Lecture 2

EE-344 Wave Propagation and Antennas

Dr. Muhammad Anis Chaudhary

Electromagnetic Wave Propagation

• A medium is characterized by its constitutive parameters σ , ε, µ

• EM Wave propagation in following media (unbounded) will be discussed

– Lossy Dielectrics
* σ ̸= 0, ε = εr ε0 , µ = µr µ0
– Lossless Dielectrics
* σ ≪ ωε or σ → 0, ε = εr ε0 , µ = µr µ0
– Free Space
* σ = 0, ε = ε0 , µ = µ0
– Good Conductors
* σ ≫ ωε or σ → ∞, ε = ε0 , µ = µr µ0

• Lossy Dielectrics, is the general case

• Solve Maxwell’s equations for this general case

• other cases can be described in terms of solutions for Lossy Dielectrics

Wave Propagation in Lossy Dielectrics

Wave Propagation in Lossy Dielectrics

Wave Propagation in Lossy Dielectrics

Lossy Dielectric

• An imperfect dielectric σ ̸= 0

• A partially conducting medium

• Results in attenuation of EM wave propagating through it

• Consider a lossy dielectric which is charge free i.e. ρv = 0

Maxwell’s Equations

EE-344 Wave Propagation and Antennas, Dr. M Anis Ch, Lecture 2 Page 1 of 13
 ¯ D̄ = ρv
• ∇.
¯ B̄ = 0
• ∇.
¯ × Ē = − ∂ B̄
• ∇ ∂t

¯ × H̄ = J¯+ ∂ D̄
• ∇ ∂t

Time Harmonic Form of Maxwell’s Equations

¯ Ēs = 0
• ∇.
¯ H̄s = 0
• ∇.
¯ × Ēs = − jω µ H̄s
• ∇
¯ × H̄s = σ Ēs + jωε Ēs = (σ + jωε)Ēs
• ∇

Wave Propagation in Lossy Dielectrics

¯ × Ēs = − jω µ H̄s }, we have
• taking curl of Faraday’s law {∇
¯ ×∇
• ∇ ¯ × Ēs = − jω µ ∇
¯ × H̄s
¯ ×∇
• ∇ ¯ × Ēs = − jω µ(σ + jωε)Ēs ∵ ∇
¯ × H̄s = (σ + jωε)Ēs
¯ ×∇
• using vector identity ∇ ¯ × Ā = ∇(
¯ ∇.
¯ Ā) − ∇
¯ 2 Ā
¯ ∇.
• we have ∇( ¯ Ēs ) − ∇
¯ 2 Ēs = − jω µ(σ + jωε)Ēs
¯ Ēs = 0
• using ∇.
¯ 2 Ēs = jω µ(σ + jωε)Ēs
• ∇
¯ 2 Ēs − γ 2 Ēs = 0
• or ∇
• where γ 2 = jω µ(σ + jωε)
• γ is called the propagation constant of the medium

Wave Propagation in Lossy Dielectrics

• Similarly taking curl of displacement current maxwell’s equation

¯ ×∇
• ∇ ¯ × H̄s = (σ + jωε)∇
¯ × Ēs
¯ ∇.
• ∇( ¯ H̄s ) − ∇
¯ 2 H̄s = − jω µ(σ + jωε)H̄s ∵ ∇
¯ × Ēs = − jω µ H̄s
¯ 2 H̄s = jω µ(σ + jωε)H̄s
• ∇
¯ 2 H̄s − γ 2 H̄s = 0
• or ∇
• where γ 2 = jω µ(σ + jωε)
• γ is called the propagation constant of the medium

EE-344 Wave Propagation and Antennas, Dr. M Anis Ch, Lecture 2 Page 2 of 13
Wave Propagation in Lossy Dielectrics
Vector Wave Equations
¯ 2 Ēs − γ 2 Ēs = 0
• ∇
¯ 2 H̄s − γ 2 H̄s = 0
• ∇

Scalar Wave Equations

• In Cartesian Coordinate system
– Ēs (x, y, z) = Exs âx + Eys ây + Ezs âz
• Wave equation implies
¯ 2 Exs âx + ∇
– ∇ ¯ 2 Eys ây + ∇
¯ 2 Ezs âz = γ 2 Exs âx + γ 2 Eys ây + γ 2 Ezs âz

• Thus for each direction âx , ây , âz we have 3 scalar wave (helmholtz) equations,
¯ 2 Exs = γ 2 Exs
– ∇
¯ 2 Eys = γ 2 Eys
– ∇
¯ 2 Ezs = γ 2 Ezs
– ∇

Wave Propagation in Lossy Dielectrics

Vector Wave Equations
¯ 2 Ēs − γ 2 Ēs = 0
• ∇
¯ 2 H̄s − γ 2 H̄s = 0
• ∇
• where
– γ = α + jβ
– γ = propagation constant (1/m)
– α = attenuation constant of the medium (Np/m)
– β = phase constant (rad/m)

Wave Propagation in Lossy Dielectrics

Assignment
• Given γ 2 = jω µ(σ + jωε) and γ = α + jβ
• Show that
s q 
µε  σ 2
– α =ω 2 1 + ωε − 1
s q 
µε  σ 2
– β =ω 2 1 + ωε + 1

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Wave Propagation in Lossy Dielectrics

• Lets now apply the wave equations to a wave propagating in positive z direction i.e. along
unit vector âz

• for simplicity, we assume

– Ēs has only x-component i.e. Ēs = Ēs (z) = Exs (z)âx

• substituting this in to wave equation

¯ 2 − γ 2 )Ēs = 0 =⇒(∇
– (∇ ¯ 2 − γ 2 )Ēs (z) = 0
¯ 2 − γ 2 )Exs (z)âx = 0 or (∇
– (∇ ¯ 2 − γ 2 )Exs (z) = 0
∂2 2 2
– E (z) + ∂∂y2 Exs (z) + ∂∂z2 Exs (z) − γ 2 Exs (z) = 0
∂ x2 xs
∂2 ∂2 ∂2
– E (z) − γ 2 Exs
∂ z2 xs
=0 ∵ ∂x 2 Exs (z) = 0 and E (z) = 0
∂ y2 xs
 
∂2
– ∂ z2
− γ 2 Exs (z) = 0

Wave Propagation in Lossy Dielectrics

 
∂2
• ∂ z2
− γ 2 Exs (z) = 0

– is a scalar wave equation having a solution

– Exs (z) = E0 e−γz + E0′ eγz

• As the wave propagation is in unbounded medium and wave is traveling in +z direction

(e−γz ), E must be finite for all z.

• for E to be finite at z=∞, E0′ must be equal to zero

• So the solution is

– Exs (z) = E0 e−γz

– and Ē(z,t) = Re[E0 e−γz e jωt aˆx ] = Re[E0 e−αz e− jβ z e jωt aˆx ] = E0 e−αz aˆx Re[e− jβ z e jωt ]

• Ē(z,t) = E0 e−αz cos(ωt − β z)aˆx

EE-344 Wave Propagation and Antennas, Dr. M Anis Ch, Lecture 2 Page 4 of 13
Wave Propagation in Lossy Dielectrics

• As the wave is travelling in +z direction, it is losing power because of the lossy nature of
the medium

• E vector is in the x-direction

Wave Propagation in Lossy Dielectrics

• Next we need to determine the magnetic field, H̄(z,t)

• Using Maxwell’s Curl E equation

¯ × Ēs = − jω µ H̄s , we have
• ∇
âx ây âz
∂ ∂ ∂
• ∂x ∂y ∂z = − jω µ H̄s
Exs 0 0
 
• −ây 0 − ∂∂z Exs = − jω µ H̄s

• H̄s = − jω1 µ ∂∂z Exs ây

• but Exs = E0 e−γz gives

E0 γ −γz
• H̄s = − jω1 µ ∂∂z (E0 e−γz ) ây = jω µ e ây
√
E0 jω µ(σ + jωε) −γz
• using γ2 = jω µ(σ + jωε) ⇒ H̄s = jω µ e ây
q
(σ + jωε) −γz
• H̄s = E0 jω µ e ây

EE-344 Wave Propagation and Antennas, Dr. M Anis Ch, Lecture 2 Page 5 of 13
Wave Propagation in Lossy Dielectrics
q
(σ + jωε) −γz
• H̄s = E0 jω µ e ây
q
E0 −γz jω µ
• or H̄s = η e ây where η = σ + jωε = |η| e jθη

• η is called intrinsic impedance (ohms) of the medium

• H̄s = H0 e−γz ây where H0 = Eη0

h i h i
• H̄(z,t) = Re H0 e−αz e− jβ z e jωt ây = H0 e−αz ây Re e− jβ z e jωt

• H̄(z,t) = H0 e−αz cos(ωt − β z)ây

E0 −αz
• H̄(z,t) = |η| e cos(ωt − β z − θη )ây

• Ē(z,t) = E0 e−αz cos(ωt − β z)aˆx

• thus H and E have a phase difference (lag or lead) of θη

Wave Propagation in Lossy Dielectrics

Assignment
q
jω µ
• Given η = σ + jωε = |η| e jθη
√
µ/ε σ
• Show that |η| = h i1 and tan (2θη ) = ωε
σ 2 4
1+( ωε )

Wave Propagation in Lossy Dielectrics

• Ē(z,t) = E0 e−αz cos(ωt − β z)aˆx

E0 −αz
• H̄(z,t) = |η| e cos(ωt − β z − θη )ây

• Ē and H̄ are out of phase by θη because of the complex nature of η (intrinsic impedance
of the medium)

• As the wave propagates in z direction, it attenuates (decreases in amplitude) by a factor

e−αz , where α is called the attenuation constant of the medium (Nepers per meter, Np/m)

• An attenuation of 1 neper equals a reduction of field to e−1 of its original value.

• An increase of 1 Np indicates an increase by a factor of e

• In dBs, 1 Np = 20 log e = 8.686dB

EE-344 Wave Propagation and Antennas, Dr. M Anis Ch, Lecture 2 Page 6 of 13
Wave Propagation in Lossy Dielectrics
A Perfect Conductor

• Dominating Conduction Current

• Diminishing Displacement Current

A Perfect Dielectric

• Dominating Displacement Current

• Diminishing Conduction Current

• So it makes sense to use the ratio of the magnitude of Conduction Current Density J¯c
to that of the Displacement Current Density J¯d , so as to characterize or quantify a lossy
medium as a good dielectric or a good conductor
¯ |σ Ēs |
• we define loss tangent = tanθ = ||JJ¯c || = | jωε Ē |
σ
= ωε , θ is called loss angle of the medium
d s

Wave Propagation in Lossy Dielectrics

Good Dielectric

• J¯c ≪ J¯d

• σ ≪ ωε
σ
• ωε ≪1

• tanθ ≪ 1

• for a perfect dielectric

σ
– σ ≈ 0 ⇒ tanθ = ωε →0

Good Conductor

• J¯c ≫ J¯d
J¯c
• J¯d
≫1
σ
• ωε ≫1

• tanθ ≫ 1

• for a perfect conductor

σ
– σ → ∞ ⇒ tanθ = ωε →∞

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Wave Propagation in Lossy Dielectrics
Complex Permittivity of the medium

• Loss tangent can also be expressed in terms of complex permittivity of the medium, εc
¯ × H̄s = (σ + jωε)Ēs = jωε( σ + 1)Ēs = jωε(1 + σ
• ∇ jωε jωε )Ēs

σ jσ
• εc = ε(1 + jωε ) = ε(1 − ωε ) As 1/ j = −j
jσ
• or εc = ε ′ − jε” = ε − ω

• ε ′ = ε , ε” = σ
ω
ε” σ
• thus ε′ = ωε = tanθ

Wave Propagation in Lossy Dielectrics

Summary

Vector Wave Equations

¯ 2 Ēs − γ 2 Ēs = 0 , ∇
• ∇ ¯ 2 H̄s − γ 2 H̄s = 0

• where
p
– γ = α + jβ = jω µ(σ + jωε)=propagation constant of the medium
s q 
µε  σ 2
– α =ω 2 1 + ωε − 1 = attenuation constant of the medium (Np/m)
s q 
µε  σ 2
– β =ω 2 1 + ωε + 1 = phase constant (rad/m)

Wave Propagation in Lossy Dielectrics

Summary Continued

• if Ēs has only x-component i.e. Ēs = Exs (z)âx

 2 
• the solution of the scalar wave equation, ∂∂z2 − γ 2 Exs (z) = 0 is

– Ē(z,t) = E0 e−αz cos(ωt − β z)aˆx

E0 −αz
– H̄(z,t) = |η| e cos(ωt − β z − θη )ây
q √
jω µ µ/ε
– where η = σ + jωε = |η| e jθη ,|η| = h i1 and tan (2θη ) = σ
ωε
σ 2 4
1+( ωε )

• As the wave propagates along +z direction, it decreases in amplitude by a factor e−αz

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Wave Propagation in Lossy Dielectrics
Summary Continued
|J¯cs | σ Im[εc ] ε”
• Loss Tangent of the medium = tanθ = |J¯ds |
= ωε = Re[εc ] = ε′

• where εc is called complex permittivity of the medium

jσ
• εc = ε ′ − jε” = ε − ω

• ε ′ = ε , ε” = σ
ω

Wave Propagation in Lossy Dielectrics

Example 10.2
• A lossy dielectric has an intrinsic impedance of 200∠30o Ω at a particular radian fre-
quency ω. If, at that frequency, the plane wave propagating through the dielectric has the
magnetic field component
 
−αx 1
H̄ = 10e cos ωt − x ây A/m
2

find Ē and α.

Wave Propagation in Lossless Dielectrics

Wave Propagation in Lossless Dielectrics

Wave Propagation in Lossless Dielectrics

• Constitutive parameters for lossless dielectrics are

– σ ≈ 0, ε = εr ε0 , µ = µr µ0

• substituting these in the equations derived for lossy dielectrics, we have

√
– α = 0, β = ω µε, γ = jβ
q q
jθ
– η = |η| e = ε e = µε
η µ j0

• E and H are

– Ē(z,t) = E0 cos(ωt − β z)aˆx

E0
– H̄(z,t) = √ µ cos(ωt − β z)ây
ε

• Loss Tangent and Complex Permittivity

σ
– tanθ = ωε =0
– ε ′ = ε , ε” = σ
ω =0
– εc = ε ′ − jε” = ε ′

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Wave Propagation in Free Space
Wave Propagation in Free Space

Wave Propagation in Free Space

• Constitutive parameters for Free Space are

– σ = 0, ε = ε0 , µ = µ0
– is a special case of loss less dielectrics. just replace ε by ε0 , µ by µ0

• we have
√
– α = 0, β = ω µ0 ε0 , γ = jβ
q
– η = |η| e jθη = µε00 = η0

– λ = 2π/β , u = f λ , u = c ≈ 3 × 108 m/s

• E and H are

– Ē(z,t) = E0 cos(ωt − β z)aˆx

E0
– H̄(z,t) = η0 cos(ωt − β z)ây

• Loss Tangent and Complex Permittivity

– tanθ = 0, εc = ε0

Wave Propagation in Free Space

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Wave Propagation in Free Space

• Let

– âE = unit vector along Ē

– âH = unit vector along H̄
– âk = unit vector in the direction of wave propagation

• then

– âE × âH = âk

– âE × âH = âk

– âH × âk = âE
– âk × âE = âH

Wave Propagation in Free Space

TEM (Transverse Electromagnetic Waves

• BothĒ and H̄ fields are normal to the direction of wave propagation âk

• Fields lie in a plane transverse to âk . This plane is called Equiphase Plane

• Neither Ē or H̄ can have a component along âk

Plane Waves

• Plane wave is a TEM wave

• Equiphase planes are parallel everywhere

Uniform Plane Waves

• Amplitude (Ē and H̄ fields) is the same over each equiphase plane

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Wave Propagation in Free Space

Polarization of a TEM Wave

• Direction in which Vector FieldĒ points e.g. Ē = E0 cos(ωt − β z)âx is polarized in the
x-direction

Wave Propagation in Lossy Dielectrics

Example 10.3

• In a lossless dielectric for which η = 60π, µr = 1, and H̄ = −0.1 cos (ωt − z) âx +0.5 sin (ωt − z) ây A/m,
calculate εr , ω, and Ē.

EE-344 Wave Propagation and Antennas, Dr. M Anis Ch, Lecture 2 Page 12 of 13
 • Figures in this lecture are from

– Sadiku MN. Elements of electromagnetics

– Balanis CA. Advanced engineering electromagnetics

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