Theory of Circular (Cylindrical) waveguides

Bessel equations and Bessel Functions:

A Bessel equation is a partial differential equation of the form
 2 f ( x) 1  f ( x)  n 2 
  1  2  f ( x)  0 (1)
2x x x  x 
Where n is integer. It defines the order of the solution.
It is a second order differential equation and has very complex solution.
It is used to solve problems related to some of the physical systems like cylindrical wave guides.
The solutions of eq.(1) are known as Bessel functions
It has two possible general solutions Jn(x) and Nn(x).
Jn(x) is called as Bessel function of first kind and order n.
Nn(x) is known as Bessel function of second kind and order n. It is also called Neumann
function. In these n is an integer.
Fig. 1(a) and Fig. 1(b) depicts Jn(x) and Nn(x) graphically.
The Complete general solution of eq. (1) is
f ( x)  A J n ( x)  B N n ( x ) (2)
For n = 0 we have
f ( x)  A J 0 ( x)  B N 0 ( x)
 1 
2r

  x  

 r 2  
J 0 ( x)  C1   ( 1) 
(3)
r 0

r!2

 
 
 1 
2r

  x 
2   x  2 
 r 2   1 1 1
N 0 ( x)  ln      J 0 ( x) 
  2  
  (1)
r!2  1  2  3  ....  r 
(4)
r 1
  
 
 
For very large values of x, both Jn(x) and Nn(x) approach sinusoidal functions. As J0(x) and N0(x) can be
expressed as
2  
J 0 ( x)  Cos  x   (5)
x  4
2  
N 0 ( x)  Cos  x   (6)
x  4

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 Theory of Circular (Cylindrical) waveguides

Fig. 1(a): Plot of Bessel Functions of First kind and order n (Jn(x))

Fig. 1(b): Plot of Bessel Functions of second kind of order n)[Neumann Functions Nn(x]

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 Theory of Circular (Cylindrical) waveguides

Cylindrical waveguide
Consider a perfectly conducting hallow cylindrical waveguide of radius ‘a’ filled with a lossless
dielectric material having permittivity 𝜀 and permeability 𝜇 as shown.

Y Z

o x
a

Maxwell equations for harmonically varying fields in a source free lossless dielectric medium
are expressed as
  H  j  E (7)
  E   j  H (8)
. D  0 (9)
. B  0 (10)
Also D  E (11)
B  H (12)
JE (13)
Taking curl of (8) and substituting (12) we get
    E   j  (  H )
(  . E )   2 E   j  ( j   E )
 . D 
    E    E
2 2

  
2 E    2   E (14)
Similarly one can derive
2 H    2   H (15)
Eqs. (14) And (15) represent three dimensional electromagnetic wave equations.
Assuming that the electromagnetic wave is propagating along z-direction
Then the eq. (14) for z-component of electric field can be expressed as
 2 Ez    2   Ez

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 Theory of Circular (Cylindrical) waveguides

In cylindrical co-ordinate system this can be expressed as

2 1  1 2 2
Ez  Ez  2 E z  2 EZ    2   E z (16)
 2
    2
z
This is a second order partial differential equation which can be solved by using variable
separable method. Ez is a function of ρ, ϕ, z and t i.e.
E z  F (  ,  , z, t )
Let Ez  F (  ) F (  ) F ( z ) e j  t (17)
 
Hence Ez  F (  ) F ( z ) e j  t F(  ) (18)
 
2 jt 
2
E  F (  ) F ( z ) e F(  ) (19)
 2  2
z

2 j t 
2
E  F (  ) F ( z ) e F ( ) (20)
 2  2
z

2 j t 
2
Similarly EZ  F (  ) F (  ) e F( z ) (21)
 z2  2
Substituting (17), (18), (19), (20) and (21) in (16) and rearranging we get

1 2 1  1 1 2 1 2
F (  )  F (  )  F ( )  F ( z)    2  
F ( )   2
 F ( )    F ( )  
2 2
F ( z)  z 2

1 2
Let F ( )   n 2
F ( )   2

1 2
And F ( z)   2
F ( z)  z 2
1 2 1  n2
Therefore F (  )  F (  )    2
    2

F ( )   2  F ( )   2
2
Or F ( )  n 2 F ( )  0 (22)
 2

2
F ( z)   2 F ( z)  0 (23)
z 2

2 1   2 n2 
F (  )  F (  )   k   2  F (  )  0
 2     
Replacing ρ by kρρ we get
2 1   n 2 
F ( k  )  F ( k  )   1  F (k   )  0 (24)
 (k   ) 2

(k   )  (k   )
  (k  ) 2 
  
Where k 2   2     2
The general solutions for (22) and (23) are

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 Theory of Circular (Cylindrical) waveguides

F ( )  An Cos n  Bn Sin n
F ( z )  e z
The eq. (24) is a Bessel equation and its general solution can be expressed as
F (k   )  J n (k   )  N n (k   )
Since Nn(kρ ρ) is infinite at (hρ ρ) = 0, therefore it cannot be the part of general solution for a
source free conditions.
Hence F (k   )  J n (k   )
Thus the complete solution of eq. (16) is
Ez  J n (k   )( An Cos n  Bn Sin n ) e z  j  t (25)
Similarly one can arrive at a solution for Hz as
H z  J n (k   )(Cn Cos n  Dn Sin n ) e  z  j  t (26)
The other field components like Eρ, Eϕ, Hρ and Hϕ can be derived in terms of Ez and Hz as
follows
In cylindrical co-ordinates Maxwell curl equations can be expressed as
1 1 
 u u u
 
 z
 
   
 H    j   E  u   E u  E z u z 
   z 
 H   H H z 
 
 
1 1 
  u u u
 z
 
   
 E    j   H  u   H  u  H z u z 
   z 
 E  E H z 
 
 
1  
Or Hz  H   j   E (27A)
  z
 
H  H z  j   E (27B)
z 
1  1 
( H  )  H   j   Ez (27C)
   
1  
Ez  E  j   H  (27D)
  z
 
E  Ez  j   H (27E)
z 
1  1 
( E )  E  j   H z (27F)
   

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 Theory of Circular (Cylindrical) waveguides

Multiplying (27A) by -jωu we get

 j   
Hz  ( j  H  )   2   E
  z
Substituting (23E) we have
 j      
Hz   E  E z    2   E
   z  z  
 j   2  
Or H z  2 E  E z   2   E
  z  z
Since each field component is a function of e-γz we have
 2
Ez    Ez And E   2 E
z z 2

 j   
Hence we have H z   2 E   E z   2   E
  
 j   
Or
 
Hz 

 
E z   2     2 E  k 2 E

 j    
Thus E  Hz  2 Ez (28A)
 k  
2
k  
j    
Similarly E  Hz  E (28B)
k  
2
 k 2  z
  j 
H  Hz  E (28C)
k  
2
k 2  z
  j 
H  Hz  2 Ez (28D)
 k  
2
k  
Various cases arise
Case I: Ez= 0 and Hz =0. This refers to TEM mode of propagation.
In this case all other field components also vanish, hence TEM modes of wave propagation are
not supported by cylindrical waveguides.
Case II: Ez ≠ 0 , Hz = 0 ; This refers to transverse Magnetic (TM) mode of propagation. In this
case the field components are given by
Ez  J n (k 2  )( An Cos n  Bn Sin n ) e z  j  t (29A)
Hz 0 (29B)
 
E   Ez (29C)
k 2 
 
Similarly E   E (29D)
 k 2  z
j 
H   E (29E)
k 2  z

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 Theory of Circular (Cylindrical) waveguides

j 
H   Ez (29F)
k 2 
Applying boundary conditions which state that Ez = 0 at ρ = a i.e. Ez at surface vanishes.
Ez  J n (k  a)( An Cos n  Bn Sin n ) e z  j  t  0
Or J n ( k  a)  0 (30)
The roots of (30) describe the different TM modes in a cylindrical waveguide. If ξnm is the mth
root of (30) then

k   nm  hnm
a
Where n denotes the order of Bessel function and m is the mth root. The corresponding mode is
designated as TMnm mode. The first few roots of (30) are given in table 1 below

Table1: Roots of Jn(kρρ)

m n
0 1 2 3 4 5
1 2.405 3.823 5.136 6.380 7.588 8.771
2 5.520 7.016 8.417 9.761 11.065 12.339
3 8.654 10.173 11.620 13.015 14.732
4 11.792 13.324 14.796

From the table the lowest root of eq. (30) is 2.405 for n=0 and m=1. Hence TM01 is the lowest
possible TM mode in a cylindrical waveguides. However it does not qualify as the dominant
mode of wave propagation in cylindrical waveguides.

Cutoff frequency for TMnm mode

It is the frequency below which no propagation occurs. At this frequency the propagation
constant γ = 0. If fC is the cut-off frequency of TMnm mode, then
Since hnm2   2     2
  hnm2
2  
Or
At cutoff frequency fc the propagation constant γ = 0
 c    0
2 2
hnm (31)
Or
hnm  nm
fC   (32)
Hence 2   2   a
 nm u p
fC  (33)
2 a
Where up is the phase velocity of wave in an unbounded lossless medium with parameters 𝜇 and
𝜀.
The cutoff wavelength λC is given by
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 Theory of Circular (Cylindrical) waveguides

up 2 a
C   (34)
fC  nm
Phase velocity of TM wave inside the guide (ug)
The propagation of EM wave occurs through the guide if f > fC. In such situation the value of
propagation constant γ is imaginary i.e.
  j  hnm
2
2  
   2    hnm 2
Or
The phase velocity inside the guide is
  1
ug   
     hnm
2 2 2
hnm
 
2
1 1
ug  
 
2
f 
2
  c
  1   c 
2  f 
uP
ug  (35)
2
f 
1   c 
 f 
The wavelength inside the guide is given by
u
g  g (36)
f
Intrinsic impedance of TM modes
The intrinsic impedance of TM wave is defined as
E E
TM     
H H

 j  2    hnm
2
TM   
j j 
 2    c 2  
2
 f 
TM   1   c 
   f 
2
f 
TM   1   c  (37)
 f 
Where η is the intrinsic impedance of unbounded lossless medium with features 𝜇 and 𝜀.
Case III: Ez = 0 , Hz ≠ 0; This refers to transverse electric (TE) mode of propagation. In this
case other field components are given by
Ez  0 (38A)

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 Theory of Circular (Cylindrical) waveguides

H z  J n (k   )(Cn Cos n  Dn Sin n ) e z  j  t (38B)

 j  
E  H (38C)
 k 2   z
j  
Similarly E  Hz (38D)
k 2  
 
H  Hz (38E)
k 2  
 
H  H (38F)
 k 2   z
Applying boundary conditions according to which Eρ = 0 at ϕ = 0 and Eϕ = 0 at ρ = a.
From eq. (38C) we have
j   j 
E   Hz   J n (k   ) n C n Sin n  Dn Cos n   e   z  j t
 k  
2
h 2

Since Eρ = 0 at ϕ=0
j 
Hence  J n (k   ) n  Dn  e   z  j t  0
 k2

This implies Dn= 0

Thus H z  J n (k   )Cn Cos n e z  j  t (39)
Again from eq. (38D) we have
j   j 
E  2 H z  2 J n/ (k   )Cn Cos n e   z  j  t  0
k   k
From boundary conditions Eϕ=0 at ρ = a
This implies J n/ (k  a)  0 (40)
The roots of Eq. (35) give the different TE modes.
If τnm represent the root of (40), then

k   nm  hnm
a
Where n denotes the order of derivative of Bessel function and m is the mth root. The
corresponding mode is designated as TEnm mode. The first few roots of (40) are given in
following table 2.
՜Table 2: Roots of derivative of Jn(kρρ)
m n
0 1 2 3 4 5
1 3.832 1.841 3.054 4.201 5.317 6.416
2 7.016 5.331 6.706 7.015 9.282 10.520
3 10.173 8.536 9.969 11.346 12.682 13.987
4 13.324 11.706 13.170

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 Theory of Circular (Cylindrical) waveguides

From the table, the lowest root of eq. (35) is 1.841. This corresponds to n=1 and m=1. This value
gives TE11 mode. TE11 mode will result in the lowest cut-off frequency. Hence TE11 is the
dominant mode for cylindrical waveguides.

Cutoff frequency for TEnm mode

Since hnm   2     2
  hnm
2
2  
Or
At cutoff frequency fc, γ = 0
hnm  nm
fC   (41)
Hence 2   2   a
 nm u P
fC  (42)
2 a
up is the phase velocity of wave in an unbounded lossless medium with parameters 𝜇 and 𝜀.
The cutoff wavelength λC is given by
u 2 a
C  P  (43)
fC  nm
Phase velocity of TE wave inside the guide (ug)
The propagation of TE wave occurs through the guide if f > fC. In this case the value of
propagation constant γ is imaginary i.e.
  j  hnm
2
2  

   2    hnm
2

The phase velocity inside the guide is

  1
ug   
  2    hnm
2 2
hnm
 
2
1 1
ug   (44)
2   f 
2
  c 2   1   c 
  f 
u /p
ug  (45)
2
f 
1   c 
 f 
The wavelength inside the guide is given by
u
g  g
f
Intrinsic impedance of TE modes
The intrinsic impedance is defined as

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 Theory of Circular (Cylindrical) waveguides

E E
TE  
H H
j  j  
TE   
 j     hnm
2 2


 
TE  
 2    c 2   f 
2

1   c 
 f 

TE  (46)
2
 fc 
1   
 f 
Where η is the intrinsic impedance of unbounded lossless medium with features 𝜇 and 𝜀.
From (37) and (46) we have
  TE TM (47)

Tutorial Exercise
(1) A copper tube of length 10cm and diameter 1cm is used as a waveguide. Determine the
cutoff frequency for TM11, TM12, TM21, TE11, TE22 modes of wave propagation. Also
calculate the corresponding cut-off wavelengths.
Sol: Length of copper tube = 10cm = 0.1m
Diameter of copper tube = 1cm = 0.01m
Radius of copper tube = ½ cm= 0.5cm = 0.005m (a)
(i) For TM11 mode of propagation from Table 1 we have
kρa = ξ11 = 3. 823
Therefore h11 = 3.823/a = 3.823/0.005
h11 = 764.6
Cut-off frequency for TM11 mode is
h11 u p 764.6  (3108 )
fC  
2 2 =
=36.507GHz.
Corresponding cut-off wavelength is
u 2  a 2
C  P  
fC 11 h11
= (2 x 3.143)/764.6 =0.00822m
Similarly one can find for other modes.
Hint: for TM modes use Table 1 and for TE modes use Table 2 values.

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