NUS/ECE EE2011

Plane Wave Propagation in Lossy Media

1 Plane Waves in Lossy Media
In a lossy medium, J = σE, ρ ≠ 0, σ ≠ 0.
Maxwell’s equations: Usually,if damping loss is small :
ε ' = ε 0ε r
∇ × E = - jωμH
⎛ σ ⎞
∇ × H = σE + jωD = jω⎜⎜ ε '+ ⎟⎟E = jωε c E
⎝ jω ⎠

σ ⎛ σ ⎞
ε c = ε ' − j = ε ' ⎜1 − j ⎟ = complex permittivity
ω ⎝ ωε ' ⎠
Hon Tat Hui
1 Plane Wave Propagation in Lossy Media
NUS/ECE EE2011

σ
= loss tangent = tanδ c
ωε '
The complex permittivity can be written as:
ε c = ε 0ε rc
⎛ σ ⎞
ε rc = ⎜⎜ ε ' r − j ⎟⎟ = complex relative permittivity
⎝ ωε 0 ⎠
Current terms: Usually ε ' = ε
r r

σE = conduction current
jωD = jωε ' E = displacement current
Note that conduction current and displacement current
are out of phase by π/2.
Hon Tat Hui
2 Plane Wave Propagation in Lossy Media
NUS/ECE EE2011

Helmholtz’s equation:

∇ 2E + kc2E = 0

kc = ω με c
a complex number

By replacing k with kc, all the previous results derived

for lossless media are applicable to lossy media. But
since kc is a complex number, the plane wave will
experience loss when it propagates.

Hon Tat Hui

3 Plane Wave Propagation in Lossy Media
NUS/ECE EE2011

The solutions for the Helmholtz equation in lossy media

are same as those for lossless media if k is replaced by kc.
E x ( z ) = E0± e ∓ jkc z
= E0± e ∓γz
= E0± e −αz e ∓ jβz
where γ = jkc = α + jβ
= complex propagation constant.

Note that solutions with the +α constant have been

discarded as they imply waves with increasing
amplitudes which is impossible.
Hon Tat Hui
4 Plane Wave Propagation in Lossy Media
NUS/ECE EE2011

α = attenuation constant
⎛
με ' ⎜ ⎛ σ ⎞
2 ⎞
=ω 1+ ⎜ ⎟ − 1⎟ (Np/m)
2 ⎜ ⎝ ωε ' ⎠ ⎟
⎝ ⎠

β = propagation constant
⎛
με ' ⎜ ⎛ σ ⎞
2 ⎞
=ω 1+ ⎜ ⎟ + 1 ⎟ (rad/m)
2 ⎜ ⎝ ωε ' ⎠ ⎟
⎝ ⎠

Hon Tat Hui

5 Plane Wave Propagation in Lossy Media
NUS/ECE EE2011

As in the lossless case, the general form of a plane wave

in a lossy medium is:
jφ − jk c (kˆ c ⋅r )
E = E0e − jk c ⋅r
= eˆ E0 e e k c = kcx xˆ + kcy yˆ + kcz zˆ = kc kˆ c
r = xxˆ + yyˆ + zzˆ
ˆ E0 jφ − jkc ( kˆ c ⋅r )
H = H0e − jk c ⋅r
=h e e φ = initial phase
ηc
E ⊥ H ⊥ kc kˆ c = eˆ × hˆ

1 ˆ hˆ = kˆ × eˆ
c
H = k c × E, E = η c H × kˆ c
ηc eˆ = hˆ × kˆ c

ηc = complex intrinsic impedance

μ
= = ηr + jηi
εc
Hon Tat Hui
6 Plane Wave Propagation in Lossy Media
NUS/ECE EE2011

The real and imaginary parts of ηc can be derived as:

⎛ 2 ⎞
⎜ ⎛ σ ⎞ ⎟
1+ ⎜ ⎟ +1 ⎟
μ0 1 ⎜ ⎝ ωε ' ⎠
ηr = ⎜ ⎟ Ω
ε0 2ε ' r ⎜ ⎛ σ ⎞
2
⎟
⎜⎜ 1+ ⎜ ⎟ ⎟
⎝ ωε ' ⎠ ⎟
⎝ ⎠
⎛ 2 ⎞
⎜ ⎛ σ ⎞ ⎟
1+ ⎜ ⎟ −1 ⎟
μ0 1 ⎜ ⎝ ωε ' ⎠
ηi = ⎜ ⎟ Ω
ε0 2ε ' r ⎜ ⎛ σ ⎞
2
⎟
⎜⎜ 1+ ⎜ ⎟ ⎟
⎝ ωε ' ⎠ ⎟ ηc = ηr + jηi
⎝ ⎠
Hon Tat Hui
7 Plane Wave Propagation in Lossy Media
NUS/ECE EE2011

2 Approximation Analysis for Two Special Cases

The formulas for kc and ηc are complicated. For some

special cases depending on the loss tangent σ/ωε’,
approximation formulas can be derived. We study two
special cases in which the loss tangent is either much
greater than 1 or much smaller than 1.

σ
>> 1 ⇒ a good conductor
ωε '
σ
<< 1 ⇒ a low - loss dielectric
ωε '
Hon Tat Hui
8 Plane Wave Propagation in Lossy Media
NUS/ECE EE2011

2.1 Good conductors

Condition:
σ ⎛ σ ⎞
loss tangent = >> 1 ⎜ for example > 100 ⎟
ωε ' ⎝ ωε ' ⎠

Then,
γ = α + jβ ≈ (1 + j ) πfμσ

α = β ≈ πfμσ

μ α
ηc = ≈ (1 + j )
εc σ
Hon Tat Hui
9 Plane Wave Propagation in Lossy Media
NUS/ECE EE2011

In a good conductor, the intrinsic impedance ηc is a

complex number, meaning that the electric and
magnetic fields are not in phase as in the case of a
lossless medium.

ω 2ω
u p = phase velocity = ≈
β μσ

2π2π π
λ = wavelength = ≈ =2
β πfμσ fμσ

Note that H is still ⊥ to E as shown on next page.

Hon Tat Hui
10 Plane Wave Propagation in Lossy Media
NUS/ECE EE2011

H and E inside a good conductor

See animation “Plane Wave Simulator”
Hon Tat Hui
11 Plane Wave Propagation in Lossy Media
NUS/ECE EE2011

In a good conductor, because of the attenuation

constant α, the wave amplitude becomes smaller when
it propagates. The distance δ through which the
amplitude of a travelling plane wave decreases by a
factor of e-1 = 0.368 = 36.8% is called the skin depth
or depth of penetration of the conductor.

Field amplitude
E0

E0e-1

z
0 δ 2δ …….

Hon Tat Hui

12 Plane Wave Propagation in Lossy Media
NUS/ECE EE2011

Ex (z = δ ) E0+ e −αδ e − jβδ

= = e −αδ = e −1
Ex (z = 0 ) E0+

αδ = 1
1
δ=
α
For copper, σ = 5.8 × 107 S/m and μr = 1.

−2 at 60Hz, δ = 8.5 × 10-3 m

1 6.61 × 10
2
δ= = = at 1MHz, δ =6.6 × 10-5 m
α ωμ0 μ rσ f at 30GHz, δ = 3.8 × 10-7 m

Hon Tat Hui

13 Plane Wave Propagation in Lossy Media
NUS/ECE EE2011

Skin depth of some common materials

Hon Tat Hui

14 Plane Wave Propagation in Lossy Media
NUS/ECE EE2011

2.2 Low-loss dielectrics

1/ 2
⎛ σ ⎞
γ = α + jβ = jkc = jω με ' ⎜1 − j ⎟
⎝ ωε ' ⎠
Condition:
σ Binomial expansion (when x << 1) :
loss tangent = << 1
ωε ' (1 + x )n ≈ 1 + nx + 1 n(n − 1)x 2 +
2
⎛ σ ⎞
⎜ for example ≤ 0.01⎟
⎝ ωε ' ⎠
⎡ ε '' 1 ⎛ ε '' ⎞ ⎤
2

Then, γ ≈ jω με ' ⎢1 − j + ⎜ ⎟ ⎥
⎢⎣ 2ε ' 8 ⎝ ε ' ⎠ ⎥⎦

σ ε '' σ
ε '' = , = = loss tangent
ω ε ' ωε '
Hon Tat Hui
15 Plane Wave Propagation in Lossy Media
NUS/ECE EE2011

Hence,

ωε ' ' μ ⎡ 1 ⎛ ε' ' ⎞2 ⎤

α≈ , β ≈ ω με ' ⎢1 + ⎜ ⎟ ⎥
2 ε' ⎢⎣ 8 ⎝ ε ' ⎠ ⎥⎦

μ⎛ ε' ' ⎞
ηc ≈ ⎜1 + j ⎟
ε' ⎝ 2ε ' ⎠

ω 1 ⎡ 1 ⎛ ε' ' ⎞ ⎤
2

up = ≈ ⎢1 − ⎜ ⎟ ⎥
β με ' ⎢⎣ 8 ⎝ ε ' ⎠ ⎥⎦

Hon Tat Hui

16 Plane Wave Propagation in Lossy Media
NUS/ECE EE2011

2π 1 ⎡ 1 ⎛ ε' ' ⎞ ⎤
2

λ = wavelength = ≈ ⎢1 − ⎜ ⎟ ⎥
β f με' ⎢⎣ 8 ⎝ ε ' ⎠ ⎥⎦

A skin depth δ can be similarly defined as in the good

conductor case:

1 2 ε 0ε r
δ= =
α σ μ0 μ r

Hon Tat Hui

17 Plane Wave Propagation in Lossy Media
NUS/ECE EE2011

Example 1
The electric field intensity of a linearly polarised uniform
plane wave propagating in the +z direction in seawater is
E = xˆ 100cos(107 πt ) at z = 0. The constitutive parameters of
seawater are εr = 72, μr = 1, and σ = 4 S/m.
(a) Determine the attenuation constant, intrinsic impedance,
phase velocity, wavelength, and skin depth.
(b) Write expressions for H(z,t) and E(z,t).
(c) Find the distance z1 at which the amplitude of the
electric field is 1% of its value at z = 0.
(d) Compute the skin depth at a frequency of 1 GHz.

Hon Tat Hui

18 Plane Wave Propagation in Lossy Media
NUS/ECE EE2011

Solutions
(a) ω = 10 7 π rad/s ⇒ f = 5×106 Hz
σ
Here ≈ 200 >> 1 . We may therefore approximate
ωε’
seawater as a good conductor at this frequency.
α = β = π f μ r μ 0 σ = 8.89 Np/m or rad/m
πfμ r μ0 π
ηc = (1 + j ) = (1 + j ) = π e jπ / 4 Ω
σ 2
ω 2π
u p = = 3.53 × 106 m/s λ= = 0.707 m
β β
δ = 1/ α = 0.112 m
Hon Tat Hui
19 Plane Wave Propagation in Lossy Media
NUS/ECE EE2011

(b) Phasor fields: eˆ = unit vector of E(r )

jφ − jkc ( kˆ c ⋅r )
In a lossy medium, E(r ) = eˆ E0e e
jφ −α ( kˆ c ⋅r ) − jβ ( kˆ c ⋅r )
= eˆ E0e e e
Here, eˆ = xˆ , φ = 0, E0 = 100, α = β = 8.89, kˆ c ⋅ r = z
Therefore,
E( z ) = xˆ 100 e −8.89 z e − j 8.89 z
1 ˆ
H (r ) = k c × E
ηc
100 −8.89 z − j 8.89 z 100 −8.89 z − j (8.89 z +π / 4 )
⇒ H ( z ) = yˆ jπ / 4
e e = yˆ e e
πe π
Hon Tat Hui
20 Plane Wave Propagation in Lossy Media
NUS/ECE EE2011

Instantaneous fields:
[
E( z , t ) = Re E( z ) e jωt ]
[
= Re xˆ 100 e −8.89 z
e − j 8.89 z
e j107 π t
]
= xˆ 100 e −8.89 z cos(107 π t − 8.89 z )
[
H( z , t ) = Re H( z ) e jωt ]
⎡ 100 −8.89 z − j ( 8.89 z +π / 4 ) j107 π t ⎤
= Re ⎢ yˆ e e e ⎥⎦
⎣ π
100 −8.89 z
= yˆ e cos(107 π t − 8.89 z − π / 4)
π
(b) exp (− αz1 ) = 0.01 ⇒ z1 = 0.518 m
Hon Tat Hui
21 Plane Wave Propagation in Lossy Media
NUS/ECE EE2011

ω = 2π × 109 , σ = 4, μ = μ0 = 4π × 10−7 , ε ' = ε 0ε r = 8.854 × 10−12 × 72

Using the general formulas for α and β on page 5, we have :

⎛
με ' ⎜ ⎛ σ ⎞
2 ⎞
∴α = ω 1+ ⎜ ⎟ − 1⎟ = 80.837 (Np/m)
2 ⎜ ⎝ ωε ' ⎠ ⎟
⎝ ⎠
⎛
με ' ⎜ ⎛ σ ⎞
2 ⎞
β =ω 1+ ⎜ ⎟ + 1⎟ = 195.35 (rad/m)
2 ⎜ ⎝ ωε ' ⎠ ⎟
⎝ ⎠

Hence at 1 GHz, α = 80.837 Np/m and δ = 1/α = 12.37 mm.

Hon Tat Hui
22 Plane Wave Propagation in Lossy Media
NUS/ECE EE2011

3 Power Flow and Poynting Vector

The cross product of E and H has the dimension of power
per unit area. It is called the Poynting vector, S and it
represents the power carried by the electromagnetic field
through a unit area (see Note 1* below). The direction of
the Poynting vector indicates the direction of power flow.
Instantaneous Poynting vector:
S = E( x , y , z , t ) × H ( x , y , z , t )
= Re{E( x, y , z )e jωt }× Re{H ( x, y , z )e jωt } (W/m 2 )

(*Note 1: for a rigorous derivation of the Poynting vector, pls see Intensive Reading notes, section 2.5.)
Hon Tat Hui
23 Plane Wave Propagation in Lossy Media
NUS/ECE EE2011

Average Poynting vector (see Intensive Reading notes, section 2.5):

{ }
T 2
1 1
S av = lim
T →∞ T ∫ S dt = Re E ( x , y , z ) × H ( x , y , z )*
(W/m 2
)
−T 2
2
The magnitude of Sav gives the average power density
(per unit area) of the EM wave.
Vector magnitude, not absolute value
3.1 In a lossless medium
1
Pav = Sav = Re {E × H*} 1ˆ
2 H = k×E
η
1 2 η 2
= E0 = H 0 (W/m 2 ) E = ηH × kˆ
2η 2
Hon Tat Hui
24 Plane Wave Propagation in Lossy Media
NUS/ECE EE2011

3.2 In a lossy medium

jφ − jk c ⋅r jφ −α (kˆ c ⋅r ) − jβ (kˆ c ⋅r )
E = E0e e = eˆ E0 e e e
− jk c ⋅r ˆ E0 jφ −α (kˆ c ⋅r ) − jβ (kˆ c ⋅r )
H = H 0e =h e e e
ηc
1 1 ⎧
⎪ ˆ E0 −2α (kˆ c ⋅r ) ⎫⎪
2

Pav = Sav = Re {E × H*} = Re ⎨k c e ⎬

2 2 ⎪⎩ ηc ⎪⎭
1 ˆ 2 −2α ( kˆ c ⋅r ) ⎧1⎫
= k c E0 e Re ⎨ ⎬
2 ⎩ηc ⎭
1 2 −2α ( kˆ c ⋅r ) ⎧1⎫
= E0 e Re ⎨ ⎬ (W/m 2 )
2 ⎩ηc ⎭
Hon Tat Hui
25 Plane Wave Propagation in Lossy Media
NUS/ECE EE2011

Example 2
For the plane wave in Example 1, find the power densities at
distances of skin depth z = δ and z = 0.

Solutions
From Example 1:
E( z ) = xˆ 100 e −8.89 z e − j 8.89 z
100 −8.89 z − j (8.89 z +π / 4 )
H ( z ) = yˆ e e
π
skin depth δ = 0.112 m
η c = π e jπ / 4 Ω
α = 8.89 Np/m
Hon Tat Hui
26 Plane Wave Propagation in Lossy Media
NUS/ECE EE2011

Power density at skin depth δ:

δ
1 2 −2α ( kˆ c ⋅r ) ⎧1⎫
Pδ = E0 e Re ⎨ ⎬
2 ⎩ηc ⎭
1 2 −2×8.89×0.112 ⎧ 1 ⎫
= 100 e Re ⎨ jπ /4 ⎬
2 ⎩π e ⎭
= 153.63 (W/m 2 )
Power density at z = 0:
1 2 ⎧ 1 ⎫
P0 = 100 Re ⎨ jπ /4 ⎬
2 ⎩π e ⎭
= 1125.4 (W/m 2 )
Hon Tat Hui
27 Plane Wave Propagation in Lossy Media
NUS/ECE EE2011

Example 3
Compute the average power density Pav of a uniform
sinusoidal plane wave propagating in air which has the
following expression for the instantaneous magnetic field:

⎛ 1 1 ⎞
H( x, z , t ) = ⎜ − xˆ + zˆ ⎟ cos(ωt − 6 x − 8 z ) A/m
⎝ 15π 20π ⎠
Solutions
In phasor form:
⎛ 1 ˆ 1
ˆz ⎞⎟ e − j ( 6 x +8 z )
H (r ) = H ( x , z ) = ⎜ − x+ A/m
⎝ 15π 20π ⎠
Hon Tat Hui
28 Plane Wave Propagation in Lossy Media
NUS/ECE EE2011

hˆ = unit vector of H(r )

H(r ) = hˆ H 0 e − j k ( kˆ ⋅r )

2 2
⎛ 1 ⎞ ⎛ 1 ⎞ 1 1 1 1
H0 = ⎜ − ⎟ +⎜ ⎟ = + 2 =
⎝ 15π ⎠ ⎝ 20π ⎠ π 15 2
20 12π

ˆh = ⎛ − 1 xˆ + 1 zˆ ⎞ / 1 = (−0.8, 0, 0.6)
⎜ 15π 20 π ⎟ 12π
⎝ ⎠
k (kˆ ⋅ r ) = k x x + k y y + k z z = 6 x + 8 z
⇒ k x = 6, k y = 0, k z = 8

k = k x2 + k z2 = 10

kˆ = (k x ,0, k z ) k = (0.6,0,0.8)
Hon Tat Hui
29 Plane Wave Propagation in Lossy Media
NUS/ECE EE2011

Using, E(r ) = −η0 kˆ × H

− j ( 6 x +8 z )
E(r ) = E( x, z ) = y 10 e
ˆ V/m
1
[
Sav = Re E(r ) × H * (r )
2
]
1 ⎡ − j ( 6 x +8 z ) ⎛ 1 1 ⎞ j ( 6 x +8 z ) ⎤
= Re ⎢ yˆ 10 e ×⎜− xˆ + zˆ ⎟ e ⎥
2 ⎣ ⎝ 15π 20π ⎠ ⎦
1 ⎡ 10 10 ⎤
= Re ⎢ xˆ + zˆ ⎥
2 ⎣ 20π 15π ⎦
1 1 5
= xˆ + zˆ (W/m ) ∴ Pav = Sav =
2
(W/m 2 )
4π 3π 12π
Hon Tat Hui
30 Plane Wave Propagation in Lossy Media