CH 8.

Plane Electromagnetic
Waves

Chap 8.1~8.3

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 8.1 Introduction
The main concern of this chapter r
r r 1 E
2
- The source-free wave equation for E : 2 E 2 2 0
- The study of the behavior of plane waves. c t
Specification of study
- The propagation of time-harmonic plane wave fields in an unbounded homogeneous medium. ( intrinsic
impedance, attenuation constant, phase constant )
- The meaning of skin depth, Poynting vector and power flux density.
- Behavior of a plane wave incident normally on a plane boundary. ( reflection and refraction of plane wave)
r
Uniform plane wave : A particular solution of Maxwells equations with E assuming the
same direction, same magnituder and same phase in infinite planes perpendicular to the direction
of propagation. ( similarly for H )

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 7-7.3 SOURCE-FREE FIELDS IN SIMPLE MEDIA

If the wave is in a simple nonconducting medium with and (J=0,=0, =0),

r
B r H r r
E E E j H
t t
uur r
uur r D r E r r
H J f H H j E
t t
uur r
D f r
gE 0 E 0

B 0 r r
gH 0 H 0

Then, r
r 1 2 E r r
E 2
2
0
u 1/ u t 2 Ek E 0
2 2
k
r r r u
r 1 2 H wavenumber
H 2
2
0 H k H 0
2 2

u t 2
Homogeneous vector Helmholtzs equations.

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 8.2 Plane Waves in Lossless Media
r
In nonconducting source free medium : 0, J 0, 0
- the source-free wave equation for free space becomes a Helmholtzs equation. (from time-
harmonic Maxwells equations)
r r
E k0 E 0
2 2

2
k0 : free space wavenumber k 0 0 0 ( rad / m)
c
r 2 2 2 For the component Ex (in Cartesian coordinates)
E a x
2
2 2 Ex
x 2
y z 2 2 2 2
k 0 E x 0.
x y z
2 2 2
2 2 2
a y 2 2 E y
x 2
y z For a uniform plane wave
(uniform magnitude, constant phase,
2 2 2 in the plane surfaces perpendicular to z.)
a z 2 2 Ez
x y z
2

2 Ex / x 2 0 and 2 Ex / y 2 0 .

d 2 Ex
k 2
0 Ex 0. ( Ex is function of ' z ')
dz 2
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 8.2 Plane Waves in Lossless Media
d 2 Ex
k 2
0 Ex 0. ( Ex is function of ' z ')
dz 2
- the solution : Ex ( z ) Ex ( z ) Ex ( z ) E0 e jk0 z E0 e jk0 z .
The real time representation of the first phasor term on the right side of the solution. (using
.) cos t
E x ( z , t ) e[ E x ( z )e jt ]
e[ E0 e j (t k0 z ) ] E0 cos(t k0 z ) (V / m).
Wave traveling in positive z direction.
E(V/m)
* The red point is looked

A T0 T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 like that point is moving.
Ex E0 cos(t k0 z )
O Z(m)
for red points, t k0 z constant
-A
dt k0 dz 0

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 8.2 Plane Waves in Lossless Media
dt k0 dz 0

dz 1
up c 3 108 (m / s ). (Phase velocity in free space)
dt k0 0 0

The definition of wavenumber.

- the number of wavelengths in a complete cycle.

2 f 2
k 0 0 0 (rad / m) - this equation are valid without the subscript 0 if the medium is a
c f 0 0 lossless material such as a perfect dielectric, instead of free space.

In the solution of Helmholtzs equation, Eq. (8-7),

Ex ( z ) Ex ( z ) Ex ( z ) E x e jk0 z E xe jk0 z .
- the second phasor term on the right side represents a sinusoidal wave traveling in the z direction with the same velocity c.

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 8.2 Plane Waves in Lossless Media
r r r
The magnetic field can be found from Eq. (7-104a), E j H
r r r
ax ay az
r r r r r 1 Ex ( z )
E 0 0 j0 (ax H x a y H y az H z ),
H 0, H
, H z 0.
z x y
j0 z
Ex ( z ) 0 0
Ex ( z )
( E0 e jk0 z ) jk0 Ex ( z ).
k0 0 0 0 1 z z
H y ( z ) Ex ( z ) Ex ( z ) ( A / m).
0 0 0 0

Intrinsic impedance of the free space, 0

0
0 0
0 120 377 ( )
- 0 is a real number, H y ( z ) is in phase with Ex ( z ). 0
1
The instantaneous expression for H H y ( z ) Ex ( z ) ( A / m).
0
r r r - for a uniform plane wave the ratio of the magnitudes of
H ( z , t ) a y H y ( z , t ) a y e[ H y ( z )e jt ]
E and H is the intrinsic impedance of the medium.
r E0
ay cos(t k0 z ) ( A / m). - H is perpendicular to E and both are normal to the direction of propagation.
0

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 Ex.8-1 p.358

E = axEx propagates in a lossless simple media (r =4, r =1, =0) in the +z direction. Assume sinusoidal 100 MHz
and peak 104 (V/m) at t =0 and z = 1/8.
(a) Instantaneous expression for E
(b) Instantaneous expression for H
(c) Location where Ex is a positive maximum when t = 10-8 (s) r
Sol) (a) Sol) (b) H a y H y a y Ex / / 0 / r 60
4
k0 r r (rad / m)
r c 3 r 104 4 1
E ( z , t ) ax E x ax 10 cos(2 108 t k0 z ) (V / m).
4 H ( z, t ) a y cos[2 108 t ( z )] ( A / m).
60 3 8
peak at t 0 and z 1/ 8, 2 108 t k0 z 0 Sol) (c) 4 1
2 108 (10 8 ) ( zm ) 2n
kz 6 / 3 8
r 4 13 3
E ( z , t ) a x104 cos(2 108 t z ) zm n (m) n 0,1, 2....
3 6 8 2
2 13
4 1 n (m),
ax10 4 cos[2 108 t ( z )] (V / m). k 8
3 8

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 8.2 Plane Waves in Lossless Media

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 8.2 Plane Waves in Lossless Media
8-2.1 Doppler Effect

When there is relative motion between a time-harmonic source and a receiver, the frequency
detected by the receiver tends to be different from that emitted by the source.

u T` u

ut

r`
T
r0 r0
At t=0 R At t=t R
- Let us assume that the source T of a time-harmonic wave of a frequency f moves with a velocity u at an angle .

- the maximum value of electromagnetic wave will reach R at t1=r0/c.

- new position T`, the next maximum value of wave emitted by T` at t will reach R at t2. (f = 1/t)
1 r ut
t2 t r `/ c t [r02 2r0 (ut ) cos (u t ) 2 ]1/ 2 if (u t ) 2 r02 , t2 t 0 (1 cos ).
c c r0
u
- the time elapsed at R, t ` t 2 t1 t (1 cos ).
c
1 f u
f ` f 1 cos
t ` u c
1 cos RF speed gun, red-shift of star
c (Taylor expansion)

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 8.2 Plane Waves in Lossless Media
8-2.2 Transverse Electromagnetic Waves
TEM wave : the E and H are perpendicular to each other, and
r both are transverse to the direction of propagation.
E
The phasor electric field intensity for a uniform plane wave
propagating in arbitrary direction.
r r r jk x x jk y y jk z z
H E ( x, y , z ) E0e .
- to satisfy the homogeneous Helmholtzs equation,
r r r r r
k 2 k x2 k y2 k z2 2 k ax k x a y k y az k z kan Wavenumber vector
In this case, is E perpendicular to the propagation direction?
- Radius (position) vector at any point on the plane
x r r r r
R ax x a y y a z z
r Plane of constant phase
R (phase front) r r jk x x jk y y jk z z
0 E ( x, y , z ) E0e .
r
an P
y r r r jkr Rr r jkar Rr
z E ( R ) E0 e E0 e n (V / m)

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 8.2 Plane Waves in Lossless Media
8-2.2 Transverse Electromagnetic Waves
- the equation of a plane normal to an , the direction of propagation. x
r r
an R Length OP . = A constant r
r r R
0
- In a charge-free region, E 0 r
r r jkar Rr an P
E0 (e n
)0
y
r jkar Rr r r r j ( k x x k y y k z z )
(e n ) a x ay az e z
x y z
r r r j ( k xk y k z )
j ( a x k x a y k y a z k z )e x y z
r jkarn Rr
jkan e
r r jkar Rr r r
jk ( E0 an )e n 0 which requires an E0 0.
r
E0 is transverse to the direction of propagation!

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 8.2 Plane Waves in Lossless Media
8-2.2 Transverse Electromagnetic Waves
r r
- The magnetic field associated with E ( R) may be obtained from
Eq.(7-104a) r r r
E j H
r r 1 r r r
H ( R) E (R)
j
r r 1r r r
or H ( R ) an E ( R ) ( A / m), where ().
k

r r 1 r r jkarn Rr
Finally, H ( R ) (an E0 )e ( A / m). by Eq. (8-26) & Eq. (8-29)

It is now clear
r that a uniform plane rwaver propagating in ran arbitrary
r
direction, arn , is a TEM wave with E H and that both E and H are
normal to an .
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 8.2 Plane Waves in Lossless Media
8-2.3 Polarization of Plane Waves
r r
When the E vector of the plane wave is fixed in the x-direction E ax Ex ,
the wave is said to be linearly polarized in the x-direction.
Consider the superposition of two linearly polarized waves: one
polarized in the x-direction, and the other polarized in the y-direction
and lagging 90 in time phase.
- Phasor notation
r r r r r
E ( z ) ax E1 ( z ) a y E2 ( z ) a x E10e jkz a y jE20e jkz ,

where E10 and E20 are the amplitudes of the two linearly polarized waves.
- Instantaneous expression
r r r
E ( z , t ) e{[ax E1 ( z ) a y E2 ( z )]e jt }
r r
ax E10 cos(t kz ) a y E20 cos(t kz ).
2

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 8.2 Plane Waves in Lossless Media
8-2.3 Polarization of Plane Waves
r r r
E ( z , t ) ax E10 cos(t kz ) a y E20 cos(t kz ).
2
r r r
- Set z=0, E (0, t ) ax E1 (0, t ) a y E2 (0, t )
r r
ax E10 cos(t ) a y E20 sin(t ).

E1 (0, t ) E2 (0, t )
- Analytically, cos(t ) , sin(t ) ,
E10 E20 y
- Which leads to the following equation for an ellipse: E(0,t)

2 2
E1 (0, t ) E2 (0, t ) E2
1.
E10 E20 E1 x
0
r r r r r
E ( z ) ax E1 ( z ) a y E2 ( z ) ax E10 e jkz a y jE20e jkz ,
- Circularly polarized if E10 E20
E10 E20 <Circular polarization>
- Elliptically polarized if

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 8.2 Plane Waves in Lossless Media
8-2.3 Polarization of Plane Waves
E2 (0, t )
- When E10 E20 , tan 1 t.
E1 (0, t )
( E rotates at a uniform rate with an angular velocity in a counterclockwise direction.)
- When E2(z) leads E1(z) by 90 in time phase,
r r r r r r
jkz jkz
E ( z ) ax E10 e a y jE20e , E (0, t ) ax E10 cos(t ) a y E20 sin(t ).
(E will rotate with an angular velocity in a clockwise direction : left-hand or negative
circularly polarized wave.)

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 8.2 Plane Waves in Lossless Media
8-2.3 Polarization of Plane Waves

r r r
- If two waves are in space E (0, t ) (ax E10 a y E20 ) cos(t ).
quadrature,
but in time phase. y
E20
E20
tan 1
E10

0 E10 x

<Linear polarization>

P366 AM FM, TV antennas

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 8.3 Plane Waves in Lossy Media
In a source-free lossy medium, the homogeneous vector Helmholtzs equation :
r r
E kc E 0
2 2
kc c - complex wavenumber
- Propagation constant : jkc j c (m 1 ).

- using Eq. (7-110), Eq. (7-114), c j ` j ``

1/ 2 1/ 2
``
j j 1 j ` 1 j
j `r r
Helmholtzs equation using propagation constant : E E 0
2 2

r r r z j z : attenuation constant (Np/m).

E ax E x a x E0e z , Ex E0 e e . : phase constant (rad/m).

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 8.3 Plane Waves in Lossy Media
8-3.1 Low-Loss Dielectrics
A low-loss dielectric
- imperfect insulator with nonzero equivalent conductivity
`` ` or / 1
`` 1 `` 2

- by using the binomial expansion: j j ` 1 j ,

2 ` 8 `
``
: Approximately proportional to the frequency.
2 `
1 ``
2
: deviates very slightly from the value for a
` 1 .
8 ` perfect (lossless) dielectric.
1/ 2
`` ``
- Intrinsic impedance : c 1 j 1 j ( )
` ` `
2 `

- The electric and magnetic field intensities in a lossy dielectric are thus not in
time phase, as they are in a lossless medium.
1 1 ``
2
- Phase velocity :
up 1 (m / s).
` 8 `

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 8.3 Plane Waves in Lossy Media
8-3.2 Good Conductors
1/ 2

A medium for which / 1, j j 1
j
1 j
j j j (e j / 2 )1/ 2 e j / 4 (1 j ) / 2
j 2
j (1 j ) f , f . - Intrinsic impedance :c j
(1 j )
f
(1 j )

().
c

phase angle of 45. Hence the magnetic field intensity lags behind the electric field intensity by 45.
- Phase velocity in a good conductor - Wavelength in a good conductor
for copper
for copper at 3 MHz
5.80 107 ( S / m), 2 u p
2 (m).
2 f f 0.24 (mm),
(m / s ), 4 10 ( H / m),
7
up
100 (m) in air.
u p 720 ( m / s) at 3 ( MHz ),
about twice the velocity of sound in air .
- Skin depth : due to e-z, the amplitude of a wave will be attenuated by e 1 =0.368 when it travels a
distance =1/ (skin depth) in good conductor and at high frequency.

1

1 1
(m). ( m).
f 2

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 Ex. 8-4, p370 Crimson Tide

E = ax100 cos(107t) (V/m) @z=0, propagating + z direction in seawater (r = 72, r = 1, = 4 (S/m))

(a) Attenuation constant, phase constant, intrinsic impedance, phase velocity, wavelength, skin depth
4
107 (rad/s), f / 2 5 106 (Hz), 200 ? 1, good conductor!
0 r 7 1 9
10 10 72
36
f 8.89 (Np/m) c (1 j ) f / e j 4 () 2 / 0.707 (m),
f 8.89 (rad/m) u / 3.53 106 (m/s) =1/ 0.112 (m)
p

(b) Distance at which the amplitude of E is 1% of its value at z = 0.

e z1 0.01 , z1 (1/ ) ln100 0.518 (m)
r
(c) Expression for E(0.8, t) and H(0.8, t). E ( z ) ax100e z e j z
r r r
E ( z, t ) Re[ E ( z )e jt ] a x100e z cos(t z ), E (0.8, t ) a x 0.082cos(10 7 t 0.8 ) (V/m)
r
H a y H y , H y ( z , t ) Ex ( z , t ) / c (Q real/phasor(complex))
EM Field attenuates very rapidly @5 MHz.
jt
H y ( z ) E x ( z ) / c , H y ( z, t ) Re[ E x ( z )e / c ] Hard to communicate with submarine.
H y (0.8) 100e 0.8 e j 0.8 /( e j / 4 ) 0.082e j 7.11 /( e j / 4 ) 0.026e j1.61 Communication with 30~300 Hz wave
r Movie Crimson Tide
H (0.8, t ) a y 0.026 cos(107 t 1.61)

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 8.3 Plane Waves in Lossy Media
8-3.3 Ionized Gases
Ionosphere : from 50 to 500 (km) in altitude, layers of ionized gases. This layers consist of
free electrons and positive ions.
- Ionized gases with equal electron and ion densities are called plasma.
- In ionosphere, the electrons are accelerated more by the electric fields of electromagnetic
waves for communication.
Troposphere:~20 km, Stratosphere: 20~50 Km
An electron of charge e in a time-harmonic electric field (mass m, in x-direction, angular
frequency .)
r r
d 2x r r e r r r
eE m 2 m 2 x or x 2 E where E and x are phasors.
dt m r r
- Such a displacement gives rise to an electric dipole moment: p ex.
r r Ne 2 r
- If there are N electrons per unit volume, the polarization vector: P Np 2 E.
m
r r r Ne 2 r p2 r Ne 2
D 0 E P 0 1 2 E 0 1 2 E , where p (rad / s ).
m 0
m 0

p 1 Ne2
- Plasma frequency: fp ( Hz ).
2 2 m 0

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 8.3 Plane Waves in Lossy Media
8-3.3 Ionized Gases
- The equivalent permittivity of the ionosphere or plasma, p2 f p2
p 0 1 2 0 1 ( F / m).
2
f p f 2
- The propagation constant: j 0 1 ,
f
0
p
- The intrinsic impedance: 2
f
1 p .
f

If f f p , becomes purely real. (attenuation without propagation)

Ex E0e z e j z . p becomes purely imaginary. (reactive load with no transmission of power)

( f p: cutoff frequency.)

If f >fp, becomes purely imaginary. (electromagnetic waves propagate unattenuated

in the plasma.
Using the value of e, m, 0: f p 9 N ( Hz ).
- The electron density of ionosphere range from 1010/m3 to 1010/m3.
- For communication beyond the ionosphere, we must use frequencies much higher than
9 (MHz).
- The signal with frequencies lower than 0.9 (MHz) propagate very far around the earth
by reflections at the ionospheres boundary and the earths surface (HAM).
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