Engineering Electromagnetics:

Part 6: Plane Wave Propagation

Franz Schlagenhaufer
Curtin University, 2016
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 Topics:
Introduction: Why Study Electromagnetics
1. Vector Algebra, Coordinate Transformation
2. Vector Calculus
3. Electrostatics
4. Magnetostatics
5. Maxwell’s Equations
6. Plane-Wave Propagation
7. Introduction to Transmission Lines
3
Review: Waves
A wave is a function of both SPACE and TIME: y  f ( x, y , z , t )

𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑢𝑡 − 𝑧) 1-dimensional example:

y  f ( x, t )
t=t1 u Lets assume, the shape of the
y1 pulse does not change with time;
the pulse moves along the z-axis
x1 x2 with velocity u. The variables z
and t are related
𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑢𝑡 − 𝑥) f ( x1 , t1 )  f ( x2 , t2 )
t=t2 This condition is satisfied if:
y1
x2  x1  x, x  ut
x2  x1  (t 2  t1 )u
x1 x2

u(t2-t1)
Let’s focus on sinusoidal functions!

4
Review: Waves
A sinusoidal wave, propagating in a lossless medium
in positive x-direction is described by:
2𝜋 2𝜋
𝑦 𝑥, 𝑡 = 𝐴cos 𝜔𝑡 − 𝛽𝑥 + 𝜙0 𝜔 = 2𝜋𝑓 = 𝛽=
𝑇 𝜆

Plots of y(x,t) for: x = 0 and t = 0 (f0 = 0)

y(x,0) y(0,t)
A A

l/2 l 3l/2 T/2 T 3T/2

x t
l T
-A -A

5
Review: Waves 𝑦 𝑥, 𝑡 = 𝐴cos 𝜔𝑡 − 𝛽𝑥 + 𝜙0

y(x,t)
A

l
T
x

-A
l/4
l/2

The cosine (or sine) function repeats itself with a periodicity of 2p.
Characteristics of a time-harmonic (sinusoidal) wave are:
1 2𝜋 radians
Time period: T 𝑇= = 𝜔 = 2𝜋𝑓
𝑓 𝜔 s
2𝜋 2𝜋 radians
(Spatial) wavelength l: 𝜆= Phase constanct: 𝛽 =
𝛽 𝜆 m

𝜆 𝑚 It takes the wave the time T to

Phase velocity up: 𝑢𝑝 = = 𝜆𝑓
𝑇 𝑠 move forward by a distance of l
6
Review: Waves
𝑦 𝑥, 𝑡 = 𝐴cos 𝜔𝑡 − 𝛽𝑥 + 𝜙0

The variable next to the phase constant b defines the direction of

propagation: how to keep the argument for the cosine function
constant for increasing t? Here, x must increase for increasing t,
therefore the wave is propagating in positive x-direction.

The phase angle f0 does not affect the movement of the

wave but shifts it in respect to space and time.

When f0 is positive y(x,t) reaches its peak value, or any other specified value,
sooner than when f0 =0. Thus a wave with f0=p/4 is said to lead a wave with
f0=0 by a phase lead of p/4; and similarly, a wave with f0=-p/4 is said to lag
the wave with f0=0 by a phase lag of p/4.

7
Review: Waves
𝑦 𝑥, 𝑡 = 𝐴cos 𝜔𝑡 − 𝛽𝑥 + 𝜙0
Wave in a lossless medium: Magnitude of the wave is independent of x.

In a lossy medium the magnitude decreases as the wave moves along:

𝑦 𝑥, 𝑡 = 𝐴𝑒 −𝛼𝑥 cos 𝜔𝑡 − 𝛽𝑥 + 𝜙0

10𝑒 −0.2𝑥

10𝑒 −0.2𝑥 cos𝜋𝑥

−10𝑒 −0.2𝑥

8
Review: Waves
Example: Sound wave in water
An acoustic wave traveling in the x-direction in a fluid (liquid or gas) is characterized by
a differential pressure p(x,t) [N/m2]. Find an expression for p(x,t) for a sinusoidal sound
wave travelling in the positive x-direction in water, given that the wave frequency is
1kHz, the velocity of sound in water is 1.5km/s, the wave amplitude is 10N/m2, and
p(x,t) was observed to be at its maximum value at t=0 and x=0.25m. Treat water as a
lossless medium.
2𝜋 2𝜋
𝑝 𝑥, 𝑡 = 𝐴cos 𝜔𝑡 − 𝛽𝑥 + 𝜙0 = 𝐴cos 𝑡− 𝑥 + 𝜙0
𝑇 𝜆

𝐴 = 10 𝑁Τ𝑚2 𝑇 = 1Τ𝑓 = 10−3 𝑠 𝜆 = 𝑢𝑝 Τ𝑓 = 1.5 𝑚 (𝑢𝑝 = 𝜆𝑓)

4𝜋
𝑝 𝑥, 𝑡 = 10 cos 2𝜋 × 103 𝑡 − 𝑥 + 𝜙0
3
4𝜋 𝜋
𝑝 0.25,0 = 10 cos − 0.25 + 𝜙0 = 10 cos − + 𝜙0 = 10
3 3
𝜋 𝜋 4𝜋 𝜋
𝜙0 − = cos−1 1 𝜙0 = 𝑝 𝑥, 𝑡 = 10 cos 2𝜋 × 103 𝑡 − 𝑥+
3 3 3 3
9
Review: Complex numbers
Define: 𝑗 = −1
Complex numbers have a real part x and an imaginary part y,
and be presented in the complex plane.

ℐ𝑚(𝑧) 𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑗𝑦 𝑧1 = 𝑥1 + 𝑗𝑦1 = 𝑧1 𝑒 𝑗𝜃1

𝑥 = 𝑧 cos𝜃 𝑧2 = 𝑥2 + 𝑗𝑦2 = 𝑧2 𝑒 𝑗𝜃2
y 𝑦 = 𝑧 sin𝜃
+
𝑧 𝑧 = 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 𝑧1 + 𝑧2 = 𝑥1 + 𝑥2 + 𝑗 𝑦1 + 𝑦2
𝜃 𝜃 = tan−1 𝑦Τ𝑥
x 𝑧1 𝑧2 = 𝑥1 𝑥2 − 𝑦1 𝑦2 + 𝑗 𝑥1 𝑦2 + 𝑥2 𝑦1
ℜ𝑒(𝑧)
𝑧1 𝑧2 = 𝑧1 𝑧2 𝑒 𝑗 𝜃1 +𝜃2
𝑧∗
𝑧1 𝑥1 𝑥2 + 𝑦1 𝑦2 + 𝑗 𝑥2 𝑦1 − 𝑥1 𝑦2
Conjugate complex: =
𝑧2 𝑥22 + 𝑦22
𝑧 ∗ = 𝑥 − 𝑗𝑦
+ 𝑧1 𝑧1 𝑗 𝜃1 −𝜃2
𝑧 = 𝑧𝑧 ∗ = 𝑒
𝑧2 𝑧2
10
Review: Complex numbers
𝜃𝐼
Example: Working with complex numbers -2 3

𝑉 = 3 − 𝑗4 𝐼 = − 2 + 𝑗3 𝜃𝑉

a) Express V and I in polar form I -3

-4 V
+ + +
𝑉 = 𝑉𝑉 ∗ = 3 − 𝑗4 3 + 𝑗4 = 9 + 16 = 5
−4
𝜃𝑉 = tan−1 = −0.927 −53.1° 𝑉 = 5𝑒 −𝑗0.927 = 5𝑒 𝑗5.356
3
Note: we can avoid having
negative angles by adding 2p.
+
𝐼 = 4 + 9 = 3.61
3
𝜃𝐼 = 𝜋 + tan−1 = 4.124 (236.3°) 𝐼 = 3.61𝑒 𝑗4.124
2
Note: I is in the third quadrant of the complex plane (both, real and imaginary
part are negative) and the angle must therefore be between p and 3p/2, i.e. we
have to add p to tan-1.

11
Review: Complex numbers 𝜃𝐼
-2 3
Example: Working with complex numbers
𝜃𝑉
𝑉 = 3 − 𝑗4 𝑉 = 5𝑒 −𝑗0.927 = 5𝑒 −𝑗53.1°
𝑗4.124 𝑗236.3°
I -3
𝐼 = − 2 + 𝑗3 𝐼 = 3.61𝑒 = 3.61𝑒
-4 V

b) Find VI 𝑉𝐼 = 5𝑒 −𝑗0.927 × 3.61𝑒 𝑗4.124 = 5 × 3.61 × 𝑒 𝑗 −0.927+4.124

= 18.05𝑒 𝑗3.197

c) Find VI* 𝑉𝐼 ∗ = 5𝑒 −𝑗0.927 × 3.61𝑒 𝑗2.159 = 5 × 3.61 × 𝑒 𝑗 −0.927−4.124

= 18.05𝑒 𝑗1.232

𝑉 5 𝑗 −0.927−4.124
d) Find V/I = 𝑒 = 1.39𝑒 𝑗1.232
𝐼 3.61
𝜃
𝑗 2𝐼
e) Find 𝐼 𝐼= 𝐼𝑒 = 3.61𝑒 𝑗4.124Τ2 = ±1.90𝑒 𝑗2.062

Note: we are flexible to add 2p to the angle stay within the interval [ 0 : 2p ]

Note: we can avoid the negative sign in e) by adding p to the phase: 𝑒 𝑗𝜋 = 𝑒 −𝑗𝜋 = −1
12
Review: Phasors
Motivation: Differentiation in respect to time (d/dt) is a common occurrence in
electromagnetics (and other technical disciplines), and many engineering
problems involve solving integro-differential equations.

If a problem can be transformed from the time domain in the phasor domain
differentiation and integration can be replaced by multiplication and division, and
solutions become much simpler.

RC circuit connect to Adopt a cosine reference

a voltage source 𝑣 𝑡 = 𝑉0 sin 𝜔𝑡 + 𝜙0 = 𝑉0 cos 𝜔𝑡 + 𝜙0 − 𝜋Τ2
Ri
i(t)
v (t) + Express time-dependent variables as phasors
C ෨ 𝑗𝜔𝑡
~ 𝑧 𝑡 = ℜ𝑒 𝑍𝑒
-

𝑣 𝑡 = ℜ𝑒 𝑉0 𝑒 𝑗 𝜙0 −𝜋Τ2 𝑒 𝑗𝜔𝑡 = ℜ𝑒 𝑉𝑠 𝑒 𝑗𝜔𝑡

𝑣 𝑡 = 𝑉0 sin 𝜔𝑡 + 𝜙0
1 𝑉𝑠 = 𝑉0 𝑒 𝑗 𝜙0 −𝜋Τ2
𝑅𝑖 𝑡 + න 𝑖 𝑡 𝑑𝑡 = 𝑣(𝑡)
𝐶
Note: subscript s denotes a variable in the phasor domain 13
Review: Phasors
𝜙0 −𝜋Τ2
𝑣 𝑡 = 𝑉0 sin 𝜔𝑡 + 𝜙0 𝑣 𝑡 = ℜ𝑒 𝑉0 𝑒 𝑗 𝑒 𝑗𝜔𝑡 = ℜ𝑒 𝑉𝑠 𝑒 𝑗𝜔𝑡

Define the unknown current i(t) in terms of a phasor 𝑖 𝑡 = ℜ𝑒 𝐼𝑠 𝑒 𝑗𝜔𝑡

𝑑𝑖(𝑡) 𝑑 𝑑
= ℜ𝑒 𝐼𝑠 𝑒 𝑗𝜔𝑡 = ℜ𝑒 𝐼𝑠 𝑒 𝑗𝜔𝑡 = ℜ𝑒 𝑗𝜔𝐼𝑠 𝑒 𝑗𝜔𝑡
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

𝐼𝑠 𝑗𝜔𝑡
න 𝑖 𝑡 𝑑𝑡 = න ℜ𝑒 𝐼𝑠 𝑒 𝑗𝜔𝑡 𝑑𝑡 = ℜ𝑒 න 𝐼𝑠 𝑒 𝑗𝜔𝑡 𝑑𝑡 = ℜ𝑒 𝑒
𝑗𝜔

1
Transform our integral equation into phasor form 𝑅𝑖 𝑡 + න 𝑖 𝑡 𝑑𝑡 = 𝑣𝑠 (𝑡)
𝐶
1 1 1
𝑅 ℜ𝑒 𝐼𝑠 𝑒 𝑗𝜔𝑡 + ℜ𝑒 𝐼𝑠 𝑒 𝑗𝜔𝑡 = ℜ𝑒 𝑉𝑠 𝑒 𝑗𝜔𝑡 𝐼𝑠 𝑅+ = 𝑉𝑠
𝐶 𝑗𝜔 𝑗𝜔𝐶

𝐼𝑠 𝑗𝜔𝑡 𝑉𝑠 𝑉𝑠
ℜ𝑒 𝑅𝐼𝑠 𝑒 𝑗𝜔𝑡 + ℜ𝑒 𝑒 = ℜ𝑒 𝑉𝑠 𝑒 𝑗𝜔𝑡 𝐼𝑠 = =
𝑗𝜔𝐶 𝑅 + 1Τ 𝑗𝜔𝐶 𝑍

14
Review: Phasors
𝑉𝑠 𝑉𝑠 Instantaneous value (time domain)
𝐼𝑠 = =
𝑅 + 1Τ 𝑗𝜔𝐶 𝑍
𝑖 𝑡 = ℜ𝑒 𝐼𝑠 𝑒 𝑗𝜔𝑡

∅0 −𝜋Τ2
𝑗𝜔𝐶 𝑉0 𝜔𝐶
𝐼𝑠 = 𝑉0 𝑒 𝑗 = ℜ𝑒 + 𝑒𝑗 ∅0 −∅1
𝑒 𝑗𝜔𝑡
1 + 𝑗𝜔𝑅𝐶 1 + 𝜔 2 𝑅2 𝐶 2

𝜔𝐶𝑒 𝑗𝜋Τ2 𝑉0 𝜔𝐶
= 𝑉0 𝑒 𝑗 ∅0−𝜋Τ2 = + cos 𝜔𝑡 + ∅0 − ∅1
+
1 + 𝜔 2 𝑅2 𝐶 2 𝑒 𝑗𝜙1 1+ 𝜔 2 𝑅2 𝐶 2

𝑉0 𝜔𝐶
= + 𝑒𝑗 ∅0 −∅1
1 + 𝜔 2 𝑅2 𝐶 2

𝑗 = 𝑒 𝑗 𝜋 Τ2 𝜙1 = tan−1 𝜔𝑅𝐶

15
Maxwell’s equations in phasor domain
Vectors in the phasor domain: ҧ 𝑦, 𝑧, 𝑡) = 𝑥𝐴
𝐴(𝑥, ො 𝑥 + 𝑦𝐴
ො 𝑦 + 𝑧𝐴
Ƹ 𝑧

ҧ 𝑦, 𝑧)𝑒 𝑗𝜔𝑡 = 𝑥𝐴
𝐴𝑠 = ℜ𝑒 𝐴(𝑥, ො 𝑠,𝑥 + 𝑦𝐴
ො 𝑠,𝑦 + 𝑧𝐴
Ƹ 𝑠,𝑧

𝛻 ∙ 𝐸ത = 𝜌𝑣 Τ𝜀 𝛻 ∙ 𝐸𝑠 = 𝜌𝑣,𝑠 Τ𝜀

ഥ=0
𝛻∙𝐻 𝛻 ∙ 𝐻𝑠 = 0

𝜕𝐵ത
𝛻 × 𝐸ത = − 𝛻 × 𝐸𝑠 = −𝑗𝜔𝐵𝑠 = −𝑗𝜔𝜇𝐻𝑠
𝜕𝑡

ഥ
𝜕𝐷
ഥ = 𝐽ҧ +
𝛻×𝐻 𝛻 × 𝐻𝑠 = 𝐽ഥ𝑠 + 𝑗𝜔𝐷𝑠
𝜕𝑡
= 𝜎𝐸𝑠 + 𝑗𝜔𝜀𝐸𝑠 = 𝜎 + 𝑗𝜔𝜀 𝐸𝑠 = 𝑗𝜔𝜀𝑐 𝐸𝑠

𝜎
Complex permittivity: 𝜀𝑐 = 𝜀 − 𝑗 = 𝜀 ′ − 𝑗𝜀′′
𝜔
Note: don’t confuse ec with er! 16
Homogeneous wave equation

𝛻 × 𝐸𝑠 = −𝑗𝜔𝜇𝐻𝑠 𝛻 × 𝛻 × 𝐸𝑠 = −𝑗𝜔𝜇 𝛻 × 𝐻𝑠

𝛻 × 𝐻𝑠 = 𝑗𝜔𝜀𝑐 𝐸𝑠 𝛻 × 𝛻 × 𝐸𝑠 = −𝑗𝜔𝜇 𝑗𝜔𝜀𝑐 𝐸𝑠 = 𝜔2 𝜇𝜀𝑐 𝐸𝑠

Vector identity: 𝛻 × 𝛻 × 𝐸𝑠 = 𝛻 𝛻 ∙ 𝐸𝑠 − 𝛻 2 𝐸𝑠

Let’s assume we are in a charge-free region and therefore: 𝛻 ∙ 𝐸𝑠 = 0

𝛻 × 𝛻 × 𝐸𝑠 = −𝛻 2 𝐸𝑠 = 𝜔2 𝜇𝜀𝑐 𝐸𝑠

𝛻 2 is the Laplacian operator and is given in Cartesian coordinates as:

𝜕 2 𝜕 2 𝜕 2
𝛻 2 𝐸𝑠 = + + 𝐸
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑧 2 𝑠

17
Homogeneous wave equation
𝛻 2 𝐸𝑠 + 𝜔2 𝜇𝜀𝑐 𝐸𝑠 = 0 𝛾 2 = −𝜔2 𝜇𝜀𝑐 𝛻 2 𝐸𝑠 − 𝛾 2 𝐸𝑠 = 0

We can similarly derive the wave equation for the magnetic field

𝛻 × 𝐻𝑠 = 𝑗𝜔𝜀𝑐 𝐸𝑠 𝛻 × 𝛻 × 𝐻𝑠 = −𝑗𝜔𝜀𝑐 𝛻 × 𝐸𝑠 = −𝑗𝜔𝜀𝑐 −𝑗𝜔𝜇𝐻𝑠

𝛻 × 𝐸𝑠 = −𝑗𝜔𝜇𝐻𝑠 𝛻 2 𝐻𝑠 − 𝛾 2 𝐻𝑠 = 0

Let’s assume a lossless medium, i.e. 𝜎 = 0 or 𝜀𝑐 = 𝜀

It is customary to introduce the

wavenumber k defined by: 𝑘 = 𝜔 𝜇𝜀 𝛻 2 𝐸𝑠 + 𝑘 2 𝐸𝑠 = 0 𝛻 2 𝐻𝑠 + 𝑘 2 𝐻𝑠 = 0

Since the wave equations for E and H are of the same form their solutions will
have the same form also.

18
Homogeneous wave equation
𝛻 2 𝐸𝑠 + 𝑘 2 𝐸𝑠 = 0 This is a very compact form of the homogeneous wave equation.
We can expand it for an electric field phasor in Cartesian coordinates.

𝜕2 𝜕2 𝜕2
+ + 𝑥𝐸
ො 𝑠,𝑥 + 𝑦𝐸 Ƹ 𝑠,𝑧 + 𝑘 2 𝑥𝐸
ො 𝑠,𝑦 + 𝑧𝐸 ො 𝑠,𝑥 + 𝑦𝐸
ො 𝑠,𝑦 + 𝑧𝐸
Ƹ 𝑠,𝑧 = 0
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑧 2

The equation must hold for each component

𝜕 2 𝐸𝑠,𝑥 𝜕 2 𝐸𝑠,𝑥 𝜕 2 𝐸𝑠,𝑥 2𝐸

+ + + 𝑘 𝑠,𝑥 = 0
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑧 2

𝜕 2 𝐸𝑠,𝑦 𝜕 2 𝐸𝑠,𝑦 𝜕 2 𝐸𝑠,𝑦 2𝐸

+ + + 𝑘 𝑠,𝑦 = 0
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑧 2

𝜕 2 𝐸𝑠,𝑧 𝜕 2 𝐸𝑠,𝑧 𝜕 2 𝐸𝑠,𝑧

2
+ 2
+ 2
+ 𝑘 2 𝐸𝑠,𝑧 = 0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

19
Homogeneous wave equation
Uniform plane wave: electric and magnetic fields have uniform properties at all points
across an infinite plane. If this is the x-y plane, then E and H do not vary with x and y.

𝜕𝐸𝑥 𝜕𝐸𝑦 𝜕𝐸𝑧 𝛻 2 𝐸𝑠 + 𝑘 2 𝐸𝑠 = 0 𝜕 2 𝐸𝑠,𝑥 2𝐸

=0 =0 =0 + 𝑘 𝑠,𝑥 = 0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 reduces to 𝜕𝑧 2
𝜕 2 𝐸𝑠,𝑦
2
+ 𝑘 2 𝐸𝑠,𝑦 = 0
𝜕𝑧

𝜕𝐻𝑥 𝜕𝐻𝑦 𝜕𝐻𝑧 𝛻 2 𝐻𝑠 + 𝑘 2 𝐻𝑠 = 0 𝜕 2 𝐻𝑠,𝑥 2𝐻

=0 =0 =0 + 𝑘 𝑠,𝑥 = 0
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 reduces to 𝜕𝑧 2
𝜕 2 𝐻𝑠,𝑦
2 + 𝑘 2 𝐻𝑠,𝑦 = 0
What about 𝐸𝑠,𝑧 and 𝐻𝑠,𝑧 ? 𝜕𝑧

𝜕𝐻𝑠,𝑦 𝜕𝐻𝑠,𝑥
𝛻 × 𝐻𝑠 = 𝑗𝜔𝜀𝐸𝑠 𝑧Ƹ − = 𝑧𝑗𝜔𝜀𝐸
Ƹ 𝑠,𝑧 = 0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝜕𝐸𝑠,𝑦 𝜕𝐸𝑠,𝑥
𝛻 × 𝐸𝑠 = −𝑗𝜔𝜇𝐻𝑠 𝑧Ƹ − = −𝑧𝑗𝜔𝜇𝐻
Ƹ 𝑠,𝑧 = 0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
20
Homogeneous wave equation
Uniform plane wave: 𝜕 2 𝐸𝑠,𝑥
We have to solve: + 𝑘 2 𝐸𝑠,𝑥 = 0
𝜕𝑧 2

+ 𝑧 + 𝐸− 𝑧 = 𝐸+ −𝑗𝑘𝑧 + 𝐸 − +𝑗𝑘𝑧
Solutions are: 𝐸𝑠,𝑥 𝑧 = 𝐸𝑠,𝑥 𝑠,𝑥 𝑠,𝑥,0 𝑧 𝑒 𝑠,𝑥,0 𝑧 𝑒

+ +
Let’s check: 𝐸𝑠,𝑥 𝑧 = 𝐸𝑠,𝑥,0 𝑧 𝑒 −𝑗𝑘𝑧
+
𝑑𝐸𝑠,𝑥 𝑧 +
= −𝑗𝑘𝐸𝑠,𝑥,0 𝑧 𝑒 −𝑗𝑘𝑧
𝑑𝑧
𝑑 2 𝐸𝑠,𝑥
+ 𝑧
+
2
= −𝑗𝑘 2 𝐸𝑠,𝑥,0 𝑧 𝑒 −𝑗𝑘𝑧 = −𝑘 2 𝐸𝑠,𝑥
+ 𝑧
𝑑𝑧
− 𝑧 = 𝐸−
𝐸𝑠,𝑥 +𝑗𝑘𝑧
𝑠,𝑥,0 𝑧 𝑒

− 𝑧
𝑑𝐸𝑠,𝑥 −
= 𝑗𝑘𝐸𝑠,𝑥,0 𝑧 𝑒 +𝑗𝑘𝑧
𝑑𝑧
𝑑 2 𝐸𝑠,𝑥
− 𝑧
2𝐸− +𝑗𝑘𝑧 = −𝑘 2 𝐸 − 𝑧
= 𝑗𝑘 𝑠,𝑥,0 𝑧 𝑒 𝑠,𝑥
𝑑𝑧 2
21
Homogeneous wave equation
Wave solution in time domain:
+ 𝑧 = 𝐸+
𝐸𝑠,𝑥 −𝑗𝑘𝑧 = 𝐸 𝑒 𝑗𝜙 𝑒 −𝑗𝑘𝑧
𝑠,𝑥,0 𝑧 𝑒 𝑥

𝐸𝑥 𝑧, 𝑡 = ℜ𝑒 𝐸𝑥 𝑒 𝑗𝜙 𝑒 −𝑗𝑘𝑧 𝑒 𝑗𝜔𝑡 = 𝐸𝑥 cos 𝜔𝑡 − 𝑘𝑧 + 𝜙

That is a wave propagating in positive z-direction.

− −
𝐸𝑠,𝑥 𝑧 = 𝐸𝑠,𝑥,0 𝑧 𝑒 +𝑗𝑘𝑧 describes a wave propagation in negative z-direction.

The factor next to z is related to the wave length l:

2𝜋 2𝜋 2𝜋 1 1 𝜆0
𝑘 = 𝜔 𝜇𝜀 = ⟶ 𝜆= = = = =
𝜆 𝑘 𝜔 𝜇𝜀 𝑓 𝜇𝜀 𝑓 𝜇0 𝜀0 𝜇𝑟 𝜀𝑟 𝜇𝑟 𝜀𝑟

l0: wavelength in free space

We can deduce for the phase velocity:
2𝜋𝑓 𝜔 1 1 1 𝑐 Speed of light in free space
𝑢𝑝 = 𝜆𝑓 = = = = = 1
𝑘 𝑘 𝜇𝜀 𝜇0 𝜀0 𝜇𝑟 𝜀𝑟 𝜇𝑟 𝜀𝑟 𝑐= = 3 × 108 (𝑚Τ𝑠)
𝜇0 𝜀0
22
Intrinsic Impedance
𝑥ො 𝑦ො 𝑧Ƹ
Recall Faraday’s Law: 𝛻 × 𝐸𝑠 = −𝑗𝜔𝜇𝐻𝑠 𝛻 × 𝐸𝑠 = 𝜕Τ𝜕𝑥 𝜕Τ𝜕𝑦 𝜕Τ𝜕𝑧
+
𝐸𝑠,𝑥 +
𝐸𝑠,𝑦 +
𝐸𝑠,𝑧
For a uniform plane wave travelling in positive z-direction
(𝜕Τ𝜕𝑥 = 𝜕Τ𝜕𝑥 = 0 and 𝐸𝑠,𝑧 = 𝐻𝑠,𝑧 = 0 ) this simplifies to

𝑥ො 𝑦ො 𝑧Ƹ +
𝜕𝐸𝑠,𝑦 +
𝜕𝐸𝑠,𝑥
𝛻 × 𝐸𝑠 = 0 0 𝜕Τ𝜕𝑧 = −𝑥ො 𝜕𝑧 + 𝑦ො 𝜕𝑧
+ (𝑧) 𝐸 + (𝑧)
𝐸𝑠,𝑥 0
𝑠,𝑦
+ +
= −𝑥ො −𝑗𝑘𝐸𝑠,𝑦,0 𝑒 −𝑗𝑘𝑧 + 𝑦ො −𝑗𝑘𝐸𝑠,𝑥,0 𝑒 −𝑗𝑘𝑧

+ −𝑗𝑘𝑧
+
𝑗𝑘 +
𝐸𝑠,𝑦,0 𝑒 Intrinsic impedance
𝐻𝑠,𝑥 = 𝐸𝑠,𝑦,0 𝑒 −𝑗𝑘𝑧 = −
−𝑗𝜔𝜇 𝜂 𝜔𝜇 𝜔𝜇 𝜇0 𝜇𝑟 𝜇𝑟
+ −𝑗𝑘𝑧
𝜂= = = = 𝜂0
−𝑗𝑘 + 𝐸𝑠,𝑦,0 𝑒 𝑘 𝜔 𝜇𝜀 𝜀0 𝜀𝑟 𝜀𝑟
+
𝐻𝑠,𝑦 = 𝐸𝑠,𝑥,0 𝑒 −𝑗𝑘𝑧 =
−𝑗𝜔𝜇 𝜂
Intrinsic impedance of free space:
𝐸෠ − 𝐻
෡ are a transverse electromagnetic (TEM)
𝜇0
wave (both electric and magnetic field vector 𝜂0 = = 120𝜋 Ω ≈ 377 Ω
are normal to the propagation vector 𝜀0

Furthermore 𝑘෠ − 𝐸෠ − 𝐻
෡ are a right-hand orthogonal set 23
Intrinsic Impedance
Example: Electromagnetic Plane Wave in Air

The electric field of a 1-MHz plane wave is travelling in the +z-direction in air
points along the x-direction. If the peak value of E is 1.2p (mV/m) and E is the
maximum at t=0 and z=50m, obtain expressions for 𝐸(𝑧, ത 𝑡) and 𝐻(𝑧,
ഥ 𝑡)

𝐸ത 𝑧, 𝑡 = 𝑥𝐸
ො 𝑥+ cos 𝜔𝑡 − 𝑘𝑧 + 𝜙𝑥+

𝜔 = 2𝜋𝑓 = 2𝜋 × 106 radΤs

2𝜋 2𝜋𝑓 1 × 106 2𝜋
𝑢𝑝 = 𝑓𝜆 𝑘= = = 2𝜋 = radΤm
𝜆 𝑐 300 × 106 300

2𝜋 × 50 𝜋 𝜋
cos 2𝜋 × 106 × 0 − + 𝜙𝑥+ = cos − + 𝜙𝑥+ = 1 ⟶ 𝜙𝑥+ =
300 3 3

2𝜋 × 𝑧 𝜋
𝐸ത 𝑧, 𝑡 = 𝑥1.2𝜋cos
ො 2𝜋 × 106 × 𝑡 − + mVΤm
300 3
24
Intrinsic Impedance
Example: Electromagnetic Plane Wave in Air
ത 𝑡) and 𝐻(𝑧,
Obtain expressions for 𝐸(𝑧, ഥ 𝑡)
2𝜋 × 𝑧 𝜋
𝐸ത 𝑧, 𝑡 = 𝑥1.2𝜋cos
ො 2𝜋 × 106 × 𝑡 − + mVΤm
300 3
𝜇0
Intrinsic impedance: 𝜂= = 𝜂0 = 120𝜋 Ω
𝜀0

𝐸 1.2𝜋 × 10−3 1200𝜋 × 10−6

𝐻 = = = = 10 μAΤm
𝜂0 120𝜋 120𝜋

𝑘෠ − 𝐸෠ − 𝐻
෡ are a right-hand orthogonal set
k E H E H
x y z z -y
y z x x -z
z x y y -x
2𝜋 × 𝑧 𝜋
ഥ
𝐻 𝑧, 𝑡 = 𝑦10cos
ො 6
2𝜋 × 10 × 𝑡 − + μAΤm
300 3
25
General Relation between E and H
For any uniform plane wave travelling in an ത
𝐸𝑠 𝑘ത = 𝐸𝑠,0 𝑒 −𝑗𝑘∙𝑟ҧ
arbitrary direction: 𝑘ത = 𝑥𝑘
ො 𝑥 + 𝑦𝑘
ො 𝑦 + 𝑧𝑘
Ƹ 𝑧 ത
𝐻𝑠 𝑘ത = 𝐻𝑠,0 𝑒 −𝑗𝑘∙𝑟ҧ
1
𝐻𝑠 = 𝑘෠ × 𝐸𝑠 𝐸𝑠 = −𝜂 𝑘෠ × 𝐻𝑠 𝑘ത ∙ 𝐸𝑠 = 0 𝑘ത ∙ 𝐻𝑠 = 0
𝜂

Example: Uniform Plane Wave in Arbitrary Direction

The electric field of a uniform
plane wave in air is given as: 𝐸𝑠 𝑘ത = 𝑥100𝑒
ො 𝑗 18.2𝑦+10.5𝑧
VΤm

a) Find f and l 𝑘ത = −𝑦18.2

ො − 𝑧10.5
Ƹ 𝑘 = 18.22 + 10.52 = 21

2𝜋
𝜆= ≈ 0.3 𝑚
𝑘

𝑢𝑝 = 𝑐 = 𝜆𝑓 300 × 106
𝑓= = 1000 𝑀𝐻𝑧
0.3
26
Wave Polarisation
A wave is travelling in positive z-direction,
with its electric field given as
𝐸ത 𝑧, 𝑡 = 𝑥𝐸
ො 𝑥 cos 𝜔𝑡 − 𝑘𝑧 + 𝜙𝑥 + 𝑦𝐸
ො 𝑦 cos 𝜔𝑡 − 𝑘𝑧 + 𝜙𝑥 + 𝛿

ො 𝑠,𝑥0 𝑒 −𝑗𝑘𝑧 +𝑦𝐸

𝐸𝑠 𝑧 = 𝑥𝐸 ො 𝑠,𝑦0 𝑒 −𝑗𝑘𝑧 𝐸𝑠,𝑥0 = 𝐸𝑥 𝑒 𝑗𝜙𝑥
𝐸𝑠,𝑦0 = 𝐸𝑦 𝑒 𝑗(𝜙𝑥 +𝛿)

Let’s chose a reference point so that fx=0 𝐸𝑠,𝑥0 = 𝑎𝑥 𝑎𝑥 = 𝐸𝑠,𝑥0

𝐸𝑠,𝑦0 = 𝑎𝑦 𝑒 𝑗𝛿 𝑎𝑦 = 𝐸𝑠,𝑦0

𝐸ത 𝑧, 𝑡 = 𝑥𝑎
ො 𝑥 cos 𝜔𝑡 − 𝑘𝑧 + 𝑦𝑎
ො 𝑦 cos 𝜔𝑡 − 𝑘𝑧 + 𝛿

𝐸ത 𝑧, 𝑡 = 𝐸𝑥2 𝑧, 𝑡 + 𝐸𝑦2 (𝑧, 𝑡) = 𝑎𝑥2 cos2 𝜔𝑡 − 𝑘𝑧 + 𝑎𝑦2 cos2 (𝜔𝑡 − 𝑘𝑧 + 𝛿)

𝐸𝑦 (𝑧, 𝑡) Intensity 𝐸ത 𝑧, 𝑡 and inclination angle 𝜓 𝑧, 𝑡

𝜓 𝑧, 𝑡 = tan−1
𝐸𝑥 (𝑧, 𝑡) (with respect to zero-phase reference component,
i.e. x-component in this case)
27
Wave Polarisation
𝐸ത 𝑧, 𝑡 = 𝑥𝑎
ො 𝑥 cos 𝜔𝑡 − 𝑘𝑧 + 𝑦𝑎
ො 𝑦 cos 𝜔𝑡 − 𝑘𝑧 + 𝛿

Ex(t)=3cos(wt) Ey(t)=2cos(wt+pi/3)
5
Ex
Field [V/m]

Ey
4
0
2

Ey(t) [V/m]
t=0
0
-5 t=T/8 (45°)
0 1 2
Time [T] -2
t=T/4 (90°)
-4
-4 -2 0 2 4
Ex(t) [V/m]

28
Wave Polarisation
Some special cases: Linear polarisation: d = 0, d = p
𝐸𝑥 (𝑧, 𝑡)
𝐸𝑥 𝑧, 𝑡 = 𝑎𝑥 cos 𝜔𝑡 − 𝑘𝑧 cos 𝜔𝑡 − 𝑘𝑧 =
𝑎𝑥
𝑎𝑦
𝐸𝑦 𝑧, 𝑡 = 𝑎𝑦 cos 𝜔𝑡 − 𝑘𝑧 = 𝐸 (𝑧, 𝑡) In phase
𝑎𝑥 𝑥
𝑎𝑦
𝐸𝑦 𝑧, 𝑡 = 𝑎𝑦 cos 𝜔𝑡 − 𝑘𝑧 + 𝜋 = − 𝐸𝑥 (𝑧, 𝑡) Out of phase
𝑎𝑥

Circular polarisation: 𝑎𝑥 = 𝑎𝑦 , 𝛿 = ± 𝜋Τ2

𝐸𝑦 𝑧, 𝑡 = 𝑎𝑦 cos 𝜔𝑡 − 𝑘𝑧 ± 𝜋Τ2 = ∓𝑎𝑥 sin 𝜔𝑡 − 𝑘𝑧

𝐸𝑥2 𝑧, 𝑡 + 𝐸𝑦2 𝑧, 𝑡 = 𝑎𝑥2 cos 2 𝜔𝑡 − 𝑘𝑧 + sin2 𝜔𝑡 − 𝑘𝑧 = 𝑎𝑥2

Left-hand circularly polarised Right-hand circularly polarised

y y
𝛿 = 𝜋Τ2 𝛿 = −𝜋Τ2
wt-kz=p/4
z wt-kz=0 z wt-kz=0
x x

wt-kz=p/4 29
Wave Polarisation
Example: RHC Polarised Wave
A RHC polarised plane wave with electric field of 3 (mV/m) is travelling in positive
y-direction in a medium with e = 4e0, m = m0, and s = 0. If the wave frequency is
ത 𝑡) and 𝐻(𝑦,
100 MHz, obtain expressions for 𝐸(𝑦, ഥ 𝑡).

Since the wave is travelling positive y-direction its field components must be along
the x- and z-directions.
x Using the z-component as reference (phase angle zero)
the y-component has a phase shift of 𝛿 = −𝜋Τ2 .
y 𝐸𝑠 𝑦 = 𝑥𝐸
ො 𝑥 + 𝑧𝐸 ො −𝑗𝜋Τ2 𝑒 −𝑗𝑘𝑦 + 𝑧𝑎𝑒
Ƹ 𝑧 = 𝑥𝑎𝑒 Ƹ −𝑗𝑘𝑦
z
ො + 𝑧Ƹ 3𝑒 −𝑗𝑘𝑦
𝐸𝑠 𝑦 = −𝑥𝑗 mVΤm

1 𝜔 𝜀𝑟 2𝜋 × 100 × 106 × 2 4𝜋
𝐻𝑠 𝑦 = 𝑦ො × 𝐸𝑠 (𝑦) 𝑘= = = radΤm
𝜂 𝑐 300 × 106 3
3 𝜂0 120𝜋
𝐻𝑠 𝑦 = 𝑧𝑗Ƹ + 𝑥ො 𝑒 −𝑗𝑘𝑦 𝜂= = = 60𝜋 Ω
𝜂 𝜀𝑟 2 30