛼=
2 𝜀

• In the same way:

𝛽 = 𝜔 𝜇𝜀
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Section 5.3, Loss tangent

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 Section 5.3, Loss tangent
• The loss tangent is given as the ratio of the
conduction current to the displacement
current.
• From the expression of Curl H we can write:
𝜎 + 𝜔𝜀" 𝜎𝑒𝑓𝑓
tan 𝛿 = =
𝜔𝜀′ 𝜔𝜀′

tan 𝛿 is useful in classifying materials.

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 Section 5.3, Loss tangent
• In a good dielectric (𝜎 ~ 0) tan 𝛿 <<1.
𝜀"
tan 𝛿 =
𝜀′
• In a good conductor tan 𝛿 >>1 and 𝜎 ≫ 𝜔𝜀"
𝜎
tan 𝛿 =
𝜔𝜀′

tan 𝛿 is a function of frequency. It is a

measured quantity.
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Section 5.3, Loss tangent

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 Section 5.4, PROPAGATION IN
CONDUCTORS
𝜎
• In conductors, tan 𝛿 = >>1.
𝜔𝜀
• For a conductors α and β reduces to:

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Section 5.4, PROPAGATION IN
CONDUCTORS
𝜔𝜇𝜎
• 𝛼 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝛽 𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑒𝑠 𝑡𝑜: = 𝜋𝑓𝜇𝜎
2
• Since 𝜎 ≫ 𝜔𝜀 The intrinsic impedance is:
𝑗𝜔𝜇 𝑗𝜔𝜇
• η= =
𝜎+𝑗𝜔𝜀 𝜎
1+𝑗
Since 𝑗 =
2
𝜔𝜇 𝜔𝜇
• η= 1+𝑗 = 𝑒 𝑗45°
2𝜎 𝜎

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Section 5.4, PROPAGATION IN
CONDUCTORS
• From the impedance expression we find that
in a conductor, the magnetic field lags the
electric field by 45°.
• The propagation velocity is :
𝜔 2𝜔
𝑢𝑝 = =
𝛽 𝜇𝜎
In a conductor the propagation velocity is
drastically reduced.
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Section 5.4, PROPAGATION IN
CONDUCTORS
• The wavelength reduces to:
2𝜋 𝜋
λ= =2
𝛽 𝑓𝜇𝜎
• In a conductor the attenuation constant α is
large. The signal will not penetrate deep into a
conductor and it stays confined to the surface.

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Section 5.4, PROPAGATION IN
CONDUCTORS
The depth at which the signal has dropped to
1/e of its original value is defined as the skin
depth 𝛿. at the skin depth we have:
𝑒 −1 = 𝑒 −𝛼𝛿
And the skin depth is calculated using:
1 1
𝛿= =
𝛼 𝜋𝑓𝜇𝜎

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Section 5.4, PROPAGATION IN
CONDUCTORS
• When a wave propagates through a distance z
= 𝛿 , the magnitudes of its electric and
magnetic fields decrease to e−1 ≈37% of their
initial values.
• The average power density decreases to e−2 ≈
14% of its initial value.

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Section 5.4, PROPAGATION IN
CONDUCTORS

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Section 5.4, PROPAGATION IN
CONDUCTORS

The skin depth of copper at 1GHz is calculated

as 2.1 𝜇m.

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Section 5.4, PROPAGATION IN
CONDUCTORS
Solution exp 5.4:
In this example, and since the medium is a conductor
𝜔𝜇𝜎
𝛼= 𝛽= = 𝜋𝑓𝜇𝜎
2
• And
𝜔𝜇 𝜔𝜇
η= 1+𝑗 = 𝑒 𝑗45°
2𝜎 𝜎

𝜔 2𝜔
𝑢𝑝 = =
𝛽 𝜇𝜎

The skin depth of copper at 1GHz is:

1 1
.𝛿 = = = 2.1 𝜇m
𝛼 𝜋𝑓𝜇𝜎

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Section 5.5, The Poynting Vector And
EM power density
• The Poynting vector S is defined as:

S = E×H (W/m2)

• The direction of S is along the wave’s direction

of propagation. (Use RHR)

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Section 5.5, THE POYNTING Vector
And EM power density
• Assuming an EM wave incident upon an
aperture of area A with outward surface unit
vector 𝑎ෝ𝑛 :

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Section 5.5, THE POYNTING Vector
And EM power density
• The total power that flows through or is intercepted by
the aperture is:

• Since both E and H are functions of time, so is the

Poynting vector S.
• However, the quantity of greater interest is the
average power density of the wave, Sav, which is the
time-average value of S.

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Section 5.5, THE POYNTING Vector
And EM power density

• This is the average power carried by the EM

wave.

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Section 5.5, THE POYNTING Vector
and the avg power in a lossy medium
• Plane Wave in a Lossy Medium:
• Consider an x-polarized plane wave
propagating along the z direction in a lossy
medium with propagation constant
𝛾 = 𝛼 + 𝑗𝛽.

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Section 5.5, THE POYNTING Vector
and the avg power in a lossy medium
• In the general case of a wave with
components along both x and y, we have

Phys 401 Dr. Ali Rahal 71

Section 5.5, THE POYNTING Vector
and the avg power in a lossy medium
• The average power density is:

• Where η𝑐 is the impedance of the medium

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• The polarization of a uniform plane wave
describes the locus traced by the tip of the E
vector (in the plane orthogonal to the
direction of propagation) at a given point in
space as a function of time.

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• In the most general case, the locus of the tip
of E is an ellipse, and the wave is said to be
elliptically polarized. Under certain conditions,
the ellipse may degenerate into a circle or a
straight line, in which case the polarization
state is called circular or linear, respectively.

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• For a UPW the z components of the electric
and magnetic fields of a z-propagating plane
wave are both equal to zero. (Ez = Hz = 0)
• In the general case, the electric field phasor
𝑬𝒔 𝑧 of a +z-propagating plane wave consist
of an x component, 𝐸𝑥 𝒂𝑥 , and a y
component, 𝐸𝑦 𝒂𝑦 ⇒
𝑬𝒔 𝑧 = 𝐸𝑥 (𝑧) 𝒂𝑥 + 𝐸𝑦 (𝑧)𝒂𝑦

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• Where
𝐸𝑥 𝑧 = 𝐸𝑥0 𝑒 −𝑗𝑘𝑧
𝐸𝑦 𝑧 = 𝐸𝑦0 𝑒 −𝑗𝑘𝑧
• The two amplitudes 𝐸𝑥0 and 𝐸𝑦0 are, in
general, complex quantities.
• the polarization of the wave 𝑬𝒔 𝑧 ,depends on
the phase of 𝐸𝑦0 relative to that of 𝐸𝑥0 but not
on the absolute phases of 𝐸𝑥0 and 𝐸𝑦0 .

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• Taking the phase of 𝐸𝑥0 as reference we re-
write Es(z) as:
𝑬𝒔(z)= (𝐸𝑥0 𝒂𝑥 + 𝐸𝑦𝑜𝒂𝑦 ejδ)e−jkz

The corresponding instantaneous field is:

𝑬(z,t) = Re [𝑬𝒔(z) ejωt]
= 𝐸𝑥0 cos(ωt − kz) 𝒂𝑥 + 𝐸𝑦𝑜cos(ωt − kz + δ) 𝒂𝑦 .

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• The magnitude of the field 𝑬(z,t) is :

[𝐸2𝑥0 cos2(ωt − kz) + 𝐸2𝑦𝑜cos2(ωt − kz + δ)]1/2

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• And the phase of the field 𝑬𝒔(z,t) is :

−1 𝐸𝑦 𝑧,𝑡
𝜏(𝑧, 𝑡) = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 ( )
𝐸𝑥 𝑧,𝑡

• In the most general case, both the intensity of

E(z,t) and its direction are functions of z and t .

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• Special case 1, Linear polarization:
• Definition:
• A wave is said to be linearly polarized if at a
fixed z, the tip of E(z, t) traces a straight line
segment as a function of time. This happens
when Ex(z, t) and Ey(z, t) are in phase (i.e., δ =
0) or out of phase (δ = π).

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• Lets consider z = 0 case:
E(0, t) = 𝐸𝑥0 cos(ωt − kz) 𝒂𝑥 + 𝐸𝑦𝑜cos(ωt − kz) 𝒂𝑦
(in phase δ =0 )
• And
E(0, t) = 𝐸𝑥0 cos(ωt − kz) 𝒂𝑥 + 𝐸𝑦𝑜cos(ωt − kz + π) 𝒂𝑦
(out of phase δ = π )

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• Let us examine the out-of-phase case:
• The magnitude of the field vector is (at z = t = 0):

𝐸 𝑧, 𝑡 = 𝐸𝑥02 + 𝐸𝑦02
• And the tilt (inclination angle):
−1 −𝐸𝑦0
𝜏(𝑧, 𝑡) = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 ( )
𝐸𝑥0
• Note: 𝜏 is independent of z and t.

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• Special cases:

• If Ey = 0, then 𝜏 = 0◦ or 180◦, and the wave is x-

polarized;
• conversely, if Ex = 0, then 𝜏 = 90◦ or −90◦, and
the wave is y-polarized.

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• Example 1: Linear polarization in 𝒂𝑥 :

• Consider a UPW given by the equation:

𝑬 𝑧, 𝑡 = 𝐸𝑥 𝒂𝑥 = 𝐸0 cos 𝜔𝑡 − 𝛽𝑧 𝒂𝑥

On the next figure we show E plotted in the

plane z=0 (orthogonal to the propagation)

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• 𝑬 0, 𝑡 = 𝐸𝑥 𝒂𝑥 = 𝐸0 cos 𝜔𝑡 𝒂𝑥

• As the time change the field E is always

directed along the x axis. we say the wave is x-
polarized.

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• Special case 2:
• Circular polarization: when the amplitudes Exo
𝜋
and Eyo are equal and are out of phase by
2
radians (δ = φy – φx = ± 90°). circular
polarization results.
𝑬(z,t) = Re [𝑬𝒔(z) ejωt]
= 𝐸𝑥0 cos(ωt − kz) 𝒂𝑥 + 𝐸𝑦𝑜cos(ωt − kz + δ) 𝒂𝑦

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• Circular/elliptical wave polarization is called
𝜋
left-hand (LHP) when 𝛿 = + , and right-hand
2
𝜋
(RHP) when 𝛿 = − .
2

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• Left-Hand Circular (LHC) Polarization
• In case of LHC polarization Ex0 = Ey0 = a and
𝜋
𝛿= +
2
• the total phasor is :

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• Left-Hand Circular (LHC) Polarization
• The corresponding instantaneous field is:

And the tilt angle: 𝜏

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• the magnitude of |E| = a, is independent of
both z and t , whereas τ depends on both
variables.

• At z = 0, Eq. (7.56b) gives 𝜏 = −𝜔𝑡 ;

(note: the negative sign implies that the
inclination angle decreases as time increases).

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• E(t) trace a circle in the x–y plane and rotates
in a clockwise direction as a function of time
(when viewing the wave approaching).
• Such a wave is called left-hand circularly
polarized (because when the thumb of the left
hand points along the direction of
propagation (the z direction in this case) the
other four fingers point in the direction of
rotation of E.)

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• Right-Hand Circular (RHC) Polarization:
• In the case of RHC polarization Ex0 = Ey0 = a and
𝜋
𝛿=− .
2
• Following the same steps as for the LHC case
we get:
At z = 0, 𝜏 = 𝜔𝑡 (ψ on the figure)

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• Right-Hand Circular (RHC) Polarization:

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• Example:

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• Solution 7.2:

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• Solution:

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• Solution 7.2:

Phys 401 Dr. Ali Rahal 100

Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• Solution 7.2:

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• Elliptical Polarization:
• When a wave is elliptically polarized, the tip of
E(z, t) traces an ellipse in the plane
perpendicular to the direction of propagation.
• The shape of the ellipse and the field’s
handedness (left-hand or right-hand) are
determined by the values of the ratio (Ey/Ex)
and the phase difference δ .

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• Elliptical Polarization:
• The terms used to explain the elliptical
polarization are shown next.
• In term of handedness the conditions of the
circular polarization applies here.
• For elliptical polarization we have 𝐸𝑥𝑜 ≠
𝐸𝑦𝑜 (named ax and ay in the figure 7.11)

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• Elliptical Polarization:

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• Elliptical Polarization:

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• Elliptical Polarization:

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• Elliptical Polarization:

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• Elliptical Polarization:

Positive values of χ, corresponding to sinδ > 0, are

associated with left-handed rotation.
while negative values of χ, corresponding to sinδ <
0, are associated with right-handed rotation.

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Section 5.6, POLARIZATION
• Elliptical Polarization:

Phys 401 Dr. Ali Rahal 109

Phys 401 Dr. Ali Rahal 110
Example 7-3: Polarization State

Determine the polarization state of a plane wave with electric field given as:

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Example 7-3: Solution

converting the second term to a cosine reference: :

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Example 7-3: Solution

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Example 7-3: Solution

χ > 0 => left hand polarization

-45 < χ <45 => elliptical polarization
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End of Chapter 5

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