Uniform Plane Waves in

Lossy Media

UCF

Maxwells Equations in Isotropic Lossy Media

In lossy, isotropic, source free media

E jH
H jE E ( j )E
E 0

Loss tangent

tan

H 0
Define j j~

~

(1 j
) (1 j tan ) Complex dielectric
j

constant
Since 0 r

~
) 0~r
0 r
0 ( r j
j
0

~
r r j

UCF

UPW in Isotropic Lossy Media

In lossy, isotropic, source free media

E jH
H j~E
E 0
H 0

E E 0e

j k r

H H 0 e j k r

jk

jk E jH
jk H j~E
jk E 0
jk H 0

k E H
k H ~E
k E 0
k H 0

UCF

(1)

Properties of UPW in Isotropic

Lossy Media (1)
k E 0 k E
k H 0 k H

The UPW in lossy, isotropic media is a TEM wave.

(2)

k E H
k H ~E

E
EH
H

E, H and k form a right handed system.

UCF

(3)

Properties of UPW in Isotropic

Lossy Media (2)

k k E k H (~ )E 2 ~E
k k E k (k E) E(k k ) k 2 E
2
2 ~
2
2 ~
k E E k dispersion relationship
k ~

complex

Let k j , jk j , e jkz e z e z e jz
is called phase constant, unit is rad/m

is called attenuation constant, unit is Nep/m

Eout
Definition : dB : 20log10
Ein

Eout
Neper(Nep) : ln
Ein

UCF

(4)

Properties of UPW in Isotropic

Lossy Media (3)

k E H a k E
H

k
Since k is complex in lossy media, E and H have
different phases.

(5)

a k E

~
~
H

Define ~

as complex wa ve impedance
~

ak E
H ~

E
H

ak E
H

Example

UCF

An electric field of UPW in lossy media is given as

E ( Ae jkx Be jkx )a z V/m

Find : H .
Solution :

E Ae jkx a z Be jkx a z V/m

Propagating in
+x direction

Propagating in
-x direction

From properties (2) and (5) of UPW in lossy media

Ae jkx
Be jkx
H ~ ( a y ) ~ a y A/m

UCF

Average Power Density of UPW

in Lossy Media

k E *
1
1
*
S av Re[E H ] Re[E (
)]
2
2

k * E E* (k * E)

1
Re[
2

1
2
E ak

Assuming E E 0 e jk r , k ( j )a k
1
2 2a k r
S av
E0 e
a k S av e 2ak r
2
If the UPW is propagating in z,
S av ( z ) S av (0)e 2z

UCF

Phase and Attenuation Constants

2
~
k ( ) 2 j
j
2

( j ) 2 2 j
( 2 2 ) 2 j 2 j
2 2 2 (1) and 2
( 2 2 ) 2 ( 2 2 ) 2 (2 ) 2 ( 2 ) 2 ( ) 2

2 2 ( 2 ) 2 ( ) 2

(2)

From (1) and (2)

1/ 2

2


1


1 1

1/ 2

2


1


1 1

UCF

UPW in Low Loss Media (Good Insulator)

Low loss media: tan

k ~ (1 j

1/ 2
) (1 j
)

Since (1 x ) n 1 nx for x 1
k j (1

and

1
j
)
2

(1 j
)

1 / 2
(1 j
)

(1 j
)
2

UPW in Good Conductor (1)

UCF

Good conductor: tan

for copper 5.8 10 7 m/

silver 6.17 10 7 m/
aluminum 3.72 10 7 m/

k ~ (1 j

k j
(1 j )
2

f since 2f

UPW in Good Conductor (2)

UCF

Skin effect: Since tan, the electromagnetic fields can only exist
near the surface of good conductor.
Skin depth (or depth of penetration) is defined as the depth when
the fields attenuate to 1/e.
e e 1 then

(1 j

( j

(1 j )
2

UCF

UPW in Lossy Media - Summary

UCF

Current on PEC Surface

x

free space
H
y

PEC
z

J S ( a z ) H

If H is in y direction, surface current is in x direction.

J x H0
Total current per unit length in y is:

for z=0

Ix H0

UCF

Current on Good Conductor Surface (1)

x

free space

H
y

look at this little bit transmitted part

Good Conductor
z

E E 0 e z e j z a x , J E E 0 e z e j z a x
Total current per unit length in y is:

Ix

y 1

J x dzdy 1 E0 e
0

z j z

E 0
dz
j

UCF

Current on Good Conductor Surface (2)

Good conductor:

Ix
Ix

E 0

1 j
2

E0
2

E0

E0

H0

This shows the current per unit length in y for good conductor
is the same as that for PEC.

UCF

Current on Good Conductor Surface (2)

Surface resistance RS is defined as

RS Re( )
1

1
1
2
*
S av Re(E0 H 0 ) Re H 0 a z
2
2
1
2
H 0 Re( )a z
2
Average power per unit area
Pav

1
1 2
2
H 0 Re( ) I x RS
2
2

1 1
1

Equivalent model
1

current is uniform
in cross section

UCF

Impedance Boundary Condition of a

Good Conductor