CHAPTER 9

Circular Cross-Section Waveguides and Cavities

9.1 INTRODUCTION

Cylindrical transmission lines and cavities are very popular geometrical configurations. Cylindri-
cal structures are those that maintain a uniform cross section along their length. Typical cross
sections are rectangular, square, triangular, circular, elliptical, and others. Whereas the rectangu-
lar and square cross sections were analyzed in Chapter 8, the circular cross-section geometries
will be discussed in this chapter. This will include transmission lines and cavities (resonators) of
conducting walls and dielectric material.

9.2 CIRCULAR WAVEGUIDE

A popular waveguide configuration, in addition to the rectangular one discussed in Chapter 8,

is the circular waveguide shown in Figure 9-1. This waveguide is very attractive because of
its ease in manufacturing and low attenuation of the TE0n modes. An apparent drawback is its
fixed bandwidth between modes. Field configurations (modes) that can be supported inside such
a structure are TEz and TMz .

9.2.1 Transverse Electric (TEz ) Modes

The transverse electric to z (TEz ) modes can be derived by letting the vector potentials A and F
be equal to
A=0 (9-1a)
F = âz Fz (ρ, φ, z ) (9-1b)
The vector potential F must satisfy the vector wave equation 3-48, which reduces for the F of
(9-1b) to
∇ 2 Fz (ρ, φ, z ) + β 2 Fz (ρ, φ, z ) = 0 (9-2)
When expanded in cylindrical coordinates, (9-2) reduces to
∂ 2 Fz 1 ∂Fz 1 ∂ 2 Fz ∂ 2 Fz
+ + 2 + + β 2 Fz = 0 (9-3)
∂ρ 2 ρ ∂ρ ρ ∂φ 2 ∂z 2
whose solution for the geometry of Figure 9-1, according to (3-70), is of the form
Fz (ρ, φ, z ) = [A1 Jm (βρ ρ) + B1 Ym (βρ ρ)]
!
×[C2 cos(mφ) + D2 sin(mφ)] A3 e −j βz z + B3 e +j βz z (9-4)

483
484 CIRCULAR CROSS-SECTION WAVEGUIDES AND CAVITIES

r
e, m f
x
a

Figure 9-1 Cylindrical waveguide of circular cross section.

where, according to (3-66d), the constraint (dispersion) equation is

βρ2 + βz2 = β 2 (9-4a)

The constants A1 , B1 , C2 , D2 , A3 , B3 , m, βρ , and βz can be found using the boundary conditions

Eφ (ρ = a, φ, z ) = 0 (9-5a)
The fields must be finite everywhere (9-5b)
The fields must repeat every 2π radians in φ (9-5c)

According to (9-5b), B1 = 0 since Ym (ρ = 0) = ∞. In addition, according to (9-5c),

m = 0, 1, 2, 3, . . . (9-6)

Consider waves that propagate only in the +z direction. Then (9-4) reduces to

Fz+ (ρ, φ, z ) = Amn Jm (βρ ρ)[C2 cos(mφ) + D2 sin(mφ)]e −j βz z (9-7)

Using (6-80) and (9-7), the electric field component of Eφ+ can be written as

1 ∂Fz+ Amn 
Eφ+ = = βρ J (βρ ρ)[C2 cos(mφ) + D2 sin(mφ)]e −j βz z (9-8)
ε ∂ρ ε m
where
∂
≡ (9-8a)
∂(βρ ρ)
Apply the boundary condition of (9-5a) in (9-8). Then we have that
Amn 
Eφ+ (ρ = a, φ, z ) = βρ J (βρ a)[C2 cos(mφ) + D2 sin(mφ)]e −j βz z = 0 (9-9)
ε m
which is only satisfied provided that

χmn
Jm (βρ a) = 0 ⇒ βρ a = χmn

⇒ βρ = (9-10)
a

In (9-10) χmn represents the nth zero (n = 1, 2, 3, . . .) of the derivative of the Bessel function

Jm of the first kind and of order m (m = 0, 1, 2, 3, . . .). An abbreviated list of the zeroes χmn of
 CIRCULAR WAVEGUIDE 485


TABLE 9-1 Zeroes χmn of derivative Jm (χmn

) = 0 (n = 1, 2, 3, . . .) of the Bessel function Jm (x )
m=0 m=1 m=2 m=3 m=4 m=5 m=6 m=7 m=8 m=9 m = 10 m = 11
n =1 3.8318 1.8412 3.0542 4.2012 5.3175 6.4155 7.5013 8.5777 9.6474 10.7114 11.7708 12.8264
n =2 7.0156 5.3315 6.7062 8.0153 9.2824 10.5199 11.7349 12.9324 14.1155 15.2867 16.4479 17.6003
n =3 10.1735 8.5363 9.9695 11.3459 12.6819 13.9872 15.2682 16.5294 17.7740 19.0046 20.2230 21.4309
n =4 13.3237 11.7060 13.1704 14.5859 15.9641 17.3129 18.6375 19.9419 21.2291 22.5014 23.7607 25.0085
n =5 16.4706 14.8636 16.3475 17.7888 19.1960 20.5755 21.9317 23.2681 24.5872 25.8913 27.1820 28.4609

the derivative Jm of the Bessel function Jm is found in Table 9-1. The smallest value of χmn

is
1.8412 (m = 1, n = 1), followed by 3.0542 (m = 2, n = 1), 3.8318 (m = 0, n = 1), and so on.
By using (9-4a) and (9-10), βz of the mn mode can be written as
⎧ 
⎪    2
⎪
⎪ β 2 − β 2 = β 2 − χmn

χmn
⎪
⎪ when β > β = (9-11a)
⎪
⎪ ρ
a
ρ
a
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎨
χ
(βz )mn = 0 when β = βc = βρ = mn (9-11b)
⎪
⎪ a
⎪
⎪ 
⎪
⎪   2
⎪
⎪  χmn χ
⎪ − j β 2 − β 2 = −j
⎪ − β2 when β < βρ = mn
⎩ ρ (9-11c)
a a
Cutoff is defined when (βz )mn = 0. Thus, according to (9-11b),
√ √ χ
βc = ωc με = 2πfc με = βρ = mn (9-12)
a
or

χmn
(fc )mn = √ (9-12a)
2πa με

By using (9-12) and (9-12a), we can write (9-11a) through (9-11c) as

⎧  
⎪
⎪  2  2
⎪
⎪ β ρ βc
⎪
⎪ β − βρ = β 1 −
2 2 =β 1−
⎪
⎪ β β
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪  
⎪
⎪   2  2
⎪
⎪ χmn fc
⎪
⎪ = β 1 − = β 1 − when f > fc = (fc )mn (9-13a)
⎪
⎪ βa f
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎨0 when f = fc = (fc )mn (9-13b)
(βz )mn =  
⎪
⎪   2  2
⎪
⎪ βρ βc
⎪ − j β 2 − β 2 = −j β
⎪ − 1 = −j β −1
⎪
⎪ ρ
β β
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪  
⎪
⎪   2  2
⎪
⎪ χ fc
⎪
⎪ = −j β mn
− 1 = −j β −1
⎪
⎪ (9-13c)
⎪
⎪ βa f
⎪
⎪
⎩
when f < fc = (fc )mn
The guide wavelength λg is defined as
2π
(λg )mn = (9-14)
(βz )mn
486 CIRCULAR CROSS-SECTION WAVEGUIDES AND CAVITIES

which according to (9-13a) and (9-13b) can be written as

⎧
⎪ 2π λ
⎪
⎪  = when f > fc = (fc )mn (9-14a)
⎪
⎨    2
fc 2 fc
(λg )mn = β 1− 1−
⎪
⎪ f f
⎪
⎪
⎩
∞ when f = (fc )mn (9-14b)

In (9-14a), λ is the wavelength of the wave in an infinite medium of the kind that exists inside the
waveguide. There is no definition of the wavelength below cutoff since the wave is exponentially
decaying and there is no repetition of its waveform.

According to (9-12a) and the values of χmn in Table 9-1, the order (lower to higher cutoff
frequencies) in which the TEmn modes occur is TEz11 , TEz21 , TEz01 , etc. It should be noted that for a
z

circular waveguide the order in which the TEzmn modes occur does not change, and the bandwidth
between modes is also fixed. For example, the bandwidth of the first single-mode TEz11 operation
is 3.0542/1.8412 = 1.6588 : 1 which is less than 2 : 1. This bandwidth is fixed and cannot be
varied, as was the case for the rectangular waveguide where the bandwidth between modes was
a function of the a/b ratio. In fact, for a rectangular waveguide the maximum bandwidth of a
single dominant mode operation was 2 : 1 and it occurred when a/b ≥ 2; otherwise, for a/b < 2,
the bandwidth of a single dominant mode operation was less than 2 : 1. The reason is that in a
rectangular waveguide there are two dimensions a and b (2 degrees of freedom) whose relative
values can vary; in the circular waveguide there is only one dimension (the radius a) that can
vary. A change in the radius only varies, by the same amount, the absolute values of the cutoff
frequencies of all the modes, so it does not alter their order or relative bandwidth.
The electric and magnetic field components can be written, using (6-80) and (9-7), as

1 ∂Fz+ m
Eρ+ = − = −Amn Jm (βρ ρ)[−C2 sin(mφ) + D2 cos(mφ)]e −j βz z
ερ ∂φ ερ
(9-15a)
1 ∂Fz+ βρ
Eφ+ = = Amn Jm (βρ ρ)[C2 cos(mφ) + D2 sin(mφ)]e −j βz z (9-15b)
ε ∂ρ ε
Ez+ = 0 (9-15c)
1 ∂ 2 Fz+ βρ βz 
Hρ+ = −j = −Amn J (βρ ρ)[C2 cos(mφ) + D2 sin(mφ)]e −j βz z (9-15d)
ωμε ∂ρ ∂z ωμε m
1 1 ∂ 2 Fz+ mβz 1
Hφ+ = −j = −Amn Jm (βρ ρ)
ωμε ρ ∂φ ∂z ωμε ρ
×[−C2 sin(mφ) + D2 cos(mφ)]e −j βz z (9-15e)
 2 
1 ∂ βρ2
Hz+ = −j + β 2
F +
= −jAmn Jm (βρ ρ)
ωμε ∂z 2 z
ωμε
×[C2 cos(mφ) + D2 sin(mφ)]e −j βz z (9-15f)

where
∂
≡ (9-15g)
∂(βρ ρ)
 CIRCULAR WAVEGUIDE 487

By using (9-15a) through (9-15f), the wave impedance (Zw+z )TE

mn of the TEmn (Hmn ) modes in
z z

the +z direction can be written as

Eρ+ Eφ+ ωμ
(Zw+z )TE
mn = =− = (9-16)
Hφ+ Hρ+ (βz )mn

With the aid of (9-13a) through (9-13c), the wave impedance of (9-16) reduces to
⎧
⎪
⎪ μ
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ ωμ ε η
⎪
⎪  = = (9-16a)
⎪
⎪      2
⎪
⎪ fc 2
fc 2
fc
⎪
⎪ β 1 − 1 − 1 −
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ f f f
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ when f > fc = (fc )mn
⎪
⎨ ωμ
(Zw+z )TE
mn = =∞ when f = fc = (fc )mn (9-16b)
⎪
⎪ 0
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ μ
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ ωμ ε η
⎪
⎪   = +j   = +j   (9-16c)
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ fc 2 fc 2 fc 2
⎪
⎪ −j β − 1 − 1 −1
⎪
⎪ f f f
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎩
when f < fc = (fc )mn

By examining (9-16a) through (9-16c), we can make the following statements about the
impedance.

1. Above cutoff it is real and greater than the intrinsic impedance of the medium inside the
waveguide.
2. At cutoff it is infinity.
3. Below cutoff it is imaginary and inductive. This indicates that the waveguide below cutoff
behaves as an inductor that is an energy storage element.

The form of Zw+z , as given by (9-16a) through (9-16c), as a function of fc /f , and where fc is
the cutoff frequency of that mode, is the same as the Zw+z for the TEz modes of a rectangular
waveguide, as given by (8-20a) through (8-20c). A plot of (9-16a) through (9-16c) for any one
TEzmn mode as a function of fc /f , is shown in Figure 8-2.

Example 9-1
A circular waveguide of radius a = 3 cm that is filled with polystyrene (εr = 2.56) is used at a frequency
of 2 GHz. For the dominant TEzmn mode, determine the following:

a. Cutoff frequency.
b. Guide wavelength (in cm). Compare it to the infinite medium wavelength λ.
c. Phase constant βz (in rad/cm).
d. Wave impedance.
e. Bandwidth over single-mode operation (assuming only TEz modes).
488 CIRCULAR CROSS-SECTION WAVEGUIDES AND CAVITIES

Solution:

a. The dominant mode is the TE11 mode whose cutoff frequency is, according to (9-12a),

z 1.8412 1.8412(30 × 109 )

(fc )TE
11 = √ = √ = 1.8315 GHz
2πa με 2π(3) 2.56
b. Since the frequency of operation is 2 GHz, which is greater than the cutoff frequency of
1.8315 GHz, the guide wavelength of (9-14a) for the TE11 mode is
λ
λg =   2
fc
1−
f

where
λ0 30 × 109
λ= √ = √ = 9.375 cm
εr 2 × 109 2.56
 
 2  
fc 1.8315 2
1− = 1− = 0.4017
f 2
Thus,
9.375
λg = = 23.34 cm where λ = 9.375 cm
0.4017
c. The phase constant βz of the TE11 mode is found using (9-13a), or
 
 2  2
fc 2π fc 2π
βz = β 1 − = 1− = (0.4017) = 0.2692 rad/cm
f λ f 9.375
which can also be obtained using
2π 2π
βz = = = 0.2692 rad/cm
λg 23.34
d. According to (9-16a), the wave impedance of the TE11 mode is equal to
√
η 120π/ 2.56
Z11 = 
h
 2 = = 586.56 ohms
fc 0.4017
1−
f

e. Since the next higher-order TEmn mode is the TE21 , the bandwidth of single TE11 mode operation
is
BW = 3.0542/1.8412 : 1 = 1.6588 : 1

9.2.2 Transverse Magnetic (TMz ) Modes

The transverse magnetic to z (TMz ) modes can be derived in a similar manner as the TEz modes
of Section 9.2.1 by letting

A = âz Az (ρ, φ, z ) (9-17a)

F=0 (9-17b)
 CIRCULAR WAVEGUIDE 489

The vector potential A must satisfy the vector wave equation of (3-48), which reduces for the A
of (9-17a) to
∇ 2 Az (ρ, φ, z ) + β 2 Az (ρ, φ, z ) = 0 (9-18)

The solution of (9-18) is obtained in a manner similar to that of (9-2), as given by (9-4), and it
can be written as

Az (ρ, φ, z ) = [A1 Jm (βρ ρ) + B1 Ym (βρ ρ)]

!
×[C2 cos(mφ) + D2 sin(mφ)] A3 e −j βz z + B3 e +j βz z (9-19)

with the constraint (dispersion) equation expressed as

βρ2 + βz2 = β 2 (9-19a)

The constants A1 , B1 , C2 , D2 , A3 , B3 , m, βρ , and βz can be found using the following boundary

conditions
Eφ (ρ = a, φ, z ) = 0 (9-20a)

or
Ez (ρ = a, φ, z ) = 0 (9-20b)

The fields must be finite everywhere (9-20c)

The fields must repeat every 2π radians in φ (9-20d)

According to (9-20c), B1 = 0 since Ym (ρ = 0) = ∞. In addition, according to (9-20d),

m = 0, 1, 2, 3, . . . (9-21)

Considering waves that propagate only in the +z direction, (9-19) reduces to

A+
z (ρ, φ, z ) = Bmn Jm (βρ ρ)[C2 cos(mφ) + D2 sin(mφ)]e
−j βz z
(9-22)

The eigenvalues of βρ can be obtained by applying either (9-20a) or (9-20b). Use of (6-70) and
(9-22) allows us to write the electric field component Ez+ as
 2 
+ 1 ∂
Ez = −j + β A+
2
ωμε ∂z 2 z

βρ2
= −jBmn Jm (βρ ρ)[C2 cos(mφ) + D2 sin(mφ)]e −j βz z (9-23)
ωμε
Application of the boundary condition (9-20b) and use of (9-23) gives
βρ2
Ez+ (ρ = a, φ, z ) = −jBmn Jm (βρ a)[C2 cos(mφ) + D2 sin(mφ)]e −j βz z = 0 (9-24)
ωμε
which is only satisfied provided that
χmn
Jm (βρ a) = 0 ⇒ βρ a = χmn ⇒ βρ = (9-25)
a
In (9-25), χmn represents the nth zero (n = 1, 2, 3, . . .) of the Bessel function Jm of the first kind
and of order m (m = 0, 1, 2, 3, . . .). An abbreviated list of the zeroes χmn of the Bessel function
Jm is found in Table 9-2. The smallest value of χmn is 2.4049 (m = 0, n = 1), followed by 3.8318
(m = 1, n = 1), 5.1357 (m = 2, n = 1), etc.
490 CIRCULAR CROSS-SECTION WAVEGUIDES AND CAVITIES

TABLE 9-2 Zeroes χmn of Jm (χmn ) = 0 (n = 1, 2, 3, . . .) of Bessel function Jm (x )

m=0 m=1 m=2 m=3 m=4 m=5 m=6 m=7 m=8 m=9 m = 10 m = 11

n =1 2.4049 3.8318 5.1357 6.3802 7.5884 8.7715 9.9361 11.0864 12.2251 13.3543 14.4755 15.5898
n =2 5.5201 7.0156 8.4173 9.7610 11.0647 12.3386 13.5893 14.8213 16.0378 17.2412 18.4335 19.6160
n =3 8.6537 10.1735 11.6199 13.0152 14.3726 15.7002 17.0038 18.2876 19.5545 20.8071 22.0470 23.2759
n =4 11.7915 13.3237 14.7960 16.2235 17.6160 18.9801 20.3208 21.6415 22.9452 24.2339 25.5095 26.7733
n =5 14.9309 16.4706 17.9598 19.4094 20.8269 22.2178 23.5861 24.9349 26.2668 27.5838 28.8874 30.1791

By using (9-19a) and (9-25), βz can be written as

⎧
⎪   χ 2 χmn
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ β 2 − βρ2 = β 2 − mn when β > βρ = (9-26a)
⎪
⎪ a a
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎨ χmn
(βz )mn = 0 when β = βc = βρ = (9-26b)
⎪
⎪ a
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ 
⎪
⎪  χmn 2 χmn
⎪
⎪
⎩ − j βρ − β = −j
2 2 − β2 when β < βρ = (9-26c)
a a
By following the same procedure as for the TEz modes, we can write the expressions for the
cutoff frequencies (fc )mn , propagation constant (βz )mn , and guide wavelength (λg )mn as

χmn
(fc )mn = √ (9-27)
2πa με

⎧  
⎪
⎪  2  2
⎪
⎪ β ρ βc
⎪
⎪ β − βρ = β 1 −
2 2 =β 1−
⎪
⎪ β β
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪  
⎪
⎪    2
⎪
⎪ χmn 2 fc
⎪
⎪ =β 1− =β 1− (9-28a)
⎪
⎪ βa f
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ when f > fc = (fc )mn
⎪
⎨
(βz )mn = 0 when f = fc = (fc )mn (9-28b)
⎪
⎪  
⎪
⎪  2  2
⎪
⎪  βρ βc
⎪
⎪ − j β 2 − β 2 = −j β
⎪
⎪ ρ − 1 = −j β −1
⎪
⎪ β β
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪  
⎪
⎪  2  2
⎪
⎪ χ fc
⎪
⎪ = −j β mn
− 1 = −j β −1 (9-28c)
⎪
⎪ βa f
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎩
when f < fc = (fc )mn

⎧
⎪ 2π λ
⎪
⎪  = when f > fc = (fc )mn (9-29a)
⎪
⎨    2
fc 2 fc
(λg )mn = β 1− 1−
⎪
⎪ f f
⎪
⎪
⎩
∞ when f = fc = (fc )mn (9-29b)
 CIRCULAR WAVEGUIDE 491

According to (9-27) and the values of χmn of Table 9-2, the order (lower to higher cutoff
frequencies) in which the TMz modes occur is TM01 , TM11 , TM21 , and so forth. The bandwidth
of the first single-mode TMz01 operation is 3.8318/2.4049 = 1.5933 : 1, which is also less than
2 : 1. Comparing the cutoff frequencies of the TEz and TMz modes, as given by (9-12a) and
(9-27) along with the data of Tables 9-1 and 9-2, the order of the TEzmn and TMzmn modes is
  
that of TE11 (χ11 = 1.8412), TM01 (χ01 = 2.4049), TE21 (χ21 = 3.0542), TE01 (χ01 = 3.8318) =

TM11 (χ11 = 3.8318), TE31 (χ31 = 4.2012), and so forth. The dominant mode is TE11 and its
bandwidth of single-mode operation is 2.4049/1.8412 = 1.3062 : 1, which is much smaller than
2 : 1. Plots of the field configurations over a cross section of the waveguide, both E and H , for
the first 30 TEzmn and/or TMzmn modes are shown in Figure 9-2 [1].
It is apparent that the cutoff frequencies of the TE0n and TM1n modes are identical; therefore,
they are referred to here also as degenerate modes. This is because the zeroes of the derivative of
the Bessel function J0 are identical to the zeroes of the Bessel function J1 . To demonstrate this,
let us examine the derivative of J0 (βρ ρ) evaluated at ρ = a. Using (IV-19) we can write that

d  
   
 
  J0 βρ ρ
ρ=a = J0 βρ a = −J1 βρ ρ
ρ=a = −J1 βρ a (9-30)
d βρ ρ

which vanishes when

 
J0 βρ a = 0 ⇒ βρ a = χ0n

, n = 1, 2, 3, . . . (9-30a)

or
 
J1 βρ a = 0 ⇒ βρ a = χ1n , n = 1, 2, 3, . . . (9-30b)

The electric and magnetic field components can be written, using (6-70) and (9-22), as

1 ∂ 2 A+ βρ βz   
Eρ+ = −j z
= −Bmn Jm βρ ρ [C2 cos(mφ) + D2 sin(mφ)] e −j βz z
ωμε ∂ρ ∂z ωμε
(9-31a)
1 1 ∂ 2 A+mβz  
Eφ+ = −j = −Bmnz
Jm βρ ρ [−C2 sin(mφ) + D2 cos(mφ)] e −j βz z
ωμε ρ ∂φ ∂z ωμερ
(9-31b)
 2 
1 ∂
Ez+ = −j + β 2 A+
ωμε ∂z 2 z

βρ2  
= −jBmn Jm βρ ρ [C2 cos(mφ) + D2 sin(mφ)] e −j βz z (9-31c)
ωμε
1 1 ∂A+ m1  
Hρ+ = z
= Bmn Jm βρ ρ [−C2 sin(mφ) + D2 cos(mφ)] e −j βz z (9-31d)
μ ρ ∂φ μρ
+
1 ∂Az βρ  
Hφ+ =− = −Bmn Jm βρ ρ [C2 cos(mφ) + D2 sin(mφ)] e −j βz z (9-31e)
μ ∂ρ μ
Hz+ = 0 (9-31f)

where
 ∂
≡   (9-31g)
∂ βρ ρ
494 CIRCULAR CROSS-SECTION WAVEGUIDES AND CAVITIES

By using (9-31a) through (9-31f), the wave impedance in the +z direction can be written as

 +z TM Eρ+ Eφ+ (βz )mn

Zw mn = + = − + = (9-32)
Hφ Hρ ωε

With the aid of (9-28a) through (9-28c), the wave impedance of (9-32) reduces to
⎧ 
⎪  2
⎪
⎪ fc
⎪
⎪
⎪ β 1−   2

 2
⎪
⎪ f μ f fc
⎪
⎪ = 1−
c
=η 1− (9-32a)
⎪
⎪ ωε ε
⎪
⎪
f f
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ when f > fc = (fc )mn
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎨
 +z TM 0
Zw mn = =0 when f = fc = (fc )mn (9-32b)
⎪ ωε
⎪
⎪
⎪  
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎪ fc 2
⎪
⎪ −j β −1   2 
⎪
⎪  2
⎪
⎪ f μ f fc
⎪
⎪ = −j
c
− 1 = −j η −1 (9-32c)
⎪
⎪ ωε ε f f
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎩
when f < fc = (fc )mn
Examining (9-32a) through (9-32c), we can make the following statements about the wave
impedance for the TMz modes.

1. Above cutoff it is real and smaller than the intrinsic impedance of the medium inside the
waveguide.
2. At cutoff it is zero.
3. Below cutoff it is imaginary and capacitive. This indicates that the waveguide below cutoff
behaves as a capacitor that is an energy storage element.

The form of (Zw+z )TM

mn , as given by (9-32a) through (9-32c), and as a function of fc /f , where
fc is the cutoff frequency of that mode, is the same as the (Zw+z )TM z
mn for the TMmn modes of a
rectangular waveguide, as given by (8-29a) through (8-29c). A plot of (9-32a) through (9-32c)
for any one TMzmn mode as a function of fc /f , is shown in Figure 8-2.

Example 9-2
Design a circular waveguide filled with a lossless dielectric medium of dielectric constant 4. The
waveguide must operate in a single dominant mode over a bandwidth of 1 GHz.

1. Find its radius (in cm).

2. Determine the lower, center, and upper frequencies of the bandwidth.
Solution:

a. The dominant mode is the TE11 mode whose cutoff frequency according to (9-12a) is

z χ11 1.8412(30 × 109 )
11 =
(fc )TE √ = √
2πa με 2π(a) 4
 CIRCULAR WAVEGUIDE 495

The next higher-order mode is the TM01 mode whose cutoff frequency according to (9-27) is

z χ01 2.4049(30 × 109 )

(fc )TM
01 = √ = √
2πa με 2π(a) 4
The difference between the two must be 1 GHz. To accomplish this, the radius of the waveguide
must be equal to

(2.4049 − 1.8412)30 × 109

√ = 1 × 109 ⇒ a = 1.3457 cm
2π(a) 4
b. The lower, upper, and center frequencies of the bandwidth are equal to

z 1.8412(30 × 109 )
f = (fc )TE
11 = = 3.2664 × 109 = 3.2664 GHz
2π(1.3457)2
z 2.4049(30 × 109 )
fu = (fc )TM
01 = = 4.2664 × 109 = 4.2664 GHz
2π(1.3457)2
f0 = f + 0.5 × 109 = fu − 0.5 × 109 = 3.7664 × 109 = 3.7664 GHz

Whenever a given mode is desired, it is necessary to design the proper feed to excite the
fields within the waveguide and detect the energy associated with such a mode. Maximization
of the energy exchange or transfer is accomplished by designing the feed, which is usually a
probe or antenna, so that its field pattern matches that of the field configuration of the desired
mode. Usually the probe is placed near the maximum of the field pattern of the desired mode;
however, that position may be varied somewhat in order to achieve some desired matching in
the excitation and detection systems. Shown in Figure 9-3 are suggested designs to excite and/or
detect the TE11 and TM01 modes in a circular waveguide, to transition between the TE10 of a
rectangular waveguide and the TE11 mode of a circular waveguide, and to couple between the
TE10 of a rectangular waveguide and TM01 mode of a circular waveguide.

9.2.3 Attenuation
The attenuation in a circular waveguide can be obtained by using techniques similar to those
for the rectangular waveguide, as outlined and applied in Section 8.2.5. The basic equation is
(8-64a), or
Pc / P
(αc )mn = = (9-33)
2Pmn 2Pmn
which is based on the configuration of Figure 8-9.
It has been shown that the attenuation coefficients of the TE0n (n = 1, 2, . . .) modes in a circular
waveguide monotonically decrease as a function of frequency [2, 3]. This is a very desirable
characteristic, and because of this the excitation, propagation, and detection of TE0n modes in
a circular waveguide have received considerable attention. It can be shown that the attenuation
coefficients for the TEzmn and TMzmn modes inside a circular waveguide are given, respectively, by
TEzmn
  
z Rs fc 2 m2
(αc )TE =   2 +  2 Np/m (9-34a)
mn
fc f (χmn ) − m 2
aη 1 −
f
496 CIRCULAR CROSS-SECTION WAVEGUIDES AND CAVITIES

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

Figure 9-3 Excitation of TEmn and TMmn modes in a circular waveguide. (a) TE11 mode. (b) TM01 mode.
(c) TE10 (rectangular)-TE11 (circular). (d ) TE10 (rectangular)-TM01 (circular).

TMzmn

z Rs 1
(αc )TM
mn =   2 Np/m (9-34b)
aη fc
1−
f

Plots of the attenuation coeficient versus the normalized frequency f /fc , where fc is the cutoff
frequency of the dominant TE11 mode, are shown for six modes in Figures 9-4a and 9-4b for
waveguide radii of 1.5 and 3 cm, respectively. Within the waveguide is free space and its walls
are made of copper (σ = 5.7 × 107 S/m).

Example 9-3
Derive the attenuation coefficient for the TE01 mode inside a circular waveguide of radius a.
Solution: According to (9-15a) through (9-15g), the electric and magnetic field components for the
TE01 (m = 0, n = 1) mode reduce to

Eρ+ = Ez+ = Hφ+ = 0

A01   
Eφ+ = βρ J0 βρ ρ e −j βz z
ε
βρ βz   
Hρ+ = −A01 J βρ ρ e −j βz z
ωμε 0
βρ2  
Hz+ = −jA01 J0 βρ ρ e −j βz z
ωμε
 CIRCULAR WAVEGUIDE 497

where

χ01 3.8318
βρ = =
a a
Using these equations, the power through a cross section of the waveguide is equal to

1 !
P01 = Re (E × H∗ ) • d s
2 A0

1  ∗ !
= Re âφ Eφ × âρ Hρ + âz Hz • â ds
z
2 A0

     2
1 2π a   πβz βρ2 a χ01
P01 = − Re Eφ Hρ∗ ρ d ρ d φ = |A01 |2 J0 ρ ρ dρ
2 0 0 ωμε 2 0 a
Since
dJp (cx ) p
= −Jp+1 (cx ) + Jp (cx )
d (cx ) cx
then      
  
χ01 d χ01 χ01
J0 ρ =  J0 ρ = −J1 ρ
a d (χ01 ρ/a) a a
Thus
  2    
πβz χ01 a χ01
P01 = |A01 |2 J12 ρ ρ dρ
ωμε 2 a 0 a
Since
 c
x2  2 
c

xJp2 (cx ) dx = Jp (cx ) − Jp−1 (cx ) Jp+1 (cx )

b 2 b

then
   
a χ01 a2 2         !
ρJ12 ρ dρ = J1 χ01 − J0 χ01 J2 χ01
0 a 2
a2       a2 2   
=− J0 χ01 J2 χ01 = J χ
2 2 0 01
because
  
J12 χ01 = J12 (3.8318) = 0
     
J2 χ01 = −J0 χ01

Therefore, the power of the TE01 can be written as

πβz   2 2   
P01 = |A01 |2 χ J χ
2ωμε 2 01 0 01
The power dissipated on the walls of the waveguide is obtained using
  
Rs Rs  2π
Pc = (Js • J∗s )ρ=a ds = |Js |2ρ=a a d φ dz
2 Sw 2 0 0
where
βρ2  
Js |ρ=a = n̂ × H+ |ρ=a = âφ Hz+ |ρ=a = −âφ j A01 J0 βρ a e −j βz z
ωμε
498 CIRCULAR CROSS-SECTION WAVEGUIDES AND CAVITIES

Thus, 0 12   
2 Rs
βρ2    2π
Pc = |A01 | aJ02 χ01 d φ dz
2 ωμε 0 0

or   2
 2   
Pc πRs χ01
= P = |A01 |2 3 J02 χ01
 a ωμε

Therefore, the attenuation coefficient of (9-33) for the TE01 mode can now be written as
 2
fc
R s f
α01 (TEz ) =   2 Np/m
aη fc
1−
f

It is evident from the results of the preceding example that as fc /f becomes smaller, the
attenuation coefficient decreases monotonically (as shown in Figure 9-4), which is a desirable
characteristic. It should be noted that similar monotonically decreasing variations in the attenu-
ation coefficient are evident in all TE0n modes (n = 1, 2, 3, . . .). According to (9-15a) through
(9-15f), the only tangential magnetic field components to the conducting surface of the waveguide
for all these TE0n (m = 0) modes is the Hz component, while the electric field lines are circular.
Therefore, these modes are usually referred to as circular electric modes. For a constant power
in the wave, the Hz component decreases as the frequency increases and approaches zero at infi-
nite frequency. Simultaneously, the current density and conductor losses on the waveguide walls
also decrease and approach zero. Because of this attractive feature, these modes have received
considerable attention for long distance propagation of energy, especially at millimeter wave fre-
quencies. Typically, attenuations as low as 1.25 dB/km (2 dB/mi) have been attained [2]. This is
to be compared with attenuations of 120 dB/km for WR90 copper rectangular waveguides, and
3 dB/km at 0.85 μm, and less than 0.5 dB/km at 1.3 μm for fiber optics cables.
Although the TE0n modes are very attractive from the attenuation point of view, there are a
number of problems associated with their excitation and retention. One of the problems is that
the TE01 mode, which is the first of the TE0n modes, is not the dominant mode. Therefore, in
order for this mode to be above its cutoff frequency and propagate in the waveguide, a number
of other modes (such as the TE11 , TM01 , TE21 , and TM11 ) with lower cutoff frequencies can
also exist. Additional modes can also be present if the operating frequency is chosen well above
the cutoff frequency of the TE01 mode in order to provide a margin of safety from being too
close to its cutoff frequency.
To support the TE01 mode, the waveguide must be oversized and it can support a number
of other modes. One of the problems faced with such a guide is how to excite the desired
TE01 mode with sufficient purity and suppress the others. Another problem is how to prevent
coupling between the TE01 mode and undesired modes that can exist since the guide is oversized.
The presence of the undesired modes causes not only higher losses but dispersion and attenuation
distortion to the signal since each exhibits different phase velocities and attenuation. Irregularities
in the inner geometry, surface, and direction (such as bends, nonuniform cross sections, etc.) of
the waveguide are the main contributors to the coupling to the undesired modes. However, for
the guide to be of any practical use, it must be able to sustain and propagate the desired TE01 and
other TE0n modes efficiently over bends of reasonable curvature. One technique that has been
 CIRCULAR WAVEGUIDE 499

10.00 86.86
TE01
TE02
TE11
TE21
7.50 65.14
TM01
TM11
Attenuation (Np × 103/m)

Attenuation (dB × 103/m)

s = 5.7 × 107 S/m

5.00 43.43

2.50 21.71

0.00 0.00
0.00 5.00 10.00 15.00 20.00
Normalized frequency (f/f TE
c11 )

(a)

10.00 86.86
TE01
TE02
TE11
TE21
7.50 65.14
TM01
Attenuation (dB × 103/m)

TM11
Attenuation (Np × 103/m)

s = 5.7 × 107 S/m

43.43
5.00

2.50 21.71

0.00 0.00
0.00 5.00 10.00 15.00 20.00
TE
Normalized frequency ( f/ fc11 )

(b)

Figure 9-4 Attenuation for TEzmn and TMzmn modes in a circular waveguide. (a) a = 1.5 cm. (b) a = 3 cm.