EEL 4410 FIELDS AND WAVES

Ch7 Plane Wave Propagation

ONLINE Nezih Pala, Florida International University
2 Ch7 Plane Wave Propagation
PART 3

© Nezih Pala npala@fiu.edu EEL4410 Fields and Waves

 Lossy Media
3

To examine wave propagation in a lossy (conducting) medium, we return to the wave

equation given by
𝛻𝛻 2 𝐄𝐄� − 𝛾𝛾 2 𝐄𝐄� = 0
with

where ε' = ε and ε" = σ/ω. Since γ is complex, we express it as

where α is the medium's attenuation constant and β its phase constant. By replacing γ with
(α+ jβ), we obtain

The rules of complex algebra require the real and imaginary parts on one side of an
equation to equal the real and imaginary parts on the other side. Hence,
 Lossy Media
4

Solving these two equations for α and β gives

For a uniform plane wave with electric field E = x Ex(z) traveling along the z-direction, the
wave equation reduces to

The general solution of the wave equation comprises two waves, one traveling in the +z-
direction and another traveling in the -z-direction, Assuming only the former is present, the
solution of the wave equation leads to
 Attenuation
5

The associated magnetic field H can be determined by ∇×E = -jωµH, or using H = (k × E)/ηC,
where ηC is the intrinsic impedance of the lossy medium. Both approaches give

where

and

© Nezih Pala npala@fiu.edu EEL4410 Fields and Waves

 Attenuation
6

Magnitude of E

Skin depth
2
𝛿𝛿S =
𝜔𝜔𝜔𝜔𝜔𝜔

the wave magnitude decreases by a factor of

e-1 . At depth z = 3δS, the field magnitude is
less than 5% of its initial value, and at z = 5δS,
it is less than 1%.

This distance is called the skin depth of the

medium, characterizes how deep an
electromagnetic wave can penetrate into a
conducting medium.
Skin depth is due to the circulating eddy currents (arising
from a changing H field) cancelling the current flow in the
center of a conductor and reinforcing it in the skin.
 Attenuation
7

In a perfect dielectric, σ= 0 and ε" = 0; α = 0 and therefore δS = ∞.

Thus, in free space, a plane wave can propagate indefinitely with no loss in magnitude.

In a perfect conductor, σ = ∞; α = ∞ and therefore δS = 0.

If the outer conductor of a coaxial cable is designed to be several skin depths thick, it
prevents energy inside the cable from leaking outward and shields against penetration
of electromagnetic energy from external sources into the cable.

Remembering

When ε" / ε' << 1, the medium is considered low-loss dielectric, and when ε" / ε' >> 1,
it is considered a good conductor.

In practice, the medium may be regarded as a

low-loss dielectric if ε" / ε' < 10-2,
good conductor if ε" / ε' > 102
quasi-conductor if 10-2 << ε" / ε' << 102.
 Low and High Frequency Approximations
8

© Nezih Pala npala@fiu.edu EEL4410 Fields and Waves

 Exercise
9

Exercise 7-7: The constitutive parameters of copper are µ =µo = 4π x 10-7 (H/m), ε = ε0 =
(1/36π) x 10-9 (F/m), and σ = 5.8 x 107 (S/m). Assuming that these parameters are frequency
independent, over what frequency range of the electromagnetic spectrum (see Fig.) is copper a
good conductor?
Answer: f < 1.04 x 1016 Hz, which includes the radio, infrared, visible, and part of the ultraviolet
regions of the EM spectrum.
 Exercise
10

Exercise 7-8: Over what frequency range may dry soil, with εr = 3, µr = 1, and σ = 10-4
(S/m), be regarded as a low-loss dielectric?
Answer: f > 60 MHz.

© Nezih Pala npala@fiu.edu EEL4410 Fields and Waves

 Exercise
11

Exercise 7-9: For a wave traveling in a medium with a skin depth δS , what is the amplitude
of E at a distance of 3δS compared with its initial value?
Answer: e-3 ~ 0.05 or 5%.

© Nezih Pala npala@fiu.edu EEL4410 Fields and Waves

 CD Module 7.4 Wave Attenuation
12

Observe the profile of a plane wave propagating in a lossy medium. Determine

the skin depth, the propagation parameters, and the intrinsic impedance of the medium.
http://em.eecs.umich.edu/ch7/mod4/Attenuation.html

© Nezih Pala npala@fiu.edu EEL4410 Fields and Waves