3-1

Chapter 3
Uniform Plane Waves
Dr. Stuart Long
ECE 3317

http://www.servinghistory.com/topics/Plane_wave
http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=261657
What is a “wave” ? 3-2

Wave – a mechanism by which a

disturbance is propagated from one place
to another .....

water, heat, sound, gravity, and EM

(radio, light, microwaves, UV, IR)

Notice how the media itself (UH fans in this case) is NOT propagated

GO COUGARS!!!

Animation courtesy of Dr. Dan Russell, Kettering University

 3-3
One Dimensional Wave Equation

 ∂2 1 ∂2 
 2 − 2 2  p ( x, t ) =
0
 ∂x v ∂t 

Given p( x,0) = f ( x )
A solution p( x=
, t ) f ( x − vt )
Unique solution depends on physical problem

∂2 ∂2
p ( x, t ) ′′
f= p ( x , t ) v 2
f ′′
∂x 2
∂t 2

∂
Time harmonic case ⇒ jω
∂t
 ∂2 ω 2 
 2 + 2  p( x) =
0
 ∂x v 
 3-4
Maxwell’s
Equations
∇×E = − jωµ0 H
 
∇× H = jωε 0 E
 
∇ H = 0

∇ E = 0


Source Free ⇒
= ρv 0=
; J 0
jω t
Time Harmonic case ⇒ e Time dependent

Linear medium ⇒ B = µ 0 H ; D = ε 0E
 3-5

Vector Identity ∇ × (∇ =
× E) ∇ (∇ E) − ∇ 2 E
  
− jωµ0 =
(∇ × H) ∇(∇E) − ∇ 2E
  
− jωµ0 (=
jωε 0E) 0 − ∇ 2E
 
∇ 2E + ω 2 µ0ε 0E = 0 Wave equation for E
  
for E = E x xˆ and E x ( z )
∂2E x
+ ω 2
µ0ε 0 E x = 0 (1-dim. case)
∂z 2

try soln of form E = xˆ E0e − jkz


[ −k + ω µ0ε 0 ]E0 =
2 2
0

k2 ω=
2
µ0ε 0 Dispersion Relation ⇒ k ω µ0ε 0

= =
E ( z, t ) Re

{
Ee jωt }
xˆ E0 cos(ωt − kz )
 3-6

Ex
1 periodic in time
period T
0.8

0.6

0.4
E x = E0 cos(ωt )
0.2
ωt
0
π π 3π 2π
-0.2
2 2 x component of the
-0.4 electric field at z=0
-0.6 as a function of time
-0.8

-1
0 pi/2 pi
t
0 T/4 T/2 3T/4 T

angular frequency ω=2πf

 3-7

=E x E0 cos(ωt − kz ) Electric field as a function of

z at different times

π
Ex ωt =0 Ex ωt = ωET ω t =π
1 1 2 1
x

0.8 0.8 0.8

0.6 0.6 0.6

0.4 0.4 0.4

0.2 0.2 0.2

kz 2π kz kz
0 0
λ= 0

-0.2 -0.2 k -0.2

-0.4 -0.4 -0.4

-0.6 -0.6 -0.6

-0.8 -0.8 -0.8

π πpi πpi
-1 -1 -1
0
πpi/2 pi
3π
3pi/2
2π
2pi 0
πpi/2 33pi/2π 2π
2pi 0
πpi/2 π
33pi/2 22piπ
2 2 2 2 2 2
∆ ( kz )= π ⇒ ∆z= π π
spatially repeating k
∴v =
∆z
= = k ω
every wavelength λ ∆ (ωt )= π ⇒ ∆t= π ∆t π k
ω ω
3-8
 3-9
Quick Review

• The wave spatially repeats at a point z = λ where kλ = 2π.

• The quantity λ , where , is called the wavelength.

• The number of wavelengths contained in a spatial distribution of 2π is

given by and it is called the wavenumber.

• The velocity of the peak of the wave (position of constant phase) requires
that wt –kz = [a constant], (let’s call that constant zero). So the velocity of
propagation is then given by

• The velocity in free space is given by

 3-10

Thus far we have a number of useful definitions:

1 ω
Period T = [sec] Phase Velocity v [m/sec]
f k

Angular ω 2π f [rad] Velocity in c ≈ 3 × 108 [m/sec]

Frequency free space
1
Frequency f = [Hz] Wavenumber k ω µ0ε 0 [1 m]
T
2π
Wavelength λ= [m] Note: f [GHz ]λ[cm] ≈ 30
k

Also, remember that the orientation of the E field of a uniform plane

electromagnetic wave is perpendicular to the H field for that wave, and that
both are perpendicular to the direction in which the wave propagates
 3-11
Uniform Plane Waves x

Waves whose constant phase

fronts are planar (plane waves) z
and whose amplitude (E0 ) is
uniform

Recall ∇ × E = - jωµ0 H
 
Where the E field of a uniform
http://phys23p.sl.psu.edu/phys_anim/EM/indexer_EMC.html
plane wave is given by
E field is in xˆ direction
− jk z
E = xˆ E0e H field is in yˆ direction

Wave propagating in + zˆ direction
The magnetic field is then
E0e − jk z
H = yˆ
 η0
 3-12

Or in the time domain

z

= {
E ( z, t ) Re =

}
Ee jωt xˆ xˆ E0 cos(ωt − kz )
y
Similarly
 Ee jωt  E0
=
H ( z, t ) Re =  ˆ
y ˆ
y cos(ωt − kz )http://phys23p.sl.psu.edu/phys_anim/EM/indexer_EMC.html

 η0  η0
Where the η0 is the intrinsic impedance of free space
µ0
η0 = 120π ≈ 377 [Ohms]
ε0
1
Permittivity ε 0 ≈ × 10−9  F 
36π  m
−7  H 
Permeability µ
= 0 4π × 10  m
 3-13
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Source Freq.[Hz] Freq. (common units) Wavelength [m] Wavelength (common units)
U.S AC Power 60 60 Hz 5x106 5000 Km
ELF Submarine
Communications 500 500 Hz 6x105 600 Km
AM radio 106 1000 Hz 300 300 m
CB radio 2.7x107 27 MHz 11 11 m
Early Cordless phone 4.9x107 49 MHz 6.1 6.1 m
TV ch. 2 (digital) 5.4x107 54 MHz 5.5 5m
FM radio 108 100 MHz 3 3m
TV ch. 8 (digital) 1.8x108 180 MHz 1.7 1.7 m
UHF Aircraft Comm. 5x108 500 MHz .6 60 cm
TV ch. 39 6.2x108 620 MHz .48 48 cm
Early Cell phone 8.7x108 870 MHz .34 34 cm
μ-wave oven 2.45x109 2.45 GHz .12 12 cm
"C" band 6x109 6 GHz .05 5 cm
Police radar (X-band) 1.05x1010 10.5 GHz .0285 2.85 cm
mm wave 1011 100 GHz .003 3 mm
He-Ne Laser 4.7x1014 470 THz 6.3x 10-7 6300 Å
Light 1015 1 PHz 3x10-7 3000 Å
X-ray 1018 1 EHz 3x10-7 3 Å
 3-14
The Electromagnetic Spectrum

http://www.impression5.org/solarenergy/misc/emspectrum.html
 3-15
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
3-16
 3-17
Polarization

The polarization of a wave is

described by the locus of the tip of the
E vector as time progresses at a fixed
point in space.

If locus is a straight line If locus is a circle the If locus is an ellipse the

the wave is said to be wave is said to be wave is said to be
Linearly Polarized Circularly Polarized Elliptically Polarized
 3-18
Polarization

If locus is a straight line

the wave is said to be x
Linearly Polarized

http://phys23p.sl.psu.edu/phys_anim/EM/indexer_EMC.html
 3-19
Polarization

If locus is a circle the

wave is said to be x
Circularly Polarized

http://phys23p.sl.psu.edu/phys_anim/EM/indexer_EMC.html
 3-20
Polarization

If locus is an ellipse the

wave is said to be x z
Elliptically Polarized

http://phys23p.sl.psu.edu/phys_anim/EM/indexer_EMC.html
 3-21
Polarization

Consider a plane wave propagating in the positive z direction.

=E E0 cos(ω t − kz )
The associated electric field can be expressed in the form of

=
E xˆ Ex + yˆ E y
where the two components are, in general=
Ex a cos(ωt − kz + φa )
terms, =
E y b cos(ωt − kz + φb )

The complex representation is given can be expressed by

- j ( kz -φa ) - j ( kz -φb )
=E xˆ ae + yˆ be

 3-22
Polarization

Look at z = 0 and φb = φ ; φa = 0

E x = a cos ωt
=E y b cos(ωt + φ )
2
2
 Ex   Ex E y   Ey 
 a  − 2  ab  cos φ +  sin 2 φ
 =
     b 
Recall that the general quadratic equation is given by

Ax 2 + Bxy + Cy 2 + Dx + Ey + F =
0
where
1 2 cos φ 1
A= 2
; B =
− ; C = 2
; D =
0 ; E =
0 ; F =
− s in 2
φ
a ab b
 3-23
Polarization

Ax 2 + Bxy + cy 2 + Dx + Ey + F =
0
where
1 2cos φ 1
A= 2
; B =
− ; C = 2
; D =
0 ; E =
0 ; F =
− si n 2
φ
a ab b

If B 2 − 4 AC < 0 this becomes equation of an ellipse

2
 2 
 ab 
 1  1 
cos 2φ  −  − 4  2 = 
4
 a  b  a b
2 2 2
cos (
2
φ −1 ≤ 0)
A-C
rotated by an angle θ ⇒ cot 2θ =
B
1 1   ab 
2θ  2 − 2  
cot= 
a b   −2 cos φ 
 3-24
Example
Let φ 0=
= (or φ π )

2
 Ex 
2
 Ex E y   Ey 
  − 2  cos φ +   =
sin 2
φ
 a   ab   b 
2 2
 x
E
2
 Ex E y   E y   Ex E y 
  − 2 +  =
0⇒  −  =
0
 a   ab   b   a b 
Ex E y b
= ⇒ E y = Ex
a b a
Linear polarization
(line of slope b a )
 3-25
Example
π
=
Let ; φ
a b=
2
2
 Ex 
2
 Ex E y   Ey 
  − 2  cos φ +   =
sin 2
φ
 a   ab   b 

2
 Ex   E y 
2
 a  + a  = 1
   

Circular polarization (circle of radius "a")

 3-26
Example
π
= a ; φ
Let b 2=
2

2
 Ex 
2
 Ex E y   Ey 
  − 2  cos φ +   =
sin 2
φ
 a   ab   b 

2
 Ex   E y 
2
 a  +  2a  =
1
   

Elliptical polarization (equation of an ellipse

with major radius = 2a and minor radius =a )
3-27
3-27
3-28
 3-29
Polarization

Consider a plane wave propagating in the positive z direction.

=E E0 cos(ω t − kz )
The associated electric field can be expressed in the form of
=
E xˆ Ex + yˆ E y
where the two components are, in general
E x a cos(ωt − kz + φa )
=
terms, E y b cos(ωt − kz + φb )
=
The polarization of this plane wave is determined by the
quantity
Ey
= A∠φ
Ex
Where
| Ey | b
=A = and φ =φb − φa
| Ex | a
 3-30
Polarization
Classification If E field is traveling in the positive yˆ , xˆ or zˆ
direction A∠φ can be found respectively by

Ex ∠φx Ez ∠φz E y ∠φ y
or or
Ez ∠φz E y ∠φ y Ex ∠φx

= ; φ 0 or ± π       
A 0   = Linear Polarization (LP)

A → ∞       Linear Polarization (LP)

=   ; φ π               

A 1= Left-Hand Circular Polarization (LHCP)
2

A = 1   ; φ = − π            Right-Hand Circular Polarization (RHCP)

2
φ < π       
0 <    Left-Hand Elliptical Polarization (LHEP)

−π < φ < 0   Right-Hand Elliptical Polarization (RHEP)

 3-31
Polarization
Example
Find the polarization of the following field

(a) E = ( jxˆ + yˆ )e- jkz


E(t ) Re ( jxˆ + yˆ ) ( cos (ωt − kz ) + j sin (ωt − kz ) ) 
E(t ) yˆ cos (ωt − kz ) − xˆ sin (ωt − kz )
=
at z = 0 ŷ
=E(t ) yˆ cos (ωt ) − xˆ sin (ωt ) ωt = 0

at ωt = 0 E(0) = yˆ ωt = π / 2 x̂
at ωt π / 2 E(π / 2) = − xˆ ẑ RHCP
 3-32
Polarization
Example
Continued Another way to find polarization (Shen and Kong
method)…

(b) =E ( jxˆ + yˆ )e- jkz


E x = (1∠ − kz + 90 )
E y = (1∠ − kz )
Ey (1∠ − kz )
A∠φ = =
Ex (1∠ − kz + 90 )
|1|
= ∠ − kz − (−kz + 90 )
|1|
A∠φ = 1∠ − 90 ⇒ RHCP
 3-33
Polarization
Example
Find the polarization of the following field (Dr. Long’s
Way)
(b) E = ( 2 + j ) xˆ + ( 3 − j ) zˆ  e- jky

E(t ) Re ( ( 2 + j ) xˆ + ( 3 − j ) zˆ ) ( cos (ωt − ky ) + j sin (ωt − ky ) ) 
= E(t ) xˆ  2cos (ωt − ky ) − sin (ωt − ky )  + zˆ 3cos (ωt − ky ) + sin (ωt − ky ) 
at y = 0
=E(t ) xˆ  2 cos (ωt ) − sin (ωt )  + zˆ 3cos (ωt ) + sin (ωt ) 
x̂
=at ωt 0 E(0) = 2 xˆ + 3 zˆ
ωt = 0
at ωt = π / 2 E(π / 2) = − xˆ + zˆ

ẑ
ŷ
ωt = π / 2

LHEP
 3-34
Polarization
Example
Another way to find polarization (Shen and Kong
method)…

(c) E = ((2 + j ) xˆ + (3 − j ) zˆ)e- jky



E=x ( 5∠ − ky + 26.5651 )
E z ( 10∠ − ky − 18.4349 )
=
E x ( 5∠ − ky + 26.5651 )
φ =
A∠=
E z ( 10∠ − ky − 18.4349 )
| 5|
= ∠ − ky + 26.5651 − (−ky − 18.4349 )
| 10 |
1
φ
A∠= ∠45 ⇒ LHEP
2
 3-35
Polarization
Example
Find the polarization of the following field

(c) E = ((1 + j ) yˆ + (1 − j ) zˆ )e- jkx

(d)

E=y ( 2∠ − kx + 45)

E=
z ( 2∠ − kx − 45)
E z ( 2∠ − kx − 45 )
φ =
A∠=
E y ( 2∠ − kx + 45 )

| 2|
= ∠ − kx − 45 − (−kx − 45 )
| 2|
A∠φ =
1∠ − 90 ⇒ RHCP
 3-36
Plane Waves in Dissipative
Media
For isotropic conductors Ohm's Law states that
Jc = σ E
 
where J c conduction current ; σ conductivity   
 m
J 0 source current

Consequently Ampere's Law becomes

∇ ×=H jωD + J c + J 0
  
 σ
∇=× H jω ε − j  E + J 0
  ω  
Where
σ
ε= ε − j Complex Permittivity
 ω
 3-37
Plane Waves in Dissipative
Media

In a source free dissipative medium  J = 0 Ampere’s Law states

 

 

∇ × H = jωεE
 
As derived earlier, the wave equation is given by

(∇ 2 2

 
)
+ ω µ ε E =0
As we have seen, ε is complex for a dissipative medium.
~
Note: The wave number and the intrinsic impedance are now
complex numbers.

k =ω µε η= µ ε
2 2
; 
  
 3-38
Plane Waves in Dissipative
Media

The wave number and the intrinsic impedance can

also be written as
k = k R - jk I

η = η e jφ

The electromagnetic fields of a uniform plane wave
in a dissipative medium are given by
ˆ 0 e − jk z
E = xE

E0 e − jk z
H = yˆ
 η

 3-39
Plane Waves in Dissipative
Media

The electromagnetic fields can also be written as

− k z − jk z
E = xE
ˆ 0e I e R

E − k z − jk z
H = yˆ 0 e I e R e − jφ
 η

Or in the time domain

cos (ωt − k R z )
− kI z
=
E x ( z , t ) E0 e

cos (ωt − k R z − φ )
− kI z
E0 e
H y ( z, t ) =
η
 3-40
Plane Waves in Dissipative
Media

From the electromagnetic fields we can observe that

1) The wave travels in the + zˆ direction with a velocity

ω
v=
kR
where k R is now the wavenumber.

2) The amplitude is attenuated exponentially at the rate

k I nepers per meter, where k I is the attenuation
constant.

3) The magnetic field H y is out of phase by φ .

 3-41
Attenuation

-One neper of attenuation defined as

-The attenuation in nepers after length d is given by

-The relationship between dB and nepers is given by

1[neper] = 8.686[dB]
 3-42
Example
1) The electric field is decreased by a factor of 0.707.
Find the attenuation in nepers and dB

EF 
ln   = ln [ 0.707 ] = −0.3467 [nepers]
 EI 

 dB 
− 0.3467[nepers]8.686   =
−3.01 [dB]
 nepers 
or

 EF 
20log   = 20log ( 0.707 ) = −3.01 [dB]
 EI 
 3-43
Note on dB Scale

If dealing with electric field use

E 
20log  F 
 EI 
If dealing with power use
PF 
10log  
 PI 
This is because P ~ E 2

when E F = 0.707E I

then PF = 0.707 2 PI ⇒ PF = 0.5PI

=
20log [0.707] 10log
= [0.5] −3.01 [dB]
 3-44
General Media

1
The penetration depth (d p ) such that E( z = d ) =   E( z = 0) is given by
p
e
kI d p = 1

Where for a conducting media

k ω

με 1 − σ
j =
 σ
ω με 1 − j = kR - jk I
  ωε  ωε

Keep in mind that

If a>>1 then If a<<1 then

a or a
1 + ja ≈ (1 + j ) 1 + ja ≈ 1 + j
2 2
 3-45
Slightly Conducting Media

σ If a<<1 then
(Good Dielectric) << 1 1 + ja ≈ 1 + j
a
ωε 2

k approximation for
good dielectric

σ
http://www.hamprods.com/Other_Products.htm

 
k ≈ω με 1 − j
  2ωε 

k k= σ µ
R - jk I ; kI
2 ε


2 ε
dp = ; k R ω με
σ µ
 3-46
Highly Conducting Media
σ If a>>1 then

(Good Conductor) >> 1 1 + ja ≈

a
(1 + j )
ωε
2

k approximation

ω
for good conductor
μσ
k≈ (1 − j )
 2 http://www.hamprods.com/Other_Products.htm

ω µσ
k k=
R - jk I ; kI
 2

2 ω µσ
dp = ≡δ ; kR
ω µσ 2

δ Also called the skin depth

 3-47

σ
σ
Behavior ofI kI and
Behavior of k and k R askR as a Function of ωε
a Function of Loss Tangent

ωε
0.1 1.0 10.0 100.0
400
Exact kr
Exact ki
Good Conductor appx. kr=ki
k I or k R (1/m)

Good Dielectric appx. kr 300

Good Dielectric appx. ki

200

100

Seawater
  mho
=µ µ=
0 ; ε 81ε =
0 ; σ 4  m 
 
“Good” Conductor 3-48

OHM'S LAW
J = σE ⇒σ → ∞
 
Superconducting lead σ 2.7 ×1020
= [ mho/m]
Silver σ
= 6.2 ×107 [ mho/m]
Copper σ
= 5.8 ×107 [ mho/m]
Gold σ= 4.1×107 [ mho/m]
Ordinary Aluminum σ
= 3.8 ×107 [ mho/m] A perfect
metal with Brass σ= 1.5 ×107 [ mho/m] conductor is an
very high Solder σ
= 0.7 ×107 [ mho/m] idealized
values of σ Stainless steel σ
= 0.1×107 [ mho/m] material in
approximate Graphite σ = 7 ×104 [ mho/m] which no
“perfect” Silicon σ
= 1.2 ×103 [ mho/m] electric field
conductors Sea water σ =4 [ mho/m] can exits
Distilled water σ = 2 ×10−4 [ mho/m]
Sandy soil σ = 10−5 [ mho/m]
Granite σ = 10−6 [ mho/m]
Bakelite σ = 10−9 [ mho/m]
Diamond σ = 2 ×10−13 [ mho/m]
Polystyrene σ = 10−16 [ mho/m]
Quartz σ = 10−17 [ mho/m]
 3-49
Lossy Dielectrics
Can dissipate
energy in D= εE
oscillations of 
bound charge in
Can define an effective conductivity ε= ε ′ − jε ′′
σ e = ωε ′′ 
a dielectric.
Same effect as σ but from a different source

ε ′′ σ e
Table gives [ tan δ=
] =
ε ′ ωε ′

ε′
= εr tan δ
ε0
Ice 4.2 0.1
Dry soil 2.8 0.07
Distilled water 80 0.04 Phase Lag
Nylon 4 0.01 caused by bound
Teflon 2 0.0003 charge not
Glass 4→7 0.0002 “keeping up” with
Dry wood 1.5 → 4 0.01 E Field
Styrofoam 1.03 0.00003
Steak 40 0.3
 3-50
Skin Effect

The skin effect is the tendency of

an alternating electric current to
distribute itself within a conductor
so that the current density near the
surface of the conductor is greater
than that at its core. That is, the
electric current tends to flow at the
http://www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/Workshop/advice/coils/power_loss.html
"skin" of the conductor.

For EM waves

E E0 e − kI z e − jkR z
xˆ= Since J σE
  
J = xˆσ E0 e− kI z e− jkR z Current is exponentially
 damped into material
 3-51
Plane Waves in
a Plasma Plasma is a collection of (+) and (-)
charged particles for which <ρv>=0

For low density plasma (few collisions)

 ω p2 
µ µ0
= ;= ε ε 0 1 − 2  ωp → Plasma freq.
 ω 

"Cold Plasma"
Note: ε is a function of ω ⇒ Dispersive medium

For ω > ωp
1
 ωp 2 2
=k ω µ0 ε 0 1 − 
 ω 
2

ω
v=
k
http://www.giantbomb.com/users/plasma
 3-52
Plane Waves in
a Plasma

For ω < ωp the wavenumber becomes imaginary

1
ω p2 2
k=− jα =
− jω µ0ε 0  2 − 1
  ω 

− jk z −α z
=
Then ˆ=
E(z) xE0 e  ˆ
xE0 e Evanescent Waves

α Attenuation occurs
and H(z) = yˆ E0e−α z
 jωµ0 but no real power is
dissipated
Since E x H is imaginary
 
1 
= s Re E × H*  = 0
2   

http://www.optoiq.com/
 3-53
Phase vs. Group
Velocity

The phase velocity

is the speed of the
individual wave
crests, whereas the
group velocity is the
speed of the wave
packet as a whole
(the envelope).

In this case, the

phase velocity is
greater than the http://www.geneseo.edu/~freeman
group velocity.
Phase Velocity =
(Roller coaster, beach
waves, inch worm)
Group Velocity =
 3-54
Phase vs. Group
Velocity

http://www.isvr.soton.ac.uk