1

THE UNIFORM PLANE WAVE:

Topics dealt:
- Principles of EM wave propagation
- Physical process determining the speed of em waves; extent to which attenuation may
occur.
- Energy flow in EM waves; power carried by em waves. Pointing theorem.
- Wave polarization.
1. Wave propagation in free space
We have the generalized Maxwells equations.
Point form Integral form
Differential form Macroscopic form
Microscopic form
0
v
D
H J
t
B
E
t
D
B

J
\ -
J
J
\
J
\
\

0
s
s
L
enc v v
S v ol
S
D
H dL J s ds
t
B
E dL ds
t
D dS d
B dS
|
J
-
J
J

J

In free space ( ) 0 o ( source less 0

v
J

) these equations become
2
0
0
0
0
0
E
H
t
H
E
t
D E
B H
J
,
J
\ . -
J
J
\
J
\ \
\ \
\

0
( )
( )
0 ( )
0 ( )
0 . ( )
s
L
s
L
S
S
S
E
H d L s d s I
t
H
E d L d s I I
t
D d S E d S I I I
B d S
H d S I V
J d S c o n t i n u i t y e q u V
,
J
. -
J
J

J

The Constituent equations, in free space, are,

0
0
___________________( )
___________________( )
D E V I
B H V I I
J E
,
o
.

Concept of wave motion:
Eqn (1) states that if the electric field E

changes with time, at some point, this change produces

a rotating curling magnetic field at that point; H

varying spatially in a direction normal to its

orientation. Further, if E

changes with time, in general, so does H

although not necessarily in

the same way.
Next, from eqn. (2), we note that a time varying H

generates a rotating E

, ( curl E

), and this
E

varies spatially in a direction normal to its orientation. Because H

varies with time, so does

E

but need not be in the same way therefore we once again have a time changing electric field
3
( our original hypothesis from (1) ), but this field is present a small distance away from the point
of original disturbance. The velocity with which the effect moves away from the original point is
the velocity of light as we are going to see later.
Let us rewrite the point form of Maxwells equations in ( source free ) free space
( )
0 J o

:
________(1)
______(2)
0 _______(3)
0 _______(4)
D
H D
t
B
E B
t
D
B
J
\
J
J
\
J
\
\

Taking curl on both sides of equation ( 1 ), we get

D
H E
t t
H E
t
c
J J
\ \ \ \
J J
J
\ \ . \
J

;
;
D E
B H ,
.

and and r are independent of time.
But from ( 2 ),
_ _ _ _ _ _ ( 2 )
B
E B
t
J
\
J

Next we take curl on both sides of eqn (2) and get

4
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
_ _ _ _ _ _ (1 )
0
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ( 6 )
H
E H
t t
B u t
D E
H
t t
E
E
t
B u t
E E E
E
E E
t
B u t
E
w e g e t
E
E
t
, ,
,
,
,
J J
\ \ \ \
J J
J J
\ .
J J
J
. \ \ .
J
\ \ \ \ \
J
. \ \ \
J
\
.
J
\ .
J

Equations (5) and (6) are known as Wave Equations.

The first condition on either E

or H

is that it must satisfy the wave equation ( Although E

&H

obey the same law E

).
Wave Propagation:
Consider the special case where E

and H

are independent of two dimensions, say x and y.

Then we get
2 2 2 2
2
2 2 2 2
E E E E
E
x y z x
J J J J
\ - -
J J J J

5
Therefore eqn. (6 ) becomes
2
2
2
E
E
z
,
J
\ .
J

( E

independent of x & y ) ______ (7)

This is a set of 3 scalar equations, one for each of the scalar components of E

.
Let us consider one of them, the E
y
component for which the wave equation (6 ) is :
2 2
2 2
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 7( )
y y
E E
a
z t
,
J J
.
J J
This is a 2
nd
order PDE having a standard solution of the form
( ) ( )
1 0 2 0
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (8 )
y
E f Z t f Z t v v - -
Here 0
0 0
1
; v
,

.
f
1
,f
2
: any functions of ( )
0
x t v and ( )
0
x t v - respectively.
Examples of such functions are
cos A | ( )
0
x t v
c e
h
( )
0
x t v
0
x t v etc.,
All these equations represent a wave.
The Wave motion :
If a physical phenomenon that occurs at one place at a given time is reproduced at later time, the
time delay being proportional to the space separation from the fixed location, then the group of
phenomena constitutes a wave. ( A wave not necessarily be a repetitive phenomenon in time)
6
The functions f
1 ( )
0
x t v and f
2 ( )
0
x t v - describe such a wave mathematically. Here the wave
varies in space as a function of only one dimension.
f
1
( )
0 1
x t v t = t
1
Z
f
1
( )
0 2
x t v t = t
2
Z
v
0
(t
2
t
1
)
Figure shows the function f
1
( )
0
x t v at two different instances of time t
1
and t
2
.
f
1
becomes a
function of z only since t gets fixed here.
f
1
( )
0
x t v
at t = t
1
is shown in figure above as
( )
1 0 1
f z t v
. At another time t
2
( t
2
> t
2
) we get another function of z namely
( )
1 0 2
f z t v . This is
nothing but time shifted version of
( )
1 0 1
f z t v ,
shifted along + z axis by a distance z
=
( )
0 2 1
t t v .
This means that the function f
1 ( )
0
x t v has traveled along + z axis with a velocity
0
v . This is
called a traveling wave.
On the other hand ( )
2 0
f z t v - represents a wave traveling along z axis with a velocity
0
v and
is called a reflected wave, as we shall further seen in the next semester, in the topic transmission
line.
7
This shows that the wave equation has two solutions ( as expected, since the wave eqn. is a
second order PDE ) a traveling wave ( or forward wave ) along + z direction represented by
f
1 ( )
0
z t v and the other a reverse traveling wave ( reflected wave ) along z axis. If there is no
reflecting surface, the second term of eqn. (8) is zero, resulting is
E = f
1 ( )
0
z t v _________(9)
Remember that eqn. (9) is a solution of the wave equation and is only for the particular case
where the electric field E

is independent of x and y directions; and is a function of z and t only.

Such a wave is called also the equation does not indicate the specific shape of the wave
(amplitude variation) and hence is applicable to any arbitrary waveform.
8
UNIFORM PLANE WAVES:
In free space ( source-less regions where
0 J o

), the gauss law is

0 0
0 ________ (1)
D E E or
D
\ \ . .
\

The wave equation for electric field, in free-space is,

2
2
2
________ (2)
E
E
t
,
J
\ .
J

The wave equation (2) is a composition of these equations, one each component wise,
ie,
2 2
2 2
2 2
2 2
2 2
2 2
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ ( 2 )
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ ( 2 )
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ ( 2 )
E x E y
a
x t
E y E y
b
y t
E z E z
c
z t
,
,
,
J J
.
J J
J J
.
J J
J J
.
J J
Further, eqn. (1) may be written as
0 ________ (1)
E x E y E z
a
x y z
J J J
- -
J J J
For the UPW, E

is independent of two coordinate axes; x and y axes, as we have assumed.

0
x y
J J
.
J J
Therefore eqn. (1) reduces to
0 _ _ _ _ _ _ (3)
z
E
z
J

J
ie., there is no variation of E
z
in the z direction.
Also we find from 2 (a) that
2
2
E z
t
J
J
= 0 ____(4)
These two conditions (3) and (4) require that E
z
can be
(i) Zero
(ii) Constant in time or
9
(iii) Increasing uniformly with time.
A field satisfying the last two of the above three conditions cannot be a part of wave motion.
Therefore E
z
can be put equal to zero, (the first condition).
The uniform plane wave (traveling in z direction) does not have any field components of E

& H

in its direction of travel.

Therefore the UPWs are transverse., having field components (of E

& H

) only in directions
perpendicular to the direction of propagation does not have any field component only the
direction of travel.
RELATION BETWEEN E

& H

in a uniform plane wave.

We have, from our previous discussions that, for a UPW traveling in z direction, both E

& H

are independent of x and y; and E

& H

have no z component. For such a UPW, we have,

( 0 ) ( 0 ) _ _ _ _ _ (5)
( 0 )

( 0 ) ( 0 ) _ _ _ _ _ (6 )
( 0 )
y
x
z z
y
x
z z
i j k
E
E
E i j
x y z
E x E y E z
i j k
H
H
H i j
x y z
H x H y H z
J J J J J
\ -

J J J J J

J J J J J
\ -

J J J J J

Then Maxwells curl equations (1) and (2), using (5) and (6), (2) becomes,

______ (7)

______ (8)
E Ex Ey Hy Hx
H i j i j
t t t z z
and
H Hx Hy Ey Ex
E i j i j
t t t z z
, , ,
J J J J J

\ . . - . -

J J J J J

J J J J J

\ -

J J J J J

E
z
= 0
10
Thus, rewriting (7) and (8) we get

_ _ _ _ _ _ ( 7 )

_ _ _ _ _ _ (8 )
H y H x E x E y
i j i j
z z t t
E y E x H x H y
i j i j
z z t t
,
J J J J

- . -

J J J J

J J J J

-

J J J J

Equating

i th and j th terms, we get

( )
( ) ( )
1 0 0
1 0 0 0 1
' '
0 0
1
0
'
1
0
_ _ _ _ _ _ 9 ( )
_ _ _ _ _ _ 9 ( )

_ _ _ _ _ _ 9 ( )
_ _ _ _ _ _ 9 ( )
1
; . ,
. .
. 9 ( ) , ,
H y E x
a
z t
H x E y
b
z t
E y H x
i c
z t
a n d
E x H y
d
z t
L e t
E y f z t T h e n
E
E y
f z t f
t
F r o m e q n c w e g e t
H x
f f
t
H x f d z
,
,
v v
,
v v v
v
, ,
,
J J
.
J J
J J
.
J J
J J

J J
J J

J J

J

J
.
. J

J
.
.

. c -
11
( )
'
0 ' '
1
1 1
1
z
N o w
z t
f
f f
z z
f
H
z
v
,
J
J

J J
J .
. .
J

( )
'
0 ' '
1
1 1
1
1
N o w
z t
f
f f
z z
f
d z c f c
z
H x E y c
v
, ,
,
J
J

J J
J . .
. - -
J
.
-

The constant C indicates that a field independent of Z could be present. Evidently this is not a
part of the wave motion and hence is reflected.
Thus the relation between H
X
and E
Y
becomes,
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (1 0 )
x y
y
x
H E
E
H
,
,
.

.
.
Similarly it can be shown that
x
y
E
H
,

.
_____________ (11)
12
In our UPW,

x y
E E i E j -

2
2
2
2
0
_______ ( )
E
E E
t t
E E
E x i
t t
B u t E
E
, o
, o ,

J J
\ - .

J J

J J
\ .
J J
\
.

13
DERIVATION OF WAVE EQUATION FOR A CONDUCTING MEDIUM:
In a conducting medium, =
0
, r = r
0
. Surface charges and hence surface currents exist, static
fields or charges do not exist.
For the case of conduction media, the point form of maxwells equations are:
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ( )
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ( )
0 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ( )
0 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ( )
( ),
D E
H J E i
t t
B H
E i i
t t
D E E i i i
B H H i v
T a k i n g c u r l o n b o t h s i d e s o f e q u a t i o n i w e g e t
E
H E
t
o
,
, ,
o
o
J J
\ - - .
J J
J J
\
J J
\ \ . . \
\ \ \

J
\ \ \ - .

J

\

( )
( )
2
2
2
2
2
2
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ( )
. ( ) . ( ),
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ( )
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ( )
. ( )
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (
E E v
t
s u b s t i t u t i n g e q n i i i n e q n v w e g e t
H H
H v i
t t
B u t H H H v i i
e q n v i b e c o m e s
H H
H H v i i
t t
o , ,
, o ,
J
- . \
J

J J
\ \ - .

J J

\ \ \ \ \
.
J J
. \ \ \ .
J J

2
2
2
)
1 1
0 0
. ( ) ,
0 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ( )
i
B
B u t H B
e q n v i i i b e c o m e s
H H
H i x
t t
, , ,
, o ,
\ \ \
.
J J
\ .
J J

14
This is the wave equation for the magnetic field H

in a conducting medium.
Next we consider the second Maxwells curl equation (ii)
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ( )
H
E i i
t
,
J
\
J

Taking curl on both sides of equation (ii) we get

( )
( )
2
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ( )
;
H
H
E x
t t
B u t E E E
, ,
J \
J
\ \ \
J J
\ \ \ \ \

Vector identity and substituting eqn. (1) in eqn (2), we get

( )
2
2
2
0
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ ( )
E
E E E
t t
E E
x i
t t
B u t E
, o
, o ,

J J
\ \ \ - .

J J

J J
.
J J
\
.

(Point form of Gauss law) However, in a conductor, p = 0, since there is no net charge within a
conductor,
Therefore we get 0 E \

Therefore eqn. (xi) becomes,

2
2
2
E E
E
t t
, o ,
J J
\ .
J J

____________ (xii)
This is the wave equation for electric field E

in a conducting medium.
15
Wave equations for a conducting medium:
- Regions where conductivity is non-zero.
- Conduction currents may exist.
For such regions, for time varying fields
The Maxwells eqn. Are:
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (1)
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (2)
: ( / )
E
H J
t
H
E
t
J E C ondu ct i v i t y m
,
o o
J
\ - .
J
J
\
J
0

= conduction current density.
Therefore eqn. (1) becomes,
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (3)
E
H E
t
o
J
\ - .
J

Taking curl of both sides of eqn. (2), we get
( )
( )
( )
2
2
2
2
2
2
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ( 4 )
( )
s i n . ( 4 ) ,
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ ( 5 )
1
t a n ,
E H
t
E E
t t
B u t
E E E v e c t o r i d e n t i t y
u g t h i s e q n b e c o m e s v e c t o r i d e n t i t y
E E
E E
t t
B u t D
i s c o n s t E D
,
, , o
, o ,

J
\ \ \
J
J J

J J
\ \ \ \ \
J J
\ \ \
J J
. \
. \ \
.

Since there is no net charge within a conductor the charge density is zero ( there can be charge
on the surface ), we get.
1
0 E D \ \
.


Therefore using this result in eqn. (5)
16
we get
2
2
2
0 ________(6 )
E E
E
t t
, o ,
J J
\ .
J J

This is the wave eqn. For the electric field E

in a conducting medium.
This is the wave eqn. for E

. The wave eqn. for H

is obtained in a similar manner.

Taking curl of both sides of (1), we get
2
2
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ( 7 )
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ( 2 )
(1) ,
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (8 )
E
H E
t
H
B u t E
t
b e c o m e s
H H
H
t t
o
,
, , o
J
\ \ . \ - \
J
J
\
J
.
J J
\ \ .
J J

As before, we make use of the vector identity.

( )
2
H H H \ \ \ \ \

in eqn. (8) and get

( )
2
2
2
2
2
2
________ (9)
1 1
0 0
.(9)
________ (10 )
H H
H H
t t
B u t
B
H B
eq n b ecom es
H H
H
t t
, o ,
, , ,
, o ,
J J
\ \ \ .
J J
\ \ \
.
J J
\ .
J J

This is the wave eqn. for H

in a conducting medium.
Sinusoidal Time Variations:
In practice, most generators produce voltage and currents and hence electric and magnetic fields
which vary sinusoidally with time. Further, any periodic variation can be represented as a weight
sum of fundamental and harmonic frequencies.
Therefore we consider fields having sinusoidal time variations, for example,
E = E
m
cos ut
E = E
m
sin ut
17
Here, w = 2rf, f = frequency of the variation.
Therefore every field or field component varies sinusoidally, mathematically by an additional
term. Representing sinusoidal variation. For example, the electric field E

can be represented as
( )
( ) ( )
, , ,
. , , ; , ,
E x y z t a s
i e E r t r x y z

Where E

is the time varying field.

The time varying electric field can be equivalently represented, in terms of corresponding phasor
quantity E

(r) as
( ) ( )
, ________ (11)
j t
e
E r t R E r e
u
|

The symbol tilda placed above the E vector represents that E

is time varying quantity.

The phasor notation:
We consider only one component at a time, say E
x
.
The phasor E
x
is defined by
( ) ( ) ,
, _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (1 2 )
j t
x e x
E r t R E r e
u

( )
x
E r

denotes E
x
as a function of space (x,y,z). In general ( )
x
E r

is complex and hence can be

represented as a point in a complex and hence can be represented as a point in a complex plane.
(see fig) Multiplication by
jw t
e results in a rotation through an angle wt measured from the angle
o. At t increases, the point E
x
jw t
e traces out a circle with center at the origin. Its projection on
the real axis varies sinusoidally with time & we get the time-harmonically varying electric field
Ex

(varying sinusoidally with time). We note that the phase of the sinusoid is determined by o,
the argument of the complex number E
x
.
Therefore the time varying quantity may be expressed as
18
,
________ (13)
cos( ) ________ (14)
j j t
x e x
x
E R E e e
E t
o u
u o

Maxwells eqn. in phasor notation:

In time harmonic form, the Maxwells first curl eqn. is:
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ (15)
D
H J
t
J
\ -
J

using phasor notation, this eqn. becomes,
( )
________ (16 )
j t j t j t
e e e
R H e R D e R J e
t
u u u
J
| |
\ -
] ]
J

The diff. Operator \ & R
e
part operator may be interchanged to get,
( ) ( )
( )
0
j t j t j t
e e e
j t j t
e e
j t
e
R H e R D e R J e
t
R j D e R J e
R H j D J e
u u u
u u
u
u
u
J
|

\ -

J
]
| |
-
] ]
.

| \
]

This relation is valid for all t. Thus we get
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (1 7 ) H J j D u \ -

This phasor form can be obtained from time-varying form by replacing each time derivative by
., j w i e i s t o b e re p l a c e d b y
t
u
J

J

For the sinusoidal time variations, the Maxwells equation may be expressed in phasor form as:
( )
(17)
(18 )
(19)
( 20 ) 0 0
L
S
L
S
V V
S
V
S
H J j D H d L J j D d s
E j B E d l j B d s
D D d s d
B B d s
u u
u u

\ - -
\
\
\

The continuity eqn., contained within these is,

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ ( 21)
S
v o l
J j J d s j d v u u \




19
The constitutive eqn. retain their forms:
D E
B H
J E
,
o
.

____ (22)
For sinusoidal time variations, the wave equations become
,
,
2 2
2 2
( )
( )
E E for elect ri c fi eld
H H for elect ri c fi eld
u ,
u ,
\ .
\ .


_________ (23)
Vector Helmholtz eqn.
In a conducting medium, these become
( )
( )
2 2
2 2
0
0
E j E
H j H
u , u , o
u , u , o
\ - .
\ - .

________ (24)
Wave propagation in a loss less medium:
In phasor form, the wave eqn. for VPW is
2
2 2
2
2
2
2
1 2
; _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (25)
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ (26 )
y
y
j x j x
y
E
E E
E
x
x
E
E C e C e
| |
u ,
|
|

!
J
J .
!

J
`
J
!

!
. -

C
1
& C
2
are arbitrary constants.
The corresponding time varying field is
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
1 2
1 2
,
_ _ _ _ _ _ (27)
cos cos _ _ _ _ _ _ (28 )
j t
y e y
t z t z j j
e
E x t R E x e
R C e C e
C t z C t z
u
u | u |
u | u |
-
|
]
|
-
]
- -

When C
1
and C
2
are real.
Therefore we note that, in a homogeneous, lossless medium, the assumption of sinusoidal time
variations results in a space variation which is also sinusoidal.
Eqn. (27) and (28) represent sum of two waves traveling in opposite directions.
If C
1
= C
2
, the two traveling waves combine to form a simple standing wave which does not
progress.
If we rewrite eqn. (28) with E
y
as a f
n
of (x-vt),
we get v =
u

20
Let us identify some point in the waveform and observe its velocity; this point is
( ) t x a u | constant
Then
' ' a t
d x x
d t t
u
u u
v
| | |



J J

J

This velocity is called phase velocity, the velocity of a phase point in the wave.
| is called the phase shift constant of the wave.
Wavelength: These distance over which the sinusoidal waveform passes through a full cycle of
2r radians
ie.,
0
2
2 2
2
;
1
:
Z
o r
B u t
f
o r
f f i n H
| :
: :
|
|
u : v v
|
v u
v
u
v v
|
,

.
Wave propagation in a conducting medium
21
We have,
Where
( )
2 2
2 2
0 E E
j
j j

u , u , o
u , o u
\
. -
- .

y is called the propagation constant is, in general, complex.
Therefore, y = o + j|
o = Attenuation constant
| = phase shift constant.
The eqn. for UPW of electric field strength is
2
2
2
E
E
x

J

One possible solution is

( )
0
x
E x E e

Therefore in time varying form, we get

( )
0
,
x j t
e
x jw t
e
E x t R E e e
e R E e
u
o

|
]
|
]

This eqn. shown that a up wave traveling in the +x direction and attenuated by a factor
x
e
o
.
The phase shift factor
2
and veloci ty f
:
|

o = Real part of y = RP ( ) j j t u, o u -
=
2
2 2
2
2 2
1 1
2
1 1
2
, o
u
u
, o
| u
u

.
-

.


.
- -

.

22
Conductors and dielectrics:
We have the phasor form of the 1
st
Maxwells curl eqn.
c di sp
H E j E J J o u \ - . -

where
c
J E o

conduction current density ( A/m

2
)
di sp
J j E u .

displacement current density ( A/m

2
)
cond
di sp
J
J
o
u
.
.
We can choose a demarcation between dielectrics and conductors;
1
o
u

.
* 1
o
u
>
.
is conductor. Cu: 3.5*10
8
@ 30 GHz
* 1
o
u
<
.
is dielectric. Mica: 0.0002 @ audio and RF
* For good conductors, o & r are independent of freq.
* For most dialectics, o & r are function of freq.
*
o
u .
is relatively constant over frequency range of interest
Therefore dielectric constant
*
o
u .
dissipation factor D
if D is small, dissipation factor is practically as the power factor of the dielectric.
PF = sino
o = tan
-1
D
PF & D difference by <1% when their values are less than 0.15.
23
a) Express
( )
6 0
8 0
2 10 0 .5 30
10 0 cos 2 10 0 .5 30 /
10 0
y
j t z
y e
E t z v m a s a p h a sor
E R e
:
:
-
-
|

]
Drop R
e
and suppress e
jwt
term to get phasor
Therefore phasor form of E
ys
=
0
0.5 30
100
z
e
-
Whereas E
y
is real, E
ys
is in general complex.
Note: 0.5z is in radians;
0
30 in degrees.
b) Given
0 0 0
1 0 0 3 0 2 0 5 0 4 0 2 1 0 , /
s
E a x a y a z V m z - z - z

find its time varying form representation

Let us rewrite
s
E

as
( ) ( ) ( )
( ) ( ) ( )
0 0 0
0 0 0
30 50 210
30 50 210
0 0 0
10 0 20 4 0 . /
10 0 20 4 0 /
10 0 cos 30 20 cos 50 4 0 cos 210 /
j j j
s
j t
e s
j t j t j t
e
E e a x e a y e a z V m
E R E e
R e e e V m
E t t t V m
u
u u u
u u u

- -
- -
| .
]
|
- -

]
- - -

None of the amplitudes or phase angles in this are expressed as a function of x,y or z.
Even if so, the procedure is still effective.
c) Consider
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
0 .1 20
0 .1 20
0 .1
20 /
20
20 cos 20 /
, ,
: , ,
j z
j z
s
j t
e
z
x x
j t x
e x
j t
e x
H e a x A m
H t R e a x e
e t z a x A m
E E x y z
E
N o t e c o n s i d e r R E x y z e
t t
R j E e
u
u
u
u
u
-
-

J J
|
]
J J
|
]

Therefore taking the partial derivative of any field quantity wrt time is equivalent to multiplying
the corresponding phasor by j u.
24
Next, the wave equation in free space is:
2
2
2
2 2
0
0
2 2 2
2 2 2
2
0 2 2 2
2 2 2
2
0 2 2 2
,
s s s
s s s
s
x
s x s x s x
x s
E
E
t
k
k
E E E
E E E
k E
x y z
f o r E c o m p o n e n t
E E E
k E
x y z
,
|
| u ,
u , |
J
\ .
J

.
. \ .
J J J
- -
J J J
J J J
- -
J J J

For a UPW traveling along z axis,

We get
2
2
0
2
s x
x s
E
k E
x
J

J
One solution:
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
0
0
0 0
0 0
, c o s
, c o s
j k z
x s x
x x
x x
E E e
E z t E t k z
E z t E t k z
u
u

.
-
These two are called the real instantaneous forms of the electric field.
( ) ( )
8
0 0
8
0 0
0 0
0
1 1
3 1 0
3 1 0
, c o s /
x x
c
k
e
E z t E t z c
,
,
u
|
u
. -

.
.
. |
]
We can visualize wave propagation by putting t-0
( ) ( ) ( )
0 0 0 0
, 0 cos cos cos
x x x x
z
E z E E z E k z
e
u
|




This is a simple periodic f
n
that repeats every incremental distance i, known as wavelength. The
requirement is that k
0
i = 2r
ie.,
8
0
2 3 10
in f
c
x re e s p a c e
k f f
:

25
Given
( ) ( )
( )
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
0 0 .4
0
50 0 4 0 20 0 6 0 0 /
2, 3,1 0
2, 3,1 10 .
3, 4, 2 20 .
j x
s
E a y j a z e V m
F i n d a
b E a t a t t
c E a t a t t n s
d E a t a t t n s
u

z -

a) From given data,

0 0
8
6
9
7
9
6
0 . 4
0 . 4 3 1 0
1 2 0 1 0
1 0
4 1 0
3 6
1 9 . 1 1 0 f H z
| u ,
u
:
:

.

.


b) Given,
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
( )
( ) ( )
0
0 0
0 0
0 0 .4
40 0 .4 71.56 5 0 .4
0 .4 40 0 .4 71.56 5
0 .4 40 0 .4 71.56 5
50 0 40 20 0 6 0 0
50 0 6 32.456
50 0 6 32.456
50 0 6 32.456
50 0 cos 0
j x
s
j j x j j x
j x j x
j x j x
j t j t
e
E ay j az e
e e ay e e az
e ay e az
E t R e e ay e e az
t
u u
u

- -
- -
-
z -
-
-
|
-

]

( ) ( )
( ) ( ) ( )
0
0
.4 40 6 32.456 cos 0 .4 71.56 5
2, 3,1 0 50 0 cos 0 .4 40 6 32.456 0 .4 71.56 5
36 .297 291.0 76 /
x ay t x az
E at t x ay x az
ay az V m
u -
-

c)
( ) ( )
( )
( )
6 9 0
6 9 0
10 2, 3,1
50 0 cos 120 10 10 10 0 .4 2 40
6 32.456 cos 120 10 10 10 0 .4 2 71.56 5
477.8 23 417.473 /
E a t t ns a t
a y
a z
a y a z V m

-
-

26
d)
at t = 20 ns,
( )
2, 3,1
438 .736 6 31.6 44 /
E a t
a y a z V m -

D 11.2:
Given
( )
0 0.07
2 40 3 20 /
j z
s
H ax ay e A m

z z

for a UPW traveling in free space. Find

(a) u (b) H
x
at p(1,2,3) at t = 31 ns. (c) H

at t=0 at the origin.

(a) we have p = 0.07 ( )
j z
e term
|
8 6
6
0 .0 7
0 .0 7
0 .0 7 3 10 21.0 10 / sec
21.0 10 / sec
ra d
ra d
u ,
u
,
. .

.

(b)
( )
,
( ) ( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
0 0
40 0 .0 7 20 0 .0 7
0 0
0
6 0
6 9 0
3
2 3
2 cos 0 .0 7 40 3 cos 0 .0 7 20
( ) 2 cos 0 .0 7 40
( ) 1, 2, 3
2 cos 2.1 10 0 .21 40
31 sec; 2 cos 2.1 10 31 10 0 .21 40
2 cos 6 51 10
j j z j j z j t
e
x
x
H t R e e ax e e ay e
t z ax t z ay
H t t z
H t at p
t
At t n
u
u u
u

|

]
-

( )
0
0 .21 40
1.9333 / A m

(c)
( ) ( ) ( )
( ) ( ) ( )
0 2 cos 0 .0 7 0 .7 3 cos 0 .7 0 .35
2 cos 0 .7 3 cos 0 .3
1.53 2.8 2
3.20 6 6 6 /
H t a t t z a x z a y
H t a x a y
a x a y
A m
-

27
In free space,
( ) ( )
( )
( )
( )
( ) ( )
, 1 2 0 s i n /
,
1 2 0
1 2 0
s i n
1 2 0 1 2 0
1
s i n
1
, s i n
y
x
y
x
E z t t z a y V m
f i n d H z t
E
w e h a v e
H
E
H t z a y
t z
H z t t z a x
u |
) :
u |
: :
u |
:
u |
:


.

.

Problem 3. J&B
Non uniform plans waves also can exist under special conditions. Show that the function
( )
sin
z
F e x t
o
u
v
v

satisfies the wave equation
2
2
2 2
1 F
F
c t
J
\
J
provided the wave velocity is given by
2 2
2
1
c
e
o
v
u

-


Ans:
From the given eqn. for F, we note that F is a function of x and z,
( )
( )
( )
( )
2 2
2
2 2
2 2
2 2
2
2 2
2
c o s
s i n
s i n
s i n
z
z
z
z
z
F F
F
x y
F
e x t
x
F e
e x t F
x
F
e x t
z
F
e x t F
z
o
o
o
o
o
u u
v
v v
u u u u
v
v v v v
u
v
v
u
o v o
v

J J
. \ -
J J
J

J
J



J

J

J
J
-
J
28
( ) ( )
( ) ( ) ( )
2
2 2
2
2
2
2
cos
si n
z
z
F F
d F
e x t
d t
d F
e x t
d t
F
o
o
u
o
v
u u
v v
v v
u u
v v v
v v
u

. \ -











The given wave equation is
( )
2
2
2 2
2
2 2
2 2
2 2
2
2 2
2 2
2
2 2
2
2
2
2
2
2 2 2
2
2 2 2 2 2
2
2 2
2
1
1
1
1
F
F
c t
F F
c
c
c
c
c c
c c
c
o r
c
u
o u
v
u u
o
v
u u
o
v
u
v
u
o
u
v
o o u
u
v
o
u
J
\
J

.


.
-

-
.
-
-

-
The electric field intensity of a uniform plane wave in air has a magnitude of 754 V/m and is
in the z direction. If the wave has a wave length i = 2m and propagating in the y direction.
Find
(i) Frequency and | when the field has the form ( ) cos A t z u | .
(ii) Find an expression for H

.
In air or free space,
8
3 10 / sec c m v
29
(i)
( )
8
8
6
3 10
/ sec 1.5 10 150
2
2 2
3.14 /
2
754 cos 2 150 10
z
e
f m H z M H z
m
r a d m
m
E t y

: :
|

: :

.
(ii)
For a wave propagating in the +y direction,
x z
z z
E E
H H
)
For the given wave,
( )
6
754 / ; 0
754 754
754 /
120 377
2 cos 2 150 10 /
z x
x
E V m E
H A m
H t y a x A m
)
:
: :

.
.

find for copper having o = 5.8*10

7
(\/m) at 50 Hz, 3MHz, 30GHz.
7 7
3
2 2
3
3
3
5
6
3
7
6
2 1
1 1 1 1
4 10 5.8 10
1 1 1 6 6 10
4 5.8 23.2
6 6 10
( ) 9.3459 10
50
6 6 10
( ) 3.8 10 5 10
3 10
6 6 10
( ) 3.8 10 5 10
3 10
f
f
f f
f
i m
i i m
i i i m
o
u, o : , o
: :
: :

30
Wave Propagation in a loss less medium:
Definition of uniform plane wave in Phasor form:
In phasor form, the uniform plane wave is defined as one for which the equiphase surface is
also an equiamplitude surface, it is a uniform plane wave.
For a uniform plane wave having no variations in x and y directions, the wave equation in
phasor form may be expressed as
2 2
2 2
2 2
0 ________ ( )
E E
E r E i
Z Z
u , |
J J
.
J J


where | u , . . Let us consider eqn.(i) for, the E
y
component, we get
2
2
2
y
y
E
E
Z
|
J

J
y
E has a solution of the form,
1 2
________ (2)
j z j z
y
E C e C e
| | -
-
Where C
1
and C
2
are arbitrary complex constants. The corresponding time varying form of
y
E is
( ) ( ) ,
( )
1 2
,
_______ (3)
j t
y e y
j z j z j t
e
E z t R E z e
R C e C e e
u
| | u

|
| -
]
]

If C
1
and C
2
are real, the result of real part extraction operation is,
( ) ( ) ( )
1 2
, cos cos _______ (4)
y
E z t C t z C t z u | u | . - -
From (3) we note that, in a homogeneous lossless medium, sinusoidal time variation results
in space variations which is also sinusoidal.
Equations (3) and (4) represent sum of two waves traveling in opposite directions.
If C
1
= C
2
, the two wave combine to form a standing wave which does not progress.
Phase velocity and wavelength:
The wave velocity can easily obtained when we rewrite E
y
as a function and ( ) z t v t , as in
eqn. (4). This shows that
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ( 5 )
u
v
|

In phasor form, identifying a some reference point on the waveform and observing its
velocity may obtain the same result. For a wave traveling in the +Z direction, this point is
given by t z a u | constant.
31
d z
d t
u
v
|
.
, as in eqn. (5)
This velocity of some point on the sinusoidal waveform is called the phase velocity. | is
called the phase-shift constant and is a measure of phase shift in radians per unit length.
Wavelength: Wavelength is defined as that distance over which the sinusoidal waveform
passes through a full cycle of 2r radius.
ie.,
2
2 2 2 1
; ________(7)
2
, ________(8)
f
f
f f i n H z
| :
: : : v
v
|
u , : , ,
v

.
. . .
.
For the value of | given in eqn. (1), the phase velocity is,
0
8
0
1
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ (9)
; 3 10 / sec C C m
u u
v v
|
u , ,
v

. .

Wave propagation in conducting medium:
The wave eqn. written in the form of Helmholtz eqn. is
( ) ( )
2 2
2 2
0 _______(10 )
_______(11)
E E
w h ere j j j

u , u, o u, o u
\
. -

.
y, the propagation constant is complex = o + j| _________(12)
We have, for the uniform plane wave traveling in the z direction, the electric field E

must
satisfy
2
2
2
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ (13)
E
E
Z

J

This equation has a possible solution

( )
0
_______(14)
Z
E Z E e

In time varying form this is becomes

( ) ,
0
, _______(15)
Z j t
e
E z t R E e e
u

=
( )
,
0
________(16 )
j t z z
e
e R E e
u | o
32
This is the equation of a wave traveling in the +Z direction and attenuated by a factor
Z
e
o
.
The phase shift factor and the wavelength phase, velocity, as in the lossless case, are given
by
2
f
: u
| v
|

The propagation constant
We have, ( ) ________(11) j j u, o u - .
( )
2
2 2 2 2
2 ________(17) j j j o | o o| | u, o u , . - - .
2 2 2 2 2 2
; ________(18)
________(19)
2
o | u , | o u ,
o| u, o
u, o
o
|
. . - .

.
Therefore (19) in (18) gives:
2
2 2
4 2 2 2 2 2
2 2 2
4 2 2
2 4 2 2 2 2 2
2
2 2
2 2
2
2 2 2
2 2
2
2 2
2
2 2
4
4 4 0
0
4
2
1
2
1 1
2
1 1 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ( 20 )
2
1 1 _ _ _ _ _ _ _
2
a n d
u , o
| u ,
|
| | u , u , o
u , o
| | u ,
u , u , o u , o
|
u o
u , u ,
u , u o
u
, o
| u
u
, o
o u
u

- .


.
.
. t -

. t . -

.

.
t -

.

.
. - -

.

.
-

.

_ _ _ _ ( 21)
33
We choose some reference point on the wave, the cosine function,(say a rest). The value of
the wave ie., the cosine is an integer multiple of 2r at erest.
0
2 k z m : . at m
th
erest.
Now let us fix our position on the wave as this m
th
erest and observe time variation at this
position, nothing that the entire cosine argument is the same multiple of 2r for all time in
order to keep track of the point.
ie., ( )
0 0
2 / t k z m t z c u | : u
Thus at t increases, position z must also increase to satisfy eqn. ( ). Thus the wave erest (and
the entire wave moves in a +ve direction) with a speed given by the above eqn.
Similarly, eqn. ( ) having a cosine argument ( )
0
t z u | - describes a wave that moves in the
negative direction (as + increases z must decrease to keep the argument constant). These two
waves are called the traveling waves.
Let us further consider only +ve z traveling wave:
We have

0 0
0
x y
i j k
x y z
E E
J J J

J J J
( )
( )
( ) ( )
0 0
0 0
0
0
0 0
0
0
0 0
0
0

1
, c o s
; 3 7 7 1 2 0
s s
y
x
y
x s
y
j k z j z
o y z x
y x
x
y
E j H
E
E
i j k j i H x j b
z z
E
j H
z
H E e E e
j
H z t E t z
E
H
|
u ,
u ,
u ,
u , ,
u |
,
,
) ) ) :

\
J
J
- - - -

J J

J
.
J
.
.
.
.
0 0
.

34
E
y
and H
x
are in phase in time and space. The UPW is called so because q is uniform thought
any plane Z = constant.
Energy flow is in +Z direction.
E and H are perpendicular to the direction of propagation; both lie in a plane that is
transverse to the direction of propagation. Therefore also called a TEM wave.
11.1. The electric field amplitude of a UPW in the az direction is 250 V/m. If E

=
x
E ax and
u = 1m rad/sec, find (i) f (ii) i (iii) period (iv) amplitude of H

.
6
2 1 0
1 5 9 . 1 5 5
2 2 2
1 . 8 8 4 9 5
1
6 . 2 8 3
1 2 0
2 5 0
0 . 6 6 3 1 /
1 2 0 1 2 0
x
y
y
x
y
f
f K H z
C
k m
f
p e r i o d s
f
E
a m p l i t u d e o f H
H
E
H A m
u :
: : :

,
) :
: :




.
11.2. Given
( )
0 0 0.07
2 40 3 20 /
j z
s
H ax ay e A m

z z

for a certain UPW traveling in free

space.
Find (i)u, (ii)H
x
at p(1,2,3) at t = 31ns and (iii) H

at t = 0 at the orign.
35
Wave propagation in dielectrics:
For an isotopic and homogeneous medium, the wave equation becomes
2 2
0 0
s s
r r r r
E k
k k u , , | ,
\ .
. . .

For E
x
component
We have
2
2
2
x s
x s
d E
k E
dz

for E
x
comp. Of electric field wave traveling in Z direction.
k can be complex one of the solutions of this eqn. is,
0
z j z
x s x
j k j
E E e e
o |
o |

-

Therefore its time varying part becomes,

( )
0
cos
z
x s x
E E e t z
o
u |

This is UPW that propagates in the +Z direction with phase constant | but losing its amplitude
with increasing
( )
z
Z e
o
. Thus the general effect of a complex valued k is to yield a traveling
wave that changes its amplitude with distance.
If o is +ve o = attenuation coefficient if o is +ve wave decays
If o is -ve o = gain coefficient wave grows
In passive media, o is +ve o is measured in repers per meter
In amplifiers (lasers) o is ve.
Wave propagation in a conducting medium for medium for time-harmonic fields:
(Fields with sinusoidal time variations)
For sinusoidal time variations, the electric field for lossless medium (o = 0 ) becomes
2 2
E E u , \ .

In a conducting medium, the wave eqn. becomes for sinusoidal time variations:
( )
2 2
0 E j E u , uo \ - .

36
Problem:
Using Maxwells eqn. (1) show that
. 0 D \

in a conductor
if ohms law and sinusoidal time variations are assumed. When ohms law and sinusoidal time
variations are assumed, the first Maxwells curl equation is
H E j E o u \ - .

Taking divergence on both sides, we get,
( )
( )
0
0
0
, &
H E j E
E j
or D j
are
o u
o u
o
u
o u
\ \ \ - . \
. \ - .

\ -

.

.

constants and of finite values and 0 .

0 D \

37
Wave propagation in free space:
The Maxwells equation in free space, ie., source free medium are,
0
_________(1)
_________(2)
0 _________(3)
0 _________(4)
E
H H
t
H
E
t
D
B
,
J
\ .
J
J
\
J
\
\

Note that wave motion can be inferred from the above equation.
How? Let us see,
Eqn. (1) states that if electric field E

is changing with time at some, point then magnetic field

H

has a curl at that point; thus H

varies spatially in a direction normal to its orientation

direction. Further, if E

varies with time, then H

will, in general, also change with time;

although not necessarily in the same way.
Next
From (2) we note that a time varying H

generates E

; this electric field, having a curl,

therefore varies spatially in a direction normal to its orientation direction.
We thus have once more a time changing electric field, our original hypothesis, but this field is
present a small distance away from the point of the original disturbance.
The velocity with which the effect has moved away from the original disturbance is the
velocity of light as we are going to prove later.
UNIFORM PLANE WAVE:
Uniform plane wave is defined as a wave in which (1) both fields E

and H

lie in the
transverse plane. Ie., the plane whose normal is the direction of propagation; and (2) both E

and H

are of constant magnitude in the transverse plane.

Therefore we call such a wave as transverse electro magnetic wave or TEM wave.
The spatial variation of both E

and H

fields in the direction normal to their orientation (travel)

ie., in the direction normal to the transverse plane.
38
Differentiating eqn. (7) with respect to Z
1
we get
2 2
0 0 2
________(9)
x
E H y H
Z Z t t Z
, ,
J J J J


J J J J J

Differentiating (8) with respect to t

1
we get
2 2
0
2
_________(10 )
x
E H
t Z t
J J
.
J J J
Therefore substituting (10) into (9) gives,
2 2
0 0
2 2
_________(11)
x x
E E
t t
,
J J
- .
J J
This eqn.(11) is the wave equation for the x-polarized TEM electric field in free space.
The constant
0 0
1
, .
is the velocity of the wave in free space, denoted c and has a value
8
3 10 / sec m , on substituting the values,
9
7
0 0
1 0
4 1 0 /
3 6
H m a n d , :
:

.
.
Differentiating (10) with respect to Z and differentiating (9) with respect to t and following the
similar procedure as above, we get
2 2
0 0
2 2
_________(13)
y y
H H
Z t
,
J J
.
J J
eqn. (11 and (13) are the second order partial differential eqn. and have solution of the form, for
instance,
( ) ( ) ( )
1 2
, / / ________(14)
x
E Z t f t Z f t Z v v -
Let
x
E E ax

(ie., the electric field is polarized (!) in the x- direction !) traveling along Z
direction. Therefore variations of E

occurs only in Z direction.

Form (2) in this case, we get
( ) ( )
0 0


0 0 _________(5)
0 0
x y z
x
x
a a a
E H H
E j j
x y z z t t
E
, ,
J J J J J J
\
J J J J J J

Note that the direction of the electric field E

determines the direction of H

, we is now along the

y direction.
39
Therefore in a UPW, E

and H

are mutually orthogonal. (ie., perpendicular to each other). This

in a UPW .
(i) E

and H

are perpendicular to each other (mutually orthogonal and

(ii) E

and H

are also perpendicular to the direction of travel.

Form eqn. (1), for the UPW, we get
0 0

y
x
H
E E
H a x t a x
Z t t
J
J J
\ .
J J J

(using the mutually orthogonal property) _______________(6 )

Therefore we have obtained so far,
0
0
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ( 7 )
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ( 8 )
y
x
y
x
H
E
Z t
H
E
Z t
,
J
J

J J
J
J
.
J J
f
1
and f
2
can be any functions who se argument is of the form / t Z v t .
The first term on RHS represents a forward propagating wave ie., a wave traveling along positive
Z direction.
The second term on RHS represents a reverse propagating wave ie., a wave traveling along
negative Z direction.
(Real instantaneous form and phaser forms).
The expression for E
x
(z,t) can be of the form
( ) ( ) ( )
( ) ( )
( ) ( ) ( )
1
1
0 1 0 2
1
0 0 1 0 0 2
, , ,
cos / cos /
cos cos _______ 15
x x x
x p x p
x x
E z t E z t E z t
E t Z E t Z
E t k z E t k z
u v o u v o
u o u o
-
| |
- - -
] ]
- - - -
p
v is called the phase velocity = c in free space k
0
is called the wave number in free space =
c
u
rad/m _________(16 )
eqn. (15) is the real instantaneous forms of the electric (field) wave. ( experimentally
measurable)
u
0
t and k
0
z have the units of angle usually in radians.
u : radian time frequency, phase shift per unit time in rad/sec.
k
0
: spatial frequency, phase shift per unit distance in rad/m.
k
0
is the phase constant for lossless propagation.
40
Wavelength in free space is the distance over which the spatial phase shifts by 2r radians, (time
fixed)
ie.,
0 0
0
2
2
k z k
or
k
:
:

(in free space) _________(17)

Let us consider some point, for instance, the crest or trough or zero crossing (either ve to +ve or
+ve to ve). Having chosen such a reference, say the crest, on the forward-propagating cosine
function, ie., the function ( )
0 1
cos t k z u o - . For a erest to occur, the argument of the cosine
must be an integer multiple of 2r. Consider the m
th
erest of the wave from our reference point,
the condition becomes,
K
0
z = 2mr, m an integer.
This point on the cosine wave we have chosen, let us see what happens as time increases.
The entire cosine argument must have the same multiple of 2r for all times, in order to keep
track of the chosen point.
Therefore we get, ( )
0
/ 2 _______(18) t k z t Z m u u v :
As time increases, the position Z must also increase to satisfy (18). The wave erest, and the entire
wave, moves in the positive Z-direction with a phase velocity C (in free space).
Using the same reasoning, the second term on the RHS of eqn. (15) having the cosine argument
j [
0
t k z u - represents a wave propagating in the Z direction, with a phase velocity C, since as
time t increases, Z must decrease to keep the argument constant.
41
POLARISATION:
It shows the time varying behavior of the electric field strength vector at some point in space.
Consider of a UPW traveling along Z direction with E

and H

vectors lying in the x-y plane.

- If 0 Ey

and only Ex

is present, the wave is said to be polarized in the x-direction.

- If Ex

= 0 and only Ey

is present, the wave is said to be polarized in the y-direction.

Therefore the direction of E

is the direction of polarization

- If both Ex

and Ey

are present and are in phase, then the resultant electric field E

has a
direction that depends on the relative magnitudes of Ex

and Ey

.
The angle which this resultant direction makes with the x axis is tan
-1
Ey
Ex

; and this angle will be

constant with time.
(a) Linear polarization:
In all the above three cases, the direction of the resultant vector is constant with time and the
wave is said to be linearly polarized.
If Ex

and Ey

are not in phase ie., they reach their maxima at different instances of time, then
the direction of the resultant electric vector will vary with time. In this case it can be shown that
the locus of the end point of the resultant E

will be an ellipse and the wave is said to be

elliptically polarized.
In the particular case where Ex

and Ey

have equal magnitudes and a 90

0
phase difference, the
locus of the resultant E

is a circle and the wave is circularly polarized.

Linear Polarisation:
Consider the phasor form of the electric field of a UPW traveling in the Z-direction:
( )
0
j z
E Z E e
|
.

Its time varying or instanious time form is

( ) ,
0
,
j z j t
e
E Z t R E e e
| u

The wave is traveling in Z-direction.

Therefore
z
E

lies in the x-y plane. In general,

0
E

is a complex vector ie., a vector whose

components are complex numbers.
Therefore we can write
0
E

as,
0 0 r i
E E j E -

42
Where
0
E

and
0 i
E

are real vectors having, in general, different directions.

At some point in space, (say z = 0) the resultant time varying electric field is
( )
( ) , 0 0
0 0
0 ,
c o s s i n
j t
e r i
r i
E t R E j E e
E t E t
u
u u
-

Therefore E

not only changes its magnitude but also changes its direction as time varies.
Circular Polarisation:
Here the x and y components of the electric field vector are equal in magnitude.
If E
y
leads E
x
by 90
0
and E
x
and E
y
have the same amplitudes,
Ie.,
x y
E E , we have, ( )
0
E ax j ay E -

The corresponding time varying version is,

( ) j [
0
0
0
2 2 2
0
0 , cos sin
cos
sin
x
y
x y
E t a x t a y t E
E E t
a nd E E t
E E E
u u
u
u

.

. -

Which shows that the end point of ( )

0
0, E t

traces a circle of radius

0
E as time progresses.
Therefore the wave is said to the circularly polarized. Further we see that the sense or direction
of rotation is that of a left handed screw advancing in the Z-direction ( ie., in the direction of
propagation). Then this wave is said to be left circularly polarized.
Similar remarks hold for a right-circularly polarized wave represented by the complex vector,
( )
0
E ax j ay E -

It is apparent that a reversal of the sense of rotation may be obtained by a 180

0
phase shift
applied either to the x component of the electric field.
Elliptical Polarisation:
Here x and y components of the electric field differ in amplitudes
( )
x y
E E

.
Assume that E
y
leads E
x
by 90
0
.
Then,
0
E ax A j ay B -
Where A and B are +ve real constants.
43
Its time varying form is
( )
2
2
2 2
0 , cos sin
cos
sin
1
x
y
y
x
E t ax A t ay B t
E A t
E B t
E
E
A B
u u
u
u

.

. -

Thus the end point of the ( ) 0, E t

vector traces out an ellipse and the wave is elliptically

polarized; the sense of polarization is left-handed.
Elliptical polarization is a more general form of polarization. The polarization is completely
specified by the orientation and axial ratio of the polarization ellipse and by the sense in which
the end point of the electric field moves around the ellipse.
44
REFLECTION AND REFARACTION OF PLANE WAVES
REFLECTION BY A PERFECT CONDUCTOR:
NORMAL INCIDENCE:
When an em wave traveling in one medium impinges upon a second medium having a different
, or , o . , then the wave will be partially transmitted, and partially reflected.
When a plane wave in air is incident normally on the surface of a perfect conductor the wave is
for fields that vary with time, neither E

nor H

can exist within a conductor., therefore no

energy of the incident wave is transmitted.
As there can be no loss within a perfect conductor; therefore none of the energy is obsorbed.
Therefore, the amplitudes of E

and H

in the reflected wave are the same as in the incident

wave; the only difference is in the direction of power flow.
Let
j x
i
E e
|
________(1) be the incident wave.
Let the boundary, the surface of the perfect conductor be at x = 0.
The reflected wave is
j x
r
E e
|
__________(2)
E
r
must be determined from the boundary conditions.
With respect to,
(i) E
tan
is continuous across the boundary
(ii) E

is zero within the conductor.

Therefore at the boundary, ie., at x = 0, the electric field is zero. This requires that, the sum of the
electric field strengths in the initial and reflected waves add to give zero resultant field strength
in the plane x = 0.
_______(3)
r i
E E .
The amplitude of the reflected electric field strength is equal to that of the incident electric field
strength but its phase has been reversed on reflection.
The resultant electric field strength at any point at any point a distance x from the x = 0 plane is
the sum of the field strengths of the incident and reflected wave at that point, given by
( )
( )
( )
2
2 sin _______ 4
j x j x
T i r
j x j x
i
i
E x E e E e
jE e e
jE x
| |
| |
|
-
-
-


45
Its time varying version is
( )
( )
, 2 sin
2 sin sin , _______ 5
j t
T e i
i i
E x t R j E x e
E x t i f E real
u
|
| u
|
]

1. Eqn. (3) shows that (1) the incident and reflected waves combine to produce a standing
wave, which does not progress.
2. The magnitude of the electric field varies sinusoidally with distance from the reflecting
plane.
3. It is zero at the surface and at multiples of half wave lengths from the surface.
4. It has a maximum value of twice the electric field strength of the incident wave at
distances from the surface that are odd multiples of a quarter wavelength.
In as much as the BCs require that the electric field is reversed in phase on reflection to produce
zero resultant field at the boundary surface.
Therefore if follows that H

must be reflected without phase reversal. (otherwise if both are

reversed, on reversal of direction of energy propagation), which is required in this case).
Therefore the phase of the mag field strength is the same as that of the incident mag field
strength H
i
at the surface of reflection.
( )
( )
( )
2
2 cos _______ 6
j x j x
T i r
j x j x
i
i
H x H e H e
H e e
H x
| |
| |
|

-
-

H
i
is real since it is in phase with E
i
Further,
( ) ( ) ,
( )
,
2 cos cos ______ 7
j t
T e T
i
H x t R H x e
H x t
u
| u

The resultant magnetic field strength H also has a standing was distribution. This SWD has
maximum value at the surface of the conductor and at multiples of a half i from the surface,
where as the zero points occur at odd multiples of a quarter wavelength from the surface. From
the boundary conditions for H its follows that there must be a surface current of Js amperes per
such that J
S
= H
T
(at x = 0).
Since E
i
and H
i
were in phase in the incident plane wave, eqns. (6 ) and (7) show that E
T
and H
T
are 90
0
out of time phase because of the factor j in eqn. (4).
This is as it should be, for it indicates no average flow of power. This is the case when the energy
transmitted in the forward direction is equaled by that reflected back.
46
Let us rewrite eqns. (4) and (6 )
( ) ( ) ( )
( ) ( )
/ 2
, 2 sin 2 sin cos / 2 _______ 8
, 2 cos cos _______ 9
j j t
T e i i
T i
E x t R E x e e E x t
H x t H x t
: u
| | u :
| u

|
]

Eqns. (8) and (9) show that E

T
and H
T
differ in time phase by 90
0
.
REFLECTION BY A PERFECT CONDUCTOR OBLIQUE INCIDENCE:
TWO SPACIAL CASES:
1. Horizontal Polarisation: (also called perpendicular polarization) Here the electric field
vector is parallel to the boundary surface, or perpendicular to the plane of incidence.
( Transverse electric TE)
2. Vertical Polarisation: (also called parallel polarization) Here the magnetic field vector is
parallel to the boundary surface, and the electric field vector is parallel to the plane of
incidence. (Transverse magnetic TM)
TE or TM are used to indicate that the electric or magnetic vector respectively is parallel to the
boundary surface/plane.
When a wave is incident on a perfect conductor, the wave is totally reflected with the angle of
incidence equal to the angle of reflection.
Case 1: E perpendicular to the plane of incidence: (perpendicular Polarisation)
The incident and reflected waves have equal wavelengths and opposite directions along the Z
axis, the incident and reflected waves form a standing wave distribution pattern along this axis.
In the y direction, both the incident and reflected waves progress to the right (+y direction) with
the same velocity and wavelength and so there will be a traveling wave along the +y direction.
The expression for reflected wave, using the above fig, is
( )
( )
( )
( )
( ) ( )
( )
( )
sin cos
sin cos
sin cos sin cos
sin
______ 8
______ 9
2 sin cos
2 sin _______ 10
y
j y z
refelect ed r
j y z
i nci dent i
j y z j y z
i
j y
i
j y
i z
E E e
and E E e
E E e e
jE z e
jE z e
| 0 0
| 0 0
| 0 0 | 0 0
| 0
|
| 0
|
-

-

|

]

From the BCs we have,
E
r
= - E
i
47
Therefore total electric field strength E is given by
( )
( )
( )
( )
( ) ( )
( )
( )
sin cos
sin cos
sin cos sin cos
sin
_ _ _ _ _ _ 8
_ _ _ _ _ _ 9
2 sin cos
2 sin _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 10
y
j y z
ref el ect ed r
j y z
i n ci d en t i
j y z j y z
i
j y
i
j y
i z
E E e
a n d E E e
E E e e
j E z e
j E z e
| 0 0
| 0 0
| 0 0 | 0 0
| 0
|
| 0
|
-

-

|

]

Where,
2 u :
|
v o
Phase shift constant of the incident wave,
cos
z
| | 0 = Phase shift constant in the Z direction.
sin
y
| | 0 = Phase shift constant in the y direction.
2 2
cos cos
z
: :

| | 0 0

: wavelength: distance twice between modal points of the
standing wave distribution.
The planes of zero electric field strength occur at multiples of
2
z

from the reflecting surface.

The planes of max electric field strength occurs at odd multiples of
4
z

from the surface.

The whole standing wave distribution of electric field strength is seen from eqn. (10 ) above to be
traveling in the y direction with a velocity,
sin sin
y
y
u u v
v
| | 0 0

This is the velocity with which a erest of the incident wave moves along the y axis. The
wavelength in this direction is,
sin
g

Case 2: E parallel to the plane of incidence: (parallel polarization)

Here, E
i
and E
r
will have the instantaneous directions shown above, because the components
parallel to the perfectly conducting boundary must be equal and opposite.
48
The magnetic field strength vector H

will be reflected without phase reversal.

The magnitudes of E

and H

are related by
i r
i r
E E
H H
)
For the incident wave, the wave expression for the magnetic field strength would be
( ) sin cos j y z
i nci dent i
H H e
| 0 0

and for the reflected wave,

( ) sin cos j y z
ref lect ed r
H H e
| 0 0 -

Therefore H
i
= H
r
The total magnetic field H is,
2 cos
cos
sin
y
j y
i z
z
y
H H z e
w h ere
a nd
|
|
| | 0
| | 0

The magnetic field strength has a standing wave distribution in the Z-direction with the planes of
maximum H located at the conducting surface and at multiples of
2
z

from the surface. The

planes of zero magnetic field strength occur at odd multiples of
4
z

from the surface.

For the incident wave,
, sin ; cos
i i z i y i
E H E H E H ) ) 0 ) 0
For the reflected wave,
, sin ; cos
r i z r y r
H H E H E H ) 0 ) 0
The total z component of the electric field strength is,
2 s i n c o s
y
j y
x i z
E H z e
|
) 0 |

The total y component of the electric field strength is,

2 c o s s i n
y
j y
y i z
E j H z e
|
) 0 |

Both E
y
and E
z
have a standing wave distribution above the reflecting surface. However, for the
normal or z components of E

, the maxima occur at the plane and multiples of

2
z

from the
49
plane, whereas for the component E

parallel to the reflecting surface the minima occur at the

plane and at multiples of
2
z

from the plane.

REFLECTION BY PERFECT DIELECTRICS
Normal incidence:
In this case part of the energy is transmitted and part of the energy is reflected.
Perfect dielectric:o = 0. no absorption or loss of power in propagation through the dielectric.
Boundary is parallel to the x = 0 plane.
Plane wave traveling in +x direction is incident on it.
We have,
1
1
2
i r
r r
t t
E H
E H
E H
)
)
)

BC: Tang comp. Of E or H

is continuous across the boundary.
ie.,
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
1 2
2 1
2 1 2 1
2 1
2 1
1
1 2
1 2
1 2
1 1
2 1 2
1 1
2
, 1
,
2
i r z
i r t
i r i r z i r
i r i r
i r
r
i
t i r r
i i
r r
t
t t
i i
H H H
E E E
H H E E H E E
E E E E
E E
E
E
E E E E
Also
c E E
H E
F u rt h er
H E
H E
H E
) )
) )
) ) ) )
) )
) )
)
) )
) )
) )
) )
) ) )
-
-
. - -
-
-

.
-
-
-
-

-

-
50
The permeabilities of all known insulators do not differ appreciably from that of free space, so
that,
1 2
0 2 0 1 1 2
0 2 0 1 1 2
1
1 2
2 1
2 1
2
1 2
/ /
/ /
2
2
r
i
t
i
r
i
t
i
E
E
E
E
H
H
H
H
v
, , ,
, ,
, ,

. . . .
.
. - . . - .
.

. - .
. .

. - .
.

. - .
REFLECTION BY PERFECT DIELECTRIC:
OBLIQUE INCIDENCE:
1. There is a transmitted wave, reflected wave and the incident wave.
2. The transmitted wave is refracted 9direction of propagation is altered)
1
v ______ vel. Of wave in medium (1)
2
v ______ vel. Of wave in medium (2)
Then from figure, we get
1
2
CB
AD
v
v

Now CB = AB sinu
1
and AD = AB sinu
2
.
2 2
1 1 2
2 2 1
1 1
sin
sin
,
0 v
0 v
,
.
.
.
.
.
In addition,
AE = CB
sinu
1
= sinu
3
or u
1
= u
3
The power transmitted =
2
E
)
E and H are perpendicular to each other.
51
Incident power striking AB
2
1 1
1
1
c o s E o 0
)
Reflected power leaving AB
2
2 1
2
1
co s E o 0
)
The power transmitted =
2
2
2
1
cos
t
E 0
)
.
Therefore by conservation of energy we get
2 2 2
1 1 2
1 1 2
2 2
2 1
2 2
2 1
2
2 2
2
1
1
1 1 1
cos cos cos
cos
1
cos
cos
1
cos
t t t
t r
t i
t
i
E E E
E E
E E
E
E
0 0 0
) ) )
0 )
) 0
0
0
-

.

.
Case 1:
Perpendicular polarization (HP):
( E

is perpendicular to the plane of incidence parallel to the reflecting surface)

Let E
i
propagate along +x direction, so as the direction of E
r
and E
t
.
According to BCs. E
tan
and H
tan
are continuous. Across the boundary.
i
r
i
t
t r i
E
E
E
E
E E E
- .
- .
1
But we have,
2 2 1 1
2 2 1 1
1
2
1
2
1
2
2
1
2
2
2
1
2
2
1
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
cos cos
cos cos
cos
cos
1 1
cos
cos
1 1
cos
cos
1 1
cos
cos
1
0 0
0 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
. - .
. .
=

-
.
.
.

-
.
.
.

-
.
.

.
.

i
r
i
r
i
r
i
r
i
r
i
r
i
r
i
t
i
r
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
52
But we have,
( )
1
2
1
2
1
1
2
1
2
1
1
2
1 2 1 1
1
2
1 2 1 1
1
2
1 2 2
2
2 2 2
1
2
2
1
sin cos
sin cos
sin cos
sin cos
sin sin 1 cos
sin
sin
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0
0

.
.
-

.
.

. . - .
. . .
.
. . . .
.
.

i
r
E
E
This equation gives the ratio of the reflected to incident electric field strength for the case of a
perpendicular polarized wave.
.
Case II:
Parallel Polarisation:
Here E

is parallel to the plane of incidence.

H

is parallel to the reflecting surface.

The BCs on tangential components give
H
tan
= E
tan
is continuous across the boundary.
Therefore this BC when applied, we get
( )
2
1
2 1
cos
cos
1
cos cos
0
0
0 0

.

i
r
i
t
t r i
E
E
E
E
E E E
53
But we already have
( )
( )
2
2
1 1 2
2
2
1 1 2
2 1 1 2
2 1 1 2
2
1
1
2
2
1
1
2
2
1
1
2
2
1
2
2
1
2
2
2
1
2
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
sin 1 cos
sin 1 cos
cos cos
cos cos
1
cos
cos
cos
cos
1
cos
cos
1 1
cos
cos
1 1
cos
cos
cos
cos
1 1
cos
cos
1
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
. - .
. .

. - .
. .

.
.

.
.
-

.
.
-

.
.
.
-

.
.
.
.
.

i
r
i
r
i
r
i
r
i
r
i
r
i
r
i
r
i
t
i
r
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
But from Snells law we get
1
2
2 1 2
2
sin / sin 0 0 . .
Therefore we get
( )( )
( )( )
1
2
1
2
1 1 2
1
2
1
2
1 1 2
sin cos /
sin cos /
0 0
0 0

.
.
- . .

.
.
. .

i
r
E
E
This equation gives the reflection coefficient for parallel or vertical polarization, ie., the ratio of
reflected to incident electric field strength when E

is parallel to the plane of incidence.

54
BRESNSTER ANGLE:
We have
( )( )
( )( )
1
2
1
2
1 1 2
1
2
1
2
1 1 2
sin cos /
sin cos /
0 0
0 0

.
.
- . .

.
.
. .

i
r
E
E
When N
r
= 0, E
r
= 0.
Therefore no reflection at all.
Therefore for zero reflection condition, we have,
( ) ( )
( )( ) ( )
1
2
1
2 1
1
1
2
2 1
2
1
2
2 1 2 1
2
2 1 2 1
2 1 2 1
2 2
2
2
1
1
2 2
1 2 1 1
2 2
2
2
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
2
1
2
2
2
1
2
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
2
1
2
2
1
2
1
2
1
1
2
tan
cos
sin
sin
sin
sin sin
sin sin
sin cos
sin cos
.
.

. - .
.
.
. - .
.
.
. . . . . . - .
. . . . .
. . . . .

.
.

.
.

.
.

.
.

.
.

.
.

.
.
0
0
0
0
0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
At this angle, which is called the Bresoster angle, there is no reflected wave when the incident
wave is parallel (or vertically) polarized. If the incident wave is not entirely parallel polarized,
there will he some reflection, but the reflected wave is entirely of perpendicular (or horizontal)
polarization.
55
Note:1
For perpendicular paolarisation, we have
1 2
1
2
1 2 1
2
1
2
1 2 1
1
2
1 2 1
1
2
1 2 1
sin / cos
sin / cos
, 0
sin / cos
sin / cos
. .
. .
. .

. . -
. .

or
g et w e N pu tti ng
E
E
r
i
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
ie., there is no corresponding Bresvster angle for this polarization.
Note 2:
For parallel polarization,
We can show that
( )
( )
2 1
2 1
tan
tan
0 0
0 0
-

i
r
E
E
and for perpendicular polarization, we can show that,
( )
( )
1 2
1 2
sin
sin
0 0
0 0
-

i
r
E
E
TOTAL INTERNAL REFLECTION:
If
2 1
>. . , then, both the reflection coefficients given by equations,
1
2
1
2
1
1
2
1
2
1
sin cos
sin cos
0 0
0 0

.
.
-

.
.

i
r
E
E
( perpendicular polarization )
and
1
2
1
2
1 1 2
1
2
1
2
1 1 2
sin cos /
sin cos /
0 0
0 0

.
.
- . .

.
.
. .

i
r
E
E
( parallel polarization )
become complex numbers when,
1
2
1
sin
.
.
> 0
56
Both coefficients take the form

-
jb a
jb a
and thus have a unit magnitude. In other words, the
reflection is total provided that
1
0 is great enough and also provided that medium (1) is denser
than medium. (2) but total reflection does not imply that there is no field in medium (2). In
medium (2), the fields have the form,
( )
2 2 2
cos sin 0 0 | Z y j
e

Snells law gives the y variation as,
2 1 2
/ . . y j
e
|
And the Z variation as,
( )
1 sin
1 sin
sin 1
cos
1
2
2
1
2
1
2
2
1
2
2
2
2
2 2

.
.

.
.
t

t
-

0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Z
j Z j
Z j
Z j
e
e
e e

In the above expression, the lower sign must be chosen such that the fields decrease
exponentially as Z becomes increasingly negative.
ie.,
2
2
1
2
2
1
1
2
2
1
2
sin 1 sin cos
.
.

.
.

.
.
0 0 0 j j
Therefore under the condition of TIR, a field does exist in the rarer medium. However, this field
has a phase progression along the boundary and decreases exponentially away from it. If is thus
the example of a non-uniform plane wave.
The phase velocity along the interface is given by ,
1
2
1
2
sin 0
u
|
.
.
Which, under the conditions of TIR is less than the phase velocity
2
|
u
of a UPW in medium (2).
Consequently, the non-uniform plane wave in medium (2) is a slow wave. Also, since some kind
of a surface between two media is necessary to support this wave, it is called a surface wave.
.
57