.

CHAPTER

Plane Waves at Media

Interface

In the previous chapter, we studied the solution of Maxwell’szz equations for time
varying fields in an unbound medium. We found that the time vary ing fields exist
in the form of a plane transverse electromagnetic wave in an infinite medium. For
our convenience, we oriented the coordinate system to align with the direction of
the wave motion and studied the behavior of electric and magnetic fields in the
plane transverse to the direction of the wave propagation. The arbitrary orientation
of the coordinate axis was possible, because, in an infinite medium, there is no
special direction as the medium looks same in all directions. This is obviously
a hypothetical situation. In practice, we never see a medium which is uniform
in all directions. In the next few chapters, we will gradually make the medium
boond and try to capture the KM wave in a completely closed space. The first step
towards this would be to make the medium semi -infinite, i.e. divide the space into
• wo semi infinite regions with different medium properties and study the behavior
-
of a plane wave at die interface of the two regions. Specifically, we investigate
|
,
5,nsfer of fields and power from one medium
to another. In this chapter, we
wave nature of the wave
P^ider over die question like “ What happens to the plane
energy is transported to the second
* interface T “ What fraction of the wave of the wave”, etc. and trv to find
4i he

te'vliurnT “ What happens to the polarization

answers
no more symmetric, the ctxirdinate axes
,

** very clear that since , space isorient the coordinate axes along the media
*nn/* be 'merited arbitrarily. If we
#

direction ( not along any of

travelling in an arbitrary

^ 01
dace, die w;jvc
.
wjjj
^
4 i ,if if ijy coordinate axes are
HUAU /U the axes will have arbitrary
'
oriented to gel one of the axes along the
orientation with respect to the media
are aligned along the interface and the
eocrally, the coordinate axes respect to the media interface. It is,
^
u mturned to travel at an angle with
 Electronic wave which is uaVe||
202 funct ion for a i
form ulate ihL- WilVC l
rdina te axes.
therefore, necess ary to
cl to the °
c0

alan arbitrary
angle with re. p

Phase-front
or constant phase
plane
<P:
>
Q
y
oj
<t>y

arbitrary direction with respect to the coordinate

Fig. 5.1 Wave travelling in an
axes.

5.1 PLANE WAVE IN ARBITRARY DIREC

TION
by a phase front which is i
As we have seen earlier, a plane wave is described
plane perpendicular to the direction of the wave motion
. As shown in Fig. 5.1, let
vectorin
us consider a wave travelling in some arbitrary direction, and let the unit
the direction of wave motion be denoted by n. If the unit vector n makes angles
<t>z respectively with the three axes rj zwe have .
n = cos ( j)xx + cos ( pyy -f cos ( f>zz (5.1)

where cos ( j>x , cos (f> y and cos ( j>z are called the direction cosines of the vector n.
The planes perpendicular to n are then the phase fronts or the constant phase
planes. Let us consider one of the phase fronts as shown in Fig. 5.1, and let any
point P on the plane have coordinates ( , y z ) . The vector OP can be written as
* %

(5.2)
OP = xx -f vy + zz = r
From Fig. 5.1 we can see that the dot product

—
fi OP = n r = |OA| (5.3)

ESLX’fZS" n OP = ft r =
constant
-- -- -
= Normal distance of the plane from the origin

•
< «. **
->
(5 4
 * Si -
' '"V.s '
If "o «»m«e that PlWs<f of Inter
tv

" »IH « OA Will

The electric field of * p|anc

where E* is a constant vector

m i -«
'
^15'^,.'Hhtd
'" '“’wilonA ,
Mr *
K
> p

. 4
,
»» H » ,MI he Nv
( Ml
* iMrn n „
J WPSSS
„v is
M; "
( 10 )

If we now define the V0«

Ko A *
0

as wprapagMiHn ( V7 >
w #ve vector )
k = /ifl + «» COS ,/,. > )
= /fcos 0,s +
the electric field can
be written as ^ C0S <
M + /icos .J
^ ( VH )

with = Eoe-Mo +VvH * )

( VO )

Eo • k = o
( 3.10)

(
^ ^
From Hqns (5 9) "nU (5 10)
as taken in the previous chapter
becomes
°,? ^'’ *TfV=th^ c”s ^.v. anil Jt = /1 0..
.
) <f> T<”
~
‘ '* the wave travels i » +.direction
1
i
U
Jni &=
, COH

and the wave vector

°|
k = (c s
^ ( ) + cos (i) j. + cos
j
( O) z )
= ( 5.11 )
Tlie corresponding electric field can then be written as
E = Eee- ^" = E e-^ 0 „, , j

The magnetic field of a wave can be obtained bv substituting in

K the Maxwell’s
Ration
1
H= VxE
jW
x y z

= -Jjwn- h h h (5.13)

Ex Ey Ez
204 Electromagnetic Waves

Ex = E[ ) xc ~ jkr , Ey = E0 ye- jkr and Et = E0z <? !

jk r
where
“
, and k .
55
kyy + kzz .
Since EQX , E )y , £0. arc constants,
{

3.V
Operator —0 = ~ j k x , -U
5 )
Similarly, wc can get

f-
Oy
3
~ Jky

YZS ~ A
Substituting for partial derivative operators in Eqn (5.13), the magnetic field
c
be written as ^
1
H= VxE
jajg

1
X y z
= —:— — jkx — jky — jkz
E, Ey Ez

—(
1
= - J Ofl|- jkxE|= -
coil
kxE
1

From Eqn (5.15) wc can note that H is perpendicular to both k and E and since
(5.15)

E is perpendicular to k , the three vectors E, H and k are perpendicular to each

other (Transverse electromagnetic wave).
Since, the wave vector = = (Oy
/ JIeh, and y/ jije = i) (intrinsic impedance
of the medium ), Eqn (5.15) yields

Fig. 5.2 Transverse nature of electromagnetic wave and constant pMse

planes.
 Plane Wiwea nl Media Interface 20 r,

i
(O f i A x f:
tOfl
A X K
H 5.16)
(
>1

a
( flxE )e - AT ,
= IM- >kr

.
(5.17)

^ .
X &> = |K« I. 'he magniludeof (he rmgnc ic field|H |i «p»l to|E |/<I. ,. .
S e
Sinc I * '
' pgure 5.2 shows he constant phase plane, for a transverse electromagnetic
'.
\V3 C

A 400 MHz uniform plane wave is travelling in free space

AMPLE 5.1 which makes 60° angle with the x -axis and 45 angle with
ng a direction
'

h y axis. Find
-elect the expressions for the vector electric and magnetic fields .
Vhe ric field is linearly polarized and has a peak amplitude of 10 V/m
-
component of the field is twice the y-component of the field.
.

\lso the x

Solution:
velocity of the wave is 3 x 10* m /s.
In free space, the
x 106
—» = 2TT x3 400
/H3 = 3 x-10— x 10s
8.T
= y rad /m.
The direction cosines of the wave normal are
1
cos <px = cos 60° = -
2
cos (py — cos 45° = —V1—2
Since,
cos2 (f )x + cos2 ( py + cos2 <pz = 1
I
we get, cos2 ( pz = \ ~

1
^
cos <Pz =
2
The unit vector along the direction of the wave normal is

The electric field is given by

ifikr
E = E%e~
 ; WvrivmuwmTm 111it vs

Kf x perpendicular to the wave normal .

a constant vector

—
K# E(\\4 } f.ovj b
- ^ the wave is linearis polarized Fn% £ov and
N
•

HIIMII|| |„,
%
^
( :

Therefore. \s :Vut losing generality, let us assume them to he real " Ntil^
Since, for uniform plane ssase is perpendicular to rt , wo have
x
E* = + ^£(U ,
+ n
Q Ov , Fi\i _
* T VI i " '

*1)
fe i> given that.
£Vh = - £ 0v *
( 2)

and the peak amplitude = y E-jv + Ely + £it = 10 V / m (

0)
Solving v 1 k U ) and r3k sve get.
Eftc = 4.9 V / m
E0v = 2.45 V / m
E0 *
= -8.37 V/ m
and the vector electric field is given as
_
E = (4.9x + 2.45? - 8.37z)e
.
Using Eqn (5.15) the vector magnetic field can be obtained as
/
^ (J+
7!+ i )

H = ——
( OH o
(k x E) = —on
( o
(n x Eo )e ~ Jfih r
x y z
=\ S i
|1.5496 0.7748
>/2 i ejhnr
-2.64541
= pi (-7.14x + 6.63y - 2.24z)e “ j! [1 3
f +7!+!) A / m
^
[Note: The intrinsic impedance of the free-space is is
^/ HO / ^O = 120TT.1
5.1.1 Phase Velocity and Wavelength
As seen in the previous section, the choice of coordinate system is generally gu>
by the media boundaries, etc. and the wave travels in an arbitrary direction. I
however; useful to find the velocity of the wave along the principal coordin
*^ ^
axes. As will be seen in the following sections, the phase velocity of a wave aJ<w
the principal axes is not a simple vector resolution of the phase velocity of 1 ^
VV .OC
. The phase
axis
velocity
.
u|
rn „,
an UHIH U the
•' i Inn
Oloclty of l||t
•xtrj -
along that
wave " constant phavi
ct ns consider a with
.wave ,
l.
given by (see Hun ( 5.‘> ))
VOc r k .
" The ol »lc Held l
^ Hi wave is ' ,„, .
K «1V J* r
*a Kw <* *i/** *.'*»*0 <
• ^ . tfly m ,/

, ,„
#
*
c s now flml the pHtwe velocity ttlong|
t lc •/, w > ltinn Px|n (5, lt) We
l£ » Eoe gel
* » < <»*,
•

. VO things should bc notcti from &|n ( f> *) ): .»

(5.19)

^1. In the xy plane (plane perpendicular to z

-
So jcy plan© not a constant phase plane
-dircction ) the phase is not constant.
The phase constant along ’/ -direction is
.
T

. c coS > is always less

/:
(
kz /1 cos 0,.
than or equal to unity, is always
-
-
velocity in the ^ direction is therefore
kz // . The phase
cu n ,
V=T ( 5.21 ) )
Vn
kz cos f ), fi cos ifa (

where Vo is the phase velocity of the wave in the direction k , i.c. actual phase
velocity of the wave.
Similarly, we can get the phase velocities of the wave along the x and y
directions as
a> cu wo
V = kx T (i cos <f )x cos f>x (
( 5.21 )

ft ) a) V()
Vny = ( 5.22)
ky P COS ( py COS ( py
It is interesting to notice that since, |cos 0,1, |cos 0 v|, |cos 0:| < 1 , the
velocities vpx , vpy , vpz are always greater than or equal to i’0. In fact when any
to 0 and the
of the angles 0, , 0y , ( f )z TT / 2, the cosines of these angles tend
on the phase velocity
corresponding velocities approach infinity. The bounds
therefore are
( 5.23 )
no 5: Vpx * npy , vpz < oo
l hc Wavelength of the wave in .t , y, z directions are
respectively
_ V = J o_
*
V n
/
, __ COS 0T

Xy “ f C O S (py

—
( 5.24 )
xA* y = cos < k

.
Nvhere, X0= v0// is the wavelength of the wave
 10 H M»ir,muniii* iii‘ W »»m
I 'h m (.n . JJ l ) mill ( 1,M ) wc ulioiflit iw »li» Him flu? |>li/i*»c
"
'- i i , ,, , uimiidiii iniiioillroollonoftfw wav# motion
,v ' i
, llir |||<„i T
vo OOIUUIIM iho unhiiuinl IIKMIIIIIII IIH Ihe fW *flpiire
)
ll (

' (
VIM •< ’ 11111 ) ,- KqiiMlIonn 1.2 i )'
lho wave Is is » 'lority ol llplil In
f |( j
|

yield
« (\(
^
l / n i V / IVI Vpi * 00
i* *

’ ,}
%,
wonM 1 Ih' ii wonder 11110 “how (lie velocity IM greater than ulf. Vf i
'
V IU'
li hi, .uul ifwo can achieve liillnllc velocity run we send information wjl1 N
^
N|svil?* * The answer u> this question can he oblaiiied from Fig , .5 j 'Hi/. ^
K

«1
A

(h)
Fig. 5.3 Phaso fronts for a uniform piano wavo In tho yz -piano.

For geometrical simplicity let us consider a plane wave travelling in the yz -

plane ( Fig. 5.3(a )). Let a wavefront intersect the y axis at point A at time t t .
After a time At the point A moves to A'. The phase front now intersects the y -axis
- =,
at B' which corresponds to point B at the wavefront at time t t\ Similarly, the
= .
-
wave front intersects the c axis at point C which corresponds to point C on the
wavefront at t — t \ . While calculating the phase velocity along y-direction or
-direction. we do not actually find the distance travelled by a particular point on
the wavefront but find the distance between two different points on the wavefront.
Consequently, we get a velocity which appears to violate the physical laws ( like
velocity > c). The velocity of energy corresponds to the distance travelled by point
A from A to A'. It is interesting to note from Fig. 5.3 that as the angle <f>y increases
the distance AB' increases but the distance DC' decreases. Consequently, the phase
velocity uv increases but the phase velocity decreases and for py - AlV
- 00. For Ar -* 0 the distance DC’ and consequently vz 0 but in* this
< * case
>

also vy -* co. We can therefore conclude that the phase velocity is not a velocity
>
-
of a physical point on the wavefront and hence is not guided by the physical la
Obviously, then we can not send information with infinite speed or for that malte
with a speed greater than the velocity of light. .
It is worthwhile to ctsk. u question nt this juncture thut < with whut velocity 5 4
^
the point A move along the y -axis?” Since the point A moves with velocity w ^
 Plane IVVJvcs
at
Merlin rntcrfaCe
the directi°n of k , its velocity in -direction is
y
209
vny = a » COS lV
is
A the group velocity 0 r
of the
the y'
ion. The group
dirCCcfront
on *** NVa% Cfront and
velocity
therefore
wave and v „
corresponds to denotes the group velocity
gives the
(5.26)

Eqns (5.26), the physical in

r -in sCCn speed
^ «nd u, . vKy
- - From Eqns (5.22 is always
) and (
Lss
with
than
motion
which the energy of a point
or equal to i< travels. As *
5.26) we o- The same is
v y vpy notc that
In fact , Eqn ( 5.27 ) is true for * =
any arbitrary
vj
(5.27)
3 general statement that ‘ the
product direction
any • ction is equal to the square of the group andand hence we can make
of the the phase
edual
^
figure - shows the exclusive
vefocity of domains of
velocity
vp and u .
of the wave in thevelocities in
medium *. *
M to the velocity of wave in the medium, * vp is always greater than
the

^ Ur the wave in whereas , is or

0, vpalso -> u0. the medium. As U, > 0, always
- less than
vp - . and as
* 00

Gr°up velocity
Phase velocity
0
vt VP

v0
Fig. 5.4
Domains of VP 3nd i>
?

EXAMPLE 5.2
-
^electric ”edium
^— '
E = ( j V5x 2y -
°
, ,
P eXVeC re eCtnC and

+ f yz)e“-,002 (Jt+v/3;)
'
magnetic

jT
fields in an ideal

Show that these

and
’
velocity
-directions. Find
Solution:
of the wave.
H

^= (V3x

fields correspond to a
+ j 2y - i)f -/ooi,( «+v5;)
uniform plane wave. Find
Also find the phase velocities
the state of polarization
frequency
along the r. y and
of the wave.
For
uniform plane wave E,
Cr‘ H and the wave normal are
tyc
no,Therefore
e from . E H, E- n and II n should be zero. perpendicular to each
the field expressions
that

n •r —^
1
2
x >/5z )
210 Electromagnetic Waves

wave

.30

/ =0
60
2

Rotation of vector

* = 774

Fig. 5.5 Figure for Example 5.2

1
=>
E H = (-;3 + ;4 -;) = 0
E n = (-; y + ;

„H n. =1 , V3 V3
(
30 T l
^
- -) 0
^
^ )=0

=
The fields in Fig. 5.5, therefore, represent fields of a uniform plane wave.
Now taking the coefficient of — j in the exponent, we get,
fin r = 0.02TT (X + Viz ) — 0.027T ( X + \/3z)(.rx + zz)
=> -
fin = 0.02n fx + V 3 z ) = 0.04;r

=* p = 0.04TT
The components of E and H are not in time phase and consequently
fields arc not linearly polarized. For the fields the z component lea
-
-
y componcnt by j and as the x -component lags the y -component by n '
some instant when the y-component is at its positive peak, the x-comp‘
and the z -componcnt are zero. At that instant we have
^^
°^
{

E = 2y = • |E| = 2
*
and
1
 MM

\ iUM1\ \ plrtlK* W ;\ \V
N »"' |XM MU
;

in
'

\H \ V ru v tl a
'
130 1 -
\ f »

> t» 16
H>o vehvity of the wave
1
V
s / < 0* 0* 1
3 \ 10s
7* p
0,75 x 10s m/s.
Now wo know that u > 2a f /» \ velocity
= » frequency of the wave
/t voKvity 0.04.7 0.75 x 10s
/=-
\ \
1.5 Mil / .
2r 2' x
Tlio phase velocity along the v -direction
0.75 x 10s -
1
*
r
cos </> x •/
» 1.5
, c
x —-
, ,
10s m/s.

Tlie phase velocity along v direction is -

r r
Vy =
cos(/r / 2 ) =
00
COS </» v

Hie phase velocity along direction is

^-
'

l:
i> _ 0 75 x l ()S
= 0.866 x 10s m / s.
cos 0.
“
73)
“
(
To find the state of polarization of the wave, let us trace the tip of the electric
Held vector. The three components of the electric fields are
Ex = 75 cos
^( —) a» r
— —^ = 73 sin u > f

Ey — 2 cos a t )

E . = cos fo / + = — sin a>t

Let the time period of the signal be T ( T 2 JT / U ) 1 // ).

Al = 0, Ex (), Ey = 2. E: = 0 => I = 2
' =
= = = Ey = 75 = 7; =* |£| = 22 . .
At 1 = T / 8, tor TT / 4 > Et

' .
At = 774 cur 7 / 2 > E, 75,£v =
= = = ^
= - 1 => i n =
 212
Electromagnetic IVoces
, it is the circular p0|,
Since, the \ E\ is constant as a function time ferent times
as show^' N >
, ^^^
j:ei the sense of rotation draw the
fields at dif
we face in the direct ) 8. 5
I he vector rotation is towards the left hand if

^
< n of
Hie wave polarization therefore
, , is Li 1C .

5.2 PLANE WAVE AT DIELECTRIC INTERFACE

In the previous sections we discussed the propagation of a plane vva
* n ,
unbound medium. Let us now consider the propagation of a plane wave' ' 5 1
"

dielectric interface. Let the space be divided into two semi-infinite regj
different medium parameters like the permeability and the permittivity. Let^ ^
assume that both the regions arc loss less, i.e. the conductivity for both
-
is zero. Without losing generality let us orient the coordinate system
01
sinf "
-
the dielectric interface is along the jcy plane passing through z 0 as sh0 . =

\/ Medium 2

Fig. 5.6 Electromagnetic wave at a dielectric interface.

.
Let us denote the region on the left of the interface (z < 0) as region l and let
all its parameters be denoted with suffix 1. Similarly, let the region on the right
of the interface ( z > 0) be denoted as region 2 and let
its parameters be denoted
.
with suffix 2. Then , p \ , \ represent permeability and
permittivity of medium 1
-
respectively and Hi , C L represent corresponding parameters
for medium
Let us now consider a plane wave incident on the
For simplicity let us assume that the wave vector k
interface from medium lsiJe
an angle 0, with the normal to the interface ( in -
lies in the jcz plane and
-
this case z direction). The ang
Qj is called the angle of incidence. The plane
and the normal to the interface is called the plane
the wave vector makes with the three axes are
which contains the wave vectj*
of incidence.The angk** " hu
therefore
^
4>x =- - 0, , , 71
~ 2’ 4>z = 0i ( 01
 plane Waves at
Media Interface
,, iluMi write the Held (electric or magnetic) for thl• * ':t
vVcca n , * wave as
lf » F|0<* Jkrr
wFlO'* ( » «« ,
•# I< cmf|
•
,,
indicates the incident Held
The sll ( nt of the wave in medium 1, Kw
iX , is a constant vector,
(5.30)

and /h i * the
c f\\
.
^ .
phflsC, ° ting for <h •0y />. »nl« Rqn (5.30) / \ ety jL \ t

5l hs ' ( *
we get
Kj — Fi«e )fh .» e«^w /2- fli)+yco»( /2)+ico« flii
__ p *
y/l|( »lnfl Item#,)
*
^ (

( 5.31 )

prom Eqn (5.31) it is clear dial the field is Independent of v

. ..
At the interface i.c. at z = 0, the .phase is constant along y - direction and it
.
linearly increases along he r -d tec on The field magnitude in he ry.plane
therefore is
.
A = Re [ Vye~ Jft x ^ n 0> )
'
= Fioeos( /)|.vsinO/ ) ( 5.32 )
n,e field variation is like a sinusoidally corrugate,I sheet with corrugation -,
oriented along the y-axis as shown in Fig. 5.7.
y

Fig. 5.7 Spatial variation of electric field amplitudo.

00 10 s
* ,nusoida,,y corrugated field is incident at the interface, a Held with
,similar
the hcorrufiatcd
0
variation is
induced on the other side of the interface. This is due
Undary
found ° *
conditi ns which require continuity of the fields at the dielectric
°
SeneraT ^
^Cann f satisfy the boundary
* Can aihfitionally
1C show that both magnetic field and electric field in
conditions without modifying the incident
folds r °
n,crfa °dlCr Wor^s * wc can say that when a plane wave is incident on an
'
intcffjj *
«
C*
fields with similar phase variation are induced on both sides of the
j
and the * ,, rcgion 1 then the total field is the combination of the incident field
ceci fi,e,d, where as in region 2 there is only the induced field. Since,
•
i
<fo ind,,
folds . CCtI fields,are also time varying, they also constitute waves. Hie induced
t 8i
n 1 ilcn ,ormJ a wave moving away from the interface, i .c. back in
i °“ wi Creas hc induced fields in region 2 form a wave going away from the
1
w -
• '' i , )
ntcrfoce jn *
^fiion 2 as shown in Fig. 5.8. Since, both induced waves sec infinite
 B/tvf r» wn« W|tffr
,
214
medium ahead of them they
called the reflected and transmitted
(or turn

Medium I /
w aves rcspevtivd

Medium 2

Transmitted
^ y

Reflected <
/

Incidence •*

'

Interface
Fig. 5.8 Incident , reflected and refracted waves.

We can now note that since the phase variation lor the induced fields is
as that of the incident field at the interface (constant along .’ direction ), the
vectors of the reflected and transmitted waves also lie in the plane containing 2
'-
incident wave vector and the interface normal, i.e. the plane of incidence, 0»
*
can then conclude that, the wave vectors for the incident, reflected and refracted
( transmitted ) waves, and the normal to the interface lie in the same plane. In bci
optics the wave vectors are called the light rays. The reader would then note ths
the above conclusion is nothing but the first law of reflection of light which stass
that ‘the reflected and refracted rays lie in the plane of incidence'.
We have seen earlier that the incident, reflected and refracted waves tnvd
in the same plane, the plane of incidence. We, however, do not know in ah
directions they would be travelling. Let us say that the reflected wave travels had
*
in medium 1 at an angle 0r with respect to the interface normal and the refractei
(transmitted) wave travels in the medium 2 at an angle 0, with respect to e
interface normal, as shown in Fig. 5.9.
*
-
For reflected wave <f>x = IT / 2 0r , </> v = T / 2 and <p , ,T - flr and the ttfi
Fr for the reflected wave can be written as
= .
Fr = FroC
—
^ ^ cos . / 2-
1 (T .
#)r ) + y ct»s( T / 2 ) +;cos(s

sinfl, - jcosflr }
—
Similarly, for the transmitted wave <px
its field can be written as
= TT /2 - 0„ 0 = * / 2. and = * **
V
•

F, = Ftoe-^11* . *<*/2>+ j cos

)+ v «
^ )

= F,0e -/AUsill 0,
’ tfcosti, )
t? M>
-
where, fa
„ .= is lllc phase constant in
medium 2 At die interface . .' •

.
^
at z = 0 the fields must satisfy the boundary
conditions If fields Ft
represent elcetnc fields, their tangential components .
must be continuous
.
the interface. On the other hand If we take F ,.
Fr F as magnetic fields, i
, , '**
'
 I' Lane Waves <ii Media Interface 215
X
Medium 1 Medium 2
Reflected
p l «l.
<7 \ - 0
]/
o2 = Q
\
\ Transmitted

T
%
V
/.
/
Incident
/
reflected waves at a media interface.
Fig. 5.9 Incident, transmitted and

, in the present case, their

their normal components must be continuous. However
tangential components also must be continuous at the
interface since for ideal
worrying about whether F
dielectrics there is no surface current So, without
represents E or H, we can say in general that their
tangential components must
be continuous at the interface. We therefore have
^“ = ,
- ;Azua 9, ( 535 )
+ F* tioe
( ) * (F *W
Suffix ‘tan’ represents the tangential component of the vector
.
, i.e. for every value of
Equation (5.35) is true for every point on the interface
terms are same i.e.
x y. This can happen only if the phases of the three
sin 0, P x=sin 0r h* sin 0, =
PiX \

sin 9i sin 0r= (5.37)

=> 9i Or =
and
( 538 )
p n 0,
Pisin0, 2 =
sin 9
^
, (5.39)
=
£7*7sin 9, reflection that is, *thc angle of
Fr ~ n ($
= >
^
second law of
^^ 37 ) we get the

rJ^^ whe
C

l/
2
ion j
K dea]
*
^
* *0 ,2 ere
/!
Veiy
, lo
CCtncs
n
[be angle of incidence

=^ =2 Vo (
and er 2 are the
free
\
space

7\ "\
permeability
constants
), ( ,
of the two media
dielectric ( refractive index of medium
=
iflg from eqn (4.140) that J* 2), Eqn (5.39) can be
=
( o4rJ and

written as
~~ ^2 ( refractive index of medium
r)l <i £ [ )
*
9
r \ sin i
55 po£0* r 2 sin ^
i
216 Electromagnetic Wat’es

s n Oj = -J ri * Ot
^/iTT * ^ sn
n i sin Oi = >* 2 sin 9,
^
^
Equation ( 5.40 ) is the well known Snell ’s law of refraction . One should how ,.
note that Eqn ( 5.40) is a special case of Eqn (5.39 ) which represents^
generalized Snell ’s law for any loss- less medium .
Once the phases of the three terms in Eqn (5.35 ) are equated the
reduces to
^
( Fio )tan + ( Fro ) lan = ( F,o )tan

That is, the problem of wave propagation across an interface reduces to findin 2
the fields of the three waves at the interface using Eqn ( 5.41 ). From the knowing, "

of Fjo , Fro and Fto we can write the fields at any point in the space. If the pr
is in region 1 the field is a superposition of Fi and Fr whereas, if the point is ja^
region 2 the field is Ft .

EXAMPLE 5.3 A light beam is incident from air to a medium with a

dielectric constant 4 and relative permeability 100. If the angle of incidence «
60° . Find the angle of reflection and angle of refraction .
Solution:
The angle of reflection 9r = angle of incidence 0,- = 60° . From the Snell s law.
'

sin 0, = J\JL 2 2 sin 9,

=> sin 60° = >/ MO ( 100)6O (4) sin 0,
. sin 60°
sin 9 ,=
20
= 0.0433
=> Angle of refraction 9, = 2.48°

5.3 REFLECTION AND REFRACTION OF WAVES AT

DIELECTRIC INTERFACE

In the previous sections, we had a general discussion on the propagation of *

plane wave across a loss-less dielectric interface . Let us now analyze the spec'61
C .T C S of field orientation with respect to the
plane of incidence. As can be
from Fig . 5.10. E and consequently H ) vector can make an arbitrary angle
(
respect to the plane of incidence .
Geometrically, it is quite complicated to handle the fields with arbW3
orientation . Instead , one can elegantly handle the case by decomposing
"
into its components , one in the plane of incidence and other perpendicular to '11
then combining the results for the two components. In the following . fo*
0

pg.5.10 A rave incident at a media im.edace mm s fee jr

respect to the plane of incidence.
- -
-

.
we discuss the two cases ( i ) Electric field in the pLire coincidence il oled
parallel polarization (ii ) Electric field normal to the plane of incidence ilv' caled
perpendicular polarization. Specifically, we are interest in findizz cor ±e vM
amplitudes of the transmitted and the reflected waves for a given Incident v r* e.
Normallv, we carry' out the analysis for the E field and as discussed earner e -
can find the magnetic field as and when needed from the property of thewtfrrm
plane wave. We, therefore, define two parameters of interest namely

Reflection coefficient; T = —Ei

Er -
« 5 . 01

Et
Transmission coefficient: r = — i. 5.41* ' *

.
^d find their values for the parallel and perpendicular polarizations
Polarization
-
S -3 1 Reflection and Refraction with Perpendicular
Ul us consider a plane wave with perpendicular (J.) polarization incident a
;
is >a >
* d'electric interface as shown in Fig. 5.11. The angle ot uwdence
normal) J
which the wave vector makes with the interface “

1' and
As j: . lh, wave vectors of reflected
this case the piane of
PCe of incidence tin
 El0Ctrvmagr*txWlJve*
218
S
Hr cos 0t

Medium®

^
/y
EC
' nTSin 9, //
//
r2
;
(T =0 E,
_ 2* 50 a

^-
Medium®
STH
9, Ht cosV

/
/
:
/,
/,
/
Hj cos 9,
Fig . 5.11 Uniform plane wave with perpendicular polarization at 3
interface.

the paper), and the angle of reflection is same as the angle of incidence. Or
may further argue that since the tangential component of E should be COCCZI-D
at the interface and since, the incident wave has only y-directed electr.c _t
_
-
the reflected and transmitted waves must also have y directed E field ock tf
course, the fields might point into the plane of paper or point out of it. Hos -
tile direction reversal can easily be accommodated by assigning a +ve or '" -
to a field. Therefore, without losing generality we assume that both fields Er 2 -
Et are along +y direction, i.e. pointing outwards from the plane of the
If any of them or both of them were directed in the opposite direction
-
-y direction ) their signs would come negative automatically.
Now for each wave, the Poynting vector E x H should give the diistf** .
the wave vector. Since, the directions of the incident , reflected and trans®
waves are known , the directions of the magnetic field for the three wave*
and Ht can be easily obtained as shown in Fig. 5.11. Note that, the
y
^
incidef .
transmitted waves are travelling from left to right upwards and consequer
magnetic fields point downwards. Whereas, the
right to left upwards and hence its magnetic
reflected wave is travel
field is oriented upwards. .'
We can write the electric fields for the three u -
^-
, ^*

waves as (see Eqns (5 3

and (5.34))
Incident wave: E|= EiOt* (.tsin 0, +:casrt )
“

^'
Reflected wave: Er = E^ g - jfiiixsinb - zccsOi )
Transmitted wave: E, = Et0 e ~ - :( xsin <>' + zcost )
^ '
 Plane Waves at Media
Interface
219
P2 = .
-
a. ;
r' {=the three waves. For all * E*. and E* arc the vector
and E
*&** the lieldv, a time variatirm of e is
r
<
, - ^ C
assu med Since . E and II arc ' of
related thrrmjrh intrinsic impedance
$U ‘
^ « a sohav e
111, 1 = .15ni! ( 5.46)

IHrl
-fi» ,!
( H, I 15d
=»
7 <5 A7 )

<5 M )
72
,
= v/Mi /e and r)2 = 7575 W lhe intri
•1 *?, medium 2 respectively.
. ^ impedance, of medium
w applying l e boundary conditions, i.e. tangential component of the
1 ^
is continuous at the interface, and since there is no surface current
c > field
^cctrJhe
tangential component of magnetic field is continuous at the interface.
« getatz =°
Ej -f Er = Et (5.49)
,
H cos 0, - Hr cos 0f = H, cos 0, (5.50)

Note that, the E fields are in y-direction and hence are tangential to the interface
whereas for the magnetic field we have to take the component along the interface.
Substituting Eqns (5.46) to (5.48) in (5.49) and (5.50) we get
EiO -f Erf) = Eto (5.51)
,
Eo
cos 9i— ——
„ Epo
91
cos 0, = Eto cos 9,
91 —92
(5.52)

Solving Eqns (5.51 ) and (5.52) we can obtain the reflection and transmission ,

coefficients as
Erfl 772 COS 0, - // I COS 0,
Reflec tion cocff : —
Ti = E = 772 cos 0, -f 9\ cos 0, (5.53)

Transmission cocff
10
Eo _ ,,
2 772 cos 0,
: Tl E ” cos 0, + 771 cos 0,
o 772
(5.54)

From Eqns (5.53), (5.54 ) or dividing Eqn (5.51) by Kw we get relation between
^ Emission and the reflection coefficients as
+ -- "
5^ - E,
F j?
(5.55 )
0
M
(5.56)

pr( m ^ 1 + Ti = r±
following observations:
I ^^ns (5*53) yn (j (5 54
^ We can make

rc cct*on and transmission coefficients arc real. That mean s

at the interface.
there is no
rary phase change in the reflected or transmitted wave
 x\/ aves

of T± and
Electron
U cP1
T± , ** - ).
sign
.,
than
ase
unity VVL 35
^
change could
be either 0

upon the and JT for negative

22O sign less
always be greater or i
T± is could
Depending +vc coefficientcoefficient transmitted E held °
held . Obviou ^^^
sign C
or 0
IT (
tor Reflection
Magnitude of
the transmission
of amplitude
the
electric
of
,i .e when
is S

2.
themagnitude that the the incident
means of 5.56 )) .
.
than unitythan the amplitude
It (sec
Eqn (

he greater ± is positive
r (5.57 )
happen when 0t
would m cos
,l 2 cos i ^
0
0t we
get
p2 ' n
sin s
S
=
From Snc U’s law since fH sin
20
i
(5.58)
c'
1 " sin Ot
" " '

cos Ot 38
) yieid 5
, Eqn (5.57 (5.59)
Substitution ofcos 9 in
£i. sin 2 Oi
rj 2 cos Oi >
(5.60)

|cos (5.61)

=> O¥lcos20i + A2*2 sin

/ZlCl
) is satisfied the
—
transm itted
20i > 1
electnic field
,
is greater than
, if Eqn (5.61
Therefore does
field. electric field
the incident electric here that higher transmitted the medium -^
It should be noted
transmitted power. The magnetic field reduces in
the incident pow&-
mean higher or equal to
appropriately to give the transmitted powerless than
of power making sum of the transmitted

— —^
conservation
to be
After all, there has equal to the incident power, i.e.
and the refleeted power
How did they write this?

!cose,
cose, + j > /:!%
ni
cosf
*= m
( $0
=» irxl + 5i|rxl
2
cos Oj =1
EXAMPLE 5.4 A uniform plane wave having power density fttf
incident from air at air-dielectric interface at the angle of incidence . -
electric field vector for the wave lies perpendicular to the plune ot * ^diis
Find the power density of the transmitted and the reflected wave. T
permittivity of the dielectric medium is 25. If the frequency of
100 Mil / , find the amplitude of the electric and magnetic field at a dt >
1 m on either side of the interface.
 -
Plant: Wtwc
,
In etfa
* 221

SSS Xo -% m J ,0
/ 100 x ] ( />
35
* »n
density
r t h e powcr
m^
II2

=> l*» l — \/40/j0 = \/40( 377) = 122.8 V

/m
'/ 1 = */,,, = 120TT
120TT

nx = h = ~
h =
|
— )
i
3

— fin yfir — V25 = 1

^
fil

From the Snell’s law we get

„ o, =
=>
si
^
cos (9, = 0.9899
r
= ?iV2i25£ = 5 V2
1

From Eqns ( 5.53 ) and (5.54), we have ,

r ± = 24 TT cos 45° - 1207T x 0.9899

247T cos 45° + 120TT X 0.9899 =
-0.75
2( 24TT ) COS 45°
* = 24 n cos 45° + 120TT X 0.9899 = 0.25
±
Wc, therefore , get
Ero = riE/o = -0.75 x 122.8 = -92.1 V / m
and E,0 = r± E,0 = 0.25 x 122.8 = 30.7 V / m
Following the coordinate system in Fig. 5.11 , we have
E, = l 22.8
= 122.8*
^
,45 '
' “i" mco
-J &<, +,)
,
>
- 45
”y

Er =
and E .= ,,i ft +4 C W
30.7«->Al " “ >
= 30.7e
222
Etectromagnetic Waves
v/ mJ
Pi ruer density of lire transmitted wave TS J
Power density of the reflected wave 20 =
=
~
(|rj.l )
"

= yi
-
~
11 25 W ’/ ma'
25

El = El + Er = ( 2 2.8.
In Region I , ( he electric field is ( at z
e
^
- Jfr
1 m)=
- - 92. l
^ ) e-^*
= -
( 2.76 214.03 ;)*
,=
=> |£ | 214.068 V / m
.
In Region 2 the electric field is
E2 = Kt
— s . peak amplitude = 30.7 V / m
The magnetic fields for the three waves arefsee Eqns 5.46 5.47 ) and (5.4%
( ), (

|H|| 122.8/ 1 20TT = 0.3257 A / m

=
|Ur| = 92.1 / 1 20TT = 0.2443 A / m
|Ht| = 30.7/40T = 0.2443 A / m
>

Hence, total magnetic field component in x direction in Region 1 can be written

as

—
Hx = |Hr|cosOj |Hi|cos 0,
= 0.2443/ V2 - 0.3257/ V2
= 0.1727 - 0.2303 = -0.05763 A / m
The negative sign shows reversal of the field direction.
Similarly, the total magnetic field in z direction in Region 1 can be written as
//z =|Hr|sin 0, + |H |sin 0 | |

= 0.2443/ V2 + 0.3257/ V2
= 0.1727 + 0.2303 = 0.403 A / m
( fence, peak amplitude of magnetic field in Region I is

>.
|H| = yj / p + | //, p

= v (0 05763p + (0.403)2 = 0.407 A / m

Total magnetic field in Region 2 is same as H, . i.e. 0.2443 A/m

5.3.2 Reflection and Refraction with Parallel Polarization

On the line, similar to that for the perpendicular polarization, we can now
reflection and refraction of a plane wave having parallel polarization. In d sC
“
 Plane Wanes at Media Interface 223

ctor l * cS 'n P JU1C *nc*dencc. Again , assuming that plane of incidence

*
£'vC s the plane l lc PaPcr’ * wave vector and the E vector lie in the
j itf
|
ncc ,
ie ma8nc c field is perpendicular
*
is the papcr* plane
‘ ^ ’ *
of the
' to both , it is now
pi;'111' 11‘V.yiar to the paper . Therefore, without losing generality let
pen* , that the magnetic field is pointing out of the paper (oriented along + y
US *
Hr Er cos 0,
-
Er sin <?/ *
-
Er V
Oi / Er sin 0,-
Er cos Oi /
/
/
/
/
A z
/
/

Er cos Oi
E,
Ei sin Oi
/
Hi
Fig. 5.12 Uniform plane wave with parallel polarization at a media interface.

Using similar arguments as in previous case, we can assume that the magnetic
fields for the reflected and transmitted waves are also oriented along + y direction.
Using the Poynting vector argument we can then find the directions of the
respective electric fields. The electric fields for the incident , reflected and
transmitted waves have exactly same form as given by Eqns (5.43) to (5.45 ) except
,
that the vector Eio , E,o and E o are no more oriented along the + y direction but
- .
lie in the jcz plane The amplitudes of the magnetic fields for the three waves are
also given by Eqns (5.46) to (5.48), but their direction is perpendicular to the''
plane of incidence ( -f y direction ).

,
Applying continuity of the tangential components of the electric and magnetic
fic ds at the interface we get

El0 cos Oj - E,o cos Oi = E,0 cos 0 , (5.63)

(5.64)
Hio + Hro — Hto
Again hsing Eqns (
lh 5.45) to ( 5.48) and solving Eqns (5.63) and (5.64) we get
Reflection and the transmission coefficients for the parallel polarization as
 aa4 Klcctrnnuu/ nctic Waves
Reflection coefficient:
N
|r (0 pi -
cos ty
* 11 Mm
^
t ] i cos ty + rjicosOt

Transmission coefficient :

From Iiqn ( 5.63) we note that

r
" “
K0.=
Kio
// 2
2 / / 2 cos
'
~
ty
CostyT / l costy {
*M)
(1 + rH ) costy = * \\ costy (5 67)
>

In the case of parallel polarization also we can make similar observations

in the previous case, i.c.
asthai
1 . The magnitude of the reflection coefficient T|| is always less than unity an(j
there is a phase difference of 0 or n between the incident and the reflected
waves.
2. 'fhe transmission coefficient rn could be greater or less than unity, i.e. the
transmitted electric field could be greater or less than the incident electric
field.

5.3.3 Reflection and Refraction —Normal Incidence

The reflection and refraction for the normal incidence, i.e. incidence along the
normal to the interface can be obtained by making the angle of incidence 9,
zero either for perpendicular or for parallel polarization. Figure 5.13 shows the
incident, reflected and transmitted waves with their respective fields forty 0 in =
the two polarizations.
li ,
/
i /
/
Er © /
/ E,
/
/
O /
E, © / /
/
I
Hi
/
t/
Interface
' H ,
Interface
(a )1Polarization
( b) 11 Polarization
ty = 0 ty * 0
Fig. 5.13 Uniform plane wave normally incident at a media interface.

andSb
(5 65 ) .
Uwegc = ° ° ‘
C nSC |uemly
ft = 0 due to Snell law, in Eqns 9
1
*
ri|w, =0) = 2izl>
h + ni
 W< IIWNAT Media Interface
225

-
I'll !((», «) =
t) i—+ ---
ih ( 5.69 )

> I i = “ I |||( U
( » 0)

0 the -1 - mul II IHiInrizmiona represent same ease one would

far > ’
° /reflection coefficients are negative of each other! The reason
directions assumed lor the li- fields. In perpendicular
,* H ,* 11 oiiginal 0. K| a,,d Er point in the same direction whereas
* *" ,) IS 0t =
^'
i 41 aiiai* lI
—
SL
>

, ,,
l 0, 1llrl lM * i / iition when h
( N ®nd Kr point in opposite directions
jpen clear that , lor normal incidence if we assume the
i
Ei and
c same 1 direction the rellection coefficient is same as that given

>^
li
' jntiflUin /e therefore, have lor normal incidence.
’

)
<568 '

Reflection coefficient : V = ——m—

02 +
21)2
( 5.70)

Transmission coefficient : r = (5.71 )

02 + 0\
normal incidence can also be analysed in a different way. For
flic ease of
normal incidence
,
since 0 = 0, = 0 the electric fields for the three waves can be
0, = 0 in Eqns (5.43) to (5.45 ))
« riticn as (put Oi =
E, = Ei0<r^' r (5.72)
Er = Eroe+^ (5.73 )

Et = Ei0e jPiZ - (5.74)

| IIl| = !5il = !Me-^ ( 5.75)

01 01

inri = !511d = !50 sle+ «

^ ( 5.761
' \

|H,|=—
m lEtoi jfr
= (5.77 )
02 02
Rations 5.72) to (5.77) are identical to the transmission line equations with E
(

* £** «* " h«. . he junction it appear like ,

a “ T
'*
8 unpedance). me
VM,"ran mn"ilc lung line is
cc ion
|y always the character sue
* coefficient on line 1 is then
( 5.78 )
i
^
r = 1) + 0\
2
 innctic Waves
226
j.;lcctrojn
(

\
/ Cable ® jCableGD
/
/
B,© * s m m n2
/
frO *— /
/
/
/
Two semi - infinite
cables
Interface
incidence of a uniform plane wave at a m
Fig. 5.14 Analogy between normal line.
interlace and the transmission
transmission coefficient is
which is same as Eqn ( 5.68 ) and the
27/2
r= ;
TJ 2 + n\
be appreciated until we analy
The utility of transmission line analogy cannot layer medium . In the *
the propagation of a plane wave through a multi - following
plane wave in a layered medium
sections, we analyze normal incidence of a develop the concepts clearly,
using wave as well as transmission line model . To
we take only a three media problem here and leave
the multi -media problem to
the interested readers.
I EXAMPLE 5.5 A uniform plane wave with 25 V/m electric field is
norma Hy incident on an infinitely thick slab of a material of dielectric constant
5. Find the electric and magnetic fields just inside the slab surface. How much
power penetrates the material slab?
Solution:
The wave is incident from air to the material . Hence , we have
n\ = n0
n2 = —nop
V5
flic transmission coefficient
'

2m
x= 11
—
m + n1
= = 0.618
75 + 1
The electric field inside the slab E , r £,
= = 0.618 x 25 = 15.45
_ v
magnetic field inside the slab

I! ~ ~Et ~ 0 091
' Th
Hie power transferred to the slab is P
= EtH, = 1.416 W / m2.
 . "'“ « » 1 i i

*MAUNC DENCEONAUYEREDMED|
JWa / , (l
Interface
- u * t7

t<i
1
^^
.
,
H0

^ ' tSmeJia
c
,
tinfinitc2inamlsize3 arcWIK H
:,ers for *’ dc >oled by
' ^^
suffices
UM

- - < .Hn
Pig‘ 5 ls Me
Thc
'

Medium®

Et

Hi

Fig. 5.15 Normal incidence of a uniform plane wave at a layered medium

.

In the following analysis, we will drop the vector notation for the writing
simplicity. The incident electric and magnetic fields, therefore, can be written as
E,= Ei0e-if ,z ( 5.80)

Hi = — e -*" (5.81 )
m
dur primary
interest now is to find:
(ii) ^Reids
'e'^s *°r reflected wave in region 1.
for transmitted wave in region 3.
rrltt ltme?nsn,ioned above, the problem can be solved in two ways i by multiple ()

U
^ ,
Sm ssion

*
and transmissions at the two interfaces 1 /- and J3 < u by
line analogy.
Mult'Ple Reflections/Transmissions of Waves
( ) ( ) )

create a notation for the transmission and reflection coefficients

“ «erfaecs in
forward as well as backward directions
. Let T , represent ,
228 Electromagnetic Waves

the reflection coefficient at interface (/ // ) for a wave incident from m ,

Similarly, let Ttj represent the transmission coefficient from medium / 10 Uri1 i
j . For example F| j will represent reflection coefficient at interface
wave incident from medium I and r32 will represent transmission C( r
IC
from medium 3 to medium 2 for a wave travelling backwards in medium 3 tr ’ '
-
From Fqns ( 5.78 ) and (5.79) we derive
r
_ 7/ - 7 /

and
" m+m
2
li 5.83,
Vj + Vi
From Eqn (5.82) it is clear that T,7 = - T N o w let a wave
'
with electric
Ej be normally incident on the interface ( 1 /2) from medium 1 side. At the
interfac
( 1 /2) a part of the energy is reflected and a part is transmitted. The amplitude e
the reflected field is TI 2 £, and the amplitude of the transmitted field is
n E, ^
The transmitted field travels a distance d in medium 2 and, therefore, undergoe2 s
a
phase change of { — fad ). The phase shifted wave gets partly reflect d
and partly transmitted at the interface (2/3 ). The reflected wave at ( 2/3 ) '
travels backwards upto interface ( 1 /2) and further undergoes a phase
interface
change of
—
( fad ). At the interface ( 1 /2) a
part of the energy is transmitted backward b
medium 1 and a part is reflected back in medium 2.

, Bi
X 2
xnZxe-iW

T|2r23 Ele ^2</ '

2>/
*12 *23 *21^ ^
T2 lrl 2 23E,<? 2//V
*
,
Fig. 5.16 Multiple enactions of
uniform plane waves in a layered mediant .
This process continue! for infinite
reflections and transmissions. I *
suite, then we have a reflected wave ”
, in medium 1 which is a superposiu0
^^
reflected wave \' l 2 E and subsequent
2, we sec two sets of waves one travelling
backward transmitted waves. In **
right to left . I he total field at any point is from left to right and
equal to the sum of all the
0 ^^
^^
and backward travelling waves. In region 3 we
have superposition of
waves travelling from left to right.
 Plane Waves at Media Interface 229

prom Fiy - we can write reflected field in medium 1 as

Fr = r,2 /w + T,arMr , 2 + Tl 2r23r2lr23r21 E, <r'4'’!‘'

+ri2r23r2, rur2, r23r2|E, e -J6M + • • • (S
**)
i .c .
Er = rI 2 E, + r, 2r23r2i <'^2^£/ { i + r2i r1^e ~ i 2 fhd
+( r2ir23)V^‘/ + . . . | (5.85)

The terms in { } form a geometric scries with progression ratio r2 i r23

) Since |r2 j | and | r 231 are less than 1, and \exp( j 2 fiid )\ 1
—
-
eXp( j 2 fhd - —
the scries is convergent and we can write its sum . The reflected field and the
reflection coefficient , therefore, can be written as
E,
Er = r , 2 E, + ri 2 r23r2 , e ~ rf ^ 1- ( 5.86)

giving
-
Er J 2 2\e ^ d
= + ^
r S E T ” 1 - ri^2 r23e-;2&rf
r (5.87)

Similarly, from Fig. 5.16 we can write the transmitted wave in medium 3 as
,
E , = Tni2 e -ihdE, + Tnr 2 r 2 tT 2 ie - M‘d E ,
>
+n 2 r23 r2 ir23r2 , r23<r-i5A‘'£i H
= TnT2ye ~iME, { \ + r23 r' 2 , e -^- + ( r2 l r23 )V' M
d 4( .} (5.88)

Again the terms in curly brackets form the same geometric series as that in
Eqn (5.85 ), and we get the transmission coefficient as
£, mme - M (5.89)
= i - r21 r23e -
EI ^
The procedure explained above can be extended to any number of layers with
°f course increased algebraic complexity.
s -4 - 2 Transmission Line Analogy
us now try to solve the problem of wave propagation in a multi - layer medium
,Usjng
, the transmission line analogy. The geometry in Fig . 5.16 is equivalent to
lfee transmission lines of characteristic impedances /; j , i / 2 , ;/ 3 respectively.
transmission lines 1 and 3 are infinitely long and the transmission
,sof length ,
line 2
p
d . Also note that the phase constants of the three lines are / , 2 , 03
)

rcspectively as shown in Fig . 5.17 .

N w, since line 3 is infinitely long, it sees an impedance in (characteristic
°
"opodancc of line 3 ) at the junction (2/ 3 ). This impedance can be transformed to
 230 lilrcIroiiMtnelK' W«'" n
I - ,1 I
0/
'/ »
'/ I :
th
/

•'/ 1 // / r;: /'/ *

Pi /'/
a laymod mo*Ham
Fig. 5.17 Transmission lino analogy for

an impedance ( say; Zat ( M 2 ) junction a'.

n2 W h
^ ~
f jrii ' inff ,d
rj 2 co’ . fad - '
Note that the characteristic impedance of the transforming line 2 is r/ / .
The reflection coefficient on the line l then can be written as
r = zz - rn
+m
_ rj 2 < n3 cos /V7 -f- 7 ^2 in fad ) - m ( W co » /M b J *h
c> '

15.92)
f ] ( 7)3 cos fad
2 + jrj 2 sin /i2 /7 ) - r) t ( r)2 cos fad f ] T)S sin fad )
Equations (5.87) and (5.92) although look algebraically different , are infact
the same. It is only a matter of algebraic manipulation to reduce one to the f /brr
The magnitude of the transmission coefficient can be obtained by applytftf
conservation of power.
The electric field £, in medium I has a pmver density of |/i / 12 / r/ , . Vic pr* n
density of the reflected wave will be |YEtflr\\ . Since, all tfic media arc lovJr.c
the difference of the tv/o power densities is equal to the power density of tf*
transmitted wave in medium 3, \ Et \2 / r)3 , giving
l£ l2 -
|r / , |2
•
=
|£,|2
S3
|r /:(|2 50)
(
9i n>
=> 1:
JV nf n - in 2) (5.9 «
\
The above analysis clearly sh( »ws that the problem of normal incidence
multi - layer medium can be elcgently solved using the transmission line cone
The analysis of layered medium finds many practical applM) 01**'
*** !
example, one may be interested in sending electromagnetic energy efficient
one medium to another, or one rnay be interested in providing a protccl » vc ^
^
% .'"' ,
.
H

i ' , .
‘s&sssssxg-
. ,5,;; *
> » ' »
•H

i|j|rhCOH /l)( / I / tj > sht /l, / )

M licim / jj,/ I
(
^
mMl ’
migliwrypnrt,’ J IMII»M
'
' ^^ n
n,«K )

,Um
<5 li , »ln /,„/ ,
" ; ( ,V%)

,"multMo
''
..
ll
Since. Mhrin amim ,
^( (.rot)

condition under which nu.„. n„ „.,,.,., ,’ " " "

c |
I, "
^ ...
/r| l
; vc two
* 1
l Hi '/ - Mil ' ll * / ,•

| »ln /li</ “ 0 »nd in « i)i Till* Implicit

/M inn »» •1 , 2, 3

> ,\ _ mjr nur ml ,

fti 2 /r / X; * 2 ( VM)

.
X 2 i» thc wavelength in medium 2 ( X 2 a IUJ }ivi )
Thin condition suggests that ii a slah of any matcriul which is multiples < »r half
wavelength thick is inserted normally in the path of an electromagnetic wave,there
.
is no reflection,i e. the propagation on either side of the slah remains wudlei ted.
'litis is interesting and useful, as it suggests that if an antenna is covered with a
half wavelength thick sheet , the llow of the radiated wave is unaffected. This is
.
the principle of radotn design Rndom is a cover which protects an antenna front
.
the weather Since, the purpose of rndom is mechanical, it should allcct the wave
.
propagation in the least possible fashion Multiple dielectric layers cun bo used
for designing proper radoms .
*OHfo,/ = 0 and Thin k the (mm quarter wavelenglh
transformer. The conditions imply
n (5 W ) .
m 1.2 , 3 • (3.100 )
> ( 5.101 )
m wun»mltte«l
llti1 condition clcctroinag w>ve cut be fullyof mulching
suggests that an jng ft sheet
equal to
media-interface without intrinsic impcduncc
dturn which is quarter wavelength th c
 a;ia
Electromagnetic Waves

.
of the wave is I C' l 1 /. Find the power
the sheet .
density of the wave transmitted «3

Solution:
Intrinsic impedance of the dielectric is
,W = »/o = Tm
^
n ; <i - > / o _f no
~ __ _ I
=—
1

1r1 2 2
i] j + no 31 + no
1
r23 = -r12 = -
2 tjd I
ri 2 = rjJ +; >?o = 2~
_ 2 f /0 5
T23 “

f + >?o 2
2TT x 109
Pi = (x ) / no 0 er = 3 x
y
10s ^
x \9 = 207T rad / m
fad = 20TT (0.05) 7r

The transmission coefficient from Eqn (5.89) is

r = MW ~ — 2
(
- (-M w* f
Power density of the transmitted wave
= ITI 2 x Power density of the incident wave
= B x |o = T w /m 2

5.5 TOTAL INTERNAL REFLECTION

Let us now investigate an interesting case of the wave propagation known *
‘totalinternal reflection (TIR ) \
^
 Plane Waves at Media Interface

Eqns 38) and (5.58) we note that if

fix .
£
— sin 0, > l ( 5.102 )

transmission does not exist, since sinO,

, nf > 1 and cos 0, is imaginary.
rV
^ rhat it a
*

(5.1
P*anc wave IS launchcd at » media interface at an angle which
2 ) therC !S n transmmcd
" * is called°the critical -
Wavc The angle for which the equality
jti
^ L >,
hold angle, (),. . This is the angle of
incidence

* **
I
( 5.103 )

=s ( 5.104 )

that the transmitted a

\\ \ e travels just along the interface. The critical
njn,T

^ Tjs therefore given by

P0I- 0 > 0t-, the reflection

sin 8C = —
coefficients for the two polarizations ( prependicular
ind parallel ) are re-
written such that the quantity in the square root sign is positive,
firing

r» =
j]
i cos 0, — -1
j-,
(5.105)

ru cos 0,- -f jmJ % sin2 0, - 1

^ 9i - 1
2
772 cos 0,- - jrn sin

r± = (5.106)

T)2 COS Of + jVlyjp sin!

‘
-1
where we have written cos 0r explicitly in terms of 0/ , and have taken l
co®mon within the square root sign. It is now easy to note that both reflection
—
Efficients are of the form
( a - jb )
a, b are real ,
ifi + jb )'
*
fv*
^
ffietr
ecd n
magnitudes are
coefficients
unity
however ,
. That
have
is, for
different
0 > 0 c |r ±|= 1 and|r ,| = 1.
phase angles.1he phase angles
-
° ,
 Electromagnetic IVat’cs
234
for the two polarizations are
N
sin 2 Oi — 1
(
—
pj s 2 tan r/ i cos ( h (5
>0J)

0 j_ = 2 tan
— I]2 COS Oj
«•108,

Since, the magnitudes of the reflection coeffic

ients are unity, the entire
incidCm
power is reflected back into medium 1 . This phenom enon is therefore
called the
Total Internal Reflection (TIR ).
worth mentioning about the total
There are certain important things which are
internal reflection.
only if the wave travel
I . The total internal reflection can take place
medium . From Eqn (5.102) we can see that the angle*
from denser to rarer
is given by
of incidence for which the total internal reflection can occur
ft (Oyfji2*2 x/M 2^2 (5.109)
sin Oi >
ft
= /
(Dy mei

Since, sin 0, has to be < 1, for TIR to take place we must have
< MKI (5.110)

i.e. medium 2 is rarer compared to medium 1.

A special case of this is an ideal dielectric interface, for which = II 2 = HQ,
and

*i = 0 ri — eonf
*2 = C0 r2 = 0 nl
,
n and n 2 are refractive indices of the two dielectric media. Condition Eqn (5.11 ° )

then reduces to the well known condition

(5.11D
"2 < ni
2. Wave undergoes a phase change during total internal reflect' "
0

From Eqn (5.105 ) and (5.106 ) it is clear that the reflection coefficient has a
aV
which implies that the reflected wave lags with respect to the incident * ,
The phase change depends upon the medium parameters as well as the Mle °
incidence. At critical angle the phase lag in the reflected wave is zero (q
in the square root sign goes to zero) and it increases as the angle of
increases beyond 0C . It is also important to note that the two polarizations P
and perpendicular, undergo different phase changes at total internal reflect'
0
. ^
 plane Wavrs ,it ht „u„ i ,„,. »:ir.
>
. differential plniHcc
prions this u Hl 1 1 1
„ "- I’" ' " *" »f an elect ,tnnynetic wnvr . .
lhotw,» |>< iliiri / iillon t will In*
,

|M
'
'
*!
11
)h *

J. (*
" -
^;
|tcr ll ' sl" ‘

the nehl*
% " , ll ''?
» TIR nd
; nvhen iri 11 n
' ;“ I . " " ‘ "
"' "
do not vnnl h In the .
• « ) I l!|n 5.5.|
<
' , ' lr"n*ml*slnn cncfficicnr : r - .
„lw)|um Sllh ||H n
W
„
,
.
.J
(
„ ,,

<
, <„,
& »*
f
is < ion <’ IX’"
C U
,
2
well ^
. . can very ' !" " ""
'
ri' CC n
L S ol °
• in
l *» I
no " I i .e. no
transmission of the lleldii
seen I me,Hum provided they
n 2. The power (low Ihcsc
Helds exist In
.
n the
, .
’" T „n
a * 0 s i < ute any Helds arc called the 'evanescent fields' ,
of these fields in medium 2 can he readily ohiained l,y sol,slim in*
""!lotio
‘
" ..
expression lor Hie transmitted field Eqn (5.45 ) Suhsllmting

^ in the
sin 0 = ~ sin Oi, (5.112)

and
cos 0, = jyj j ) surO,

in Eqn (5.45
) we get
(

^ (5.113)

Et — E(ot'
Jfii
j Jj jf sin
^ ( sin 2 -1 > j
g - y /Ji * unO,± jty
( / *inJ j
^ ,
= E,o c ~ jf> xsin0 i (5.114)

In Eqn (5.114), the exponential term I represents a travelling wave in

only an exponentially varying field in the
^-direction. Term II however represents -
z-direction and not a wave as there is no phase variation along ^ direction. Since,
the field cannot grow indefinitely away from the interface, we should choose the
-ve sign for the exponent which represents exponentially decaying fields away
from the interface in medium 2. The field in medium 2, therefore, is correctly
written as

.
= E oc-ffo *inVix/ff
E,
^,ote ll*at, the exponential decay constant in e-direction is a function ol the angle
- 'O -A
* (5.115)

“ 'nc‘dence besides the media parameters. Figure

4 field
5.17 shows the field variation

cri«cal angle, the decay constant is zero and the field "
2 Bn in me<hum 2. As the angle of incidence increases beyond
>
incidence.
'"ttciion of distance from the interface for different angles olconstant
,
along the
the crthcal
.. . .
more confined
gets to the interface. However
. e
. I s m portan lo
arv
c ndit no circumstance the field in medium 2 goes to / uo . Since, the
10
° 0ns demand that the fields must be continuous at the interface
"
 Waves
Electromag netic
236

•
Oi = Oc
.
Ko
&i = 0\ > ec
oi = o2 > ol
ei = 0i > 02

2 for angle of incidence greater

Fig. 5.18 Electric field variation in medium %
or equal to the critical anglo.

, the fields in medium 2 are

fields in medium 1 at the interface are non- zero also
the energy is totally reflected in medium
finite at the interface. For TIR , where
1 , one should not undermine the importance of the evanescent fields in medium
2. Though , these fields do not constitute any power flow , there presence is as
important as the fields in medium 1 which have power flow associated with them.
Any disturbance to the evanescent fields eventually disturbs the total internal
reflection .

EXAMPLE 5.7 A uniform plane wave travelling in a dielectric of refractive

index 3 is incident at the dielectric air interface. The angle of incidence is 60".
The electric field of incident wave is 10 V/m . Find the phase velocity of the field
and the magnitude of the field in air at a distance of 0.5 cm from the dielectric
air interface. Assume perpendicular polarization for the wave. Frequency of
wave is 10 GHz.
Solution:
The critical angle at the interface is

0C = sin - 1(vl) = sin" G)

-1
!-
= sin ( ) 19.47 °

,
From Eq„ 5.106 , rellecion coefficitnTcTbew
enT1"8^
r±
^ -1

1
 Plane Wane ,, at Me,Ha lnterfa, , . 5T 7
*
I
ft cm0' + Isjftm' o, \

< ) - jftfjffil I
1\
M\) + J ft =( fft I
= -0.4375 - 0.8922>
jfeflcC’
,
l < ial electric field in dielectric medium t % gjven by
E\ = £/ + r± E ,
=* Peak amplitude
—= ( 0 ,5625

11.31 V/ m
- 0.8922 j ) x 10
.
field decays ar we go away from the interface, fn air, £ -.
In the air, electrical px will
along the x axis. -
New be given by
Px = P\ sin 9i
O) c
Hence , P
P\ sin 6( e/ isinOi
3 x 10* / 2 \
^
3 * WI/ 1.155 x 10’ mA
2;r x 1010 200,T
Pi 3 x 10* — 3
2TX x I 010 V5 100 V/3.T
P\ sin = 3 x 10« x 3 x —=
Electic field in air is given by Eqn (5.115)
,
Ea r = 10 X e-» « "»- V< l
= 0.811 V / m

6
WAVE POLARIZATION AT MEDIA INTERFACE
|n Action 4 5' WC 13 s ovvn lhat ni) y arbilary polarization can be decomposed
!
the°
. Polarj
^ VC
two? 0l1hogonal states of polarization . We can. therefore, analyse
f e rc ccte(J and the transmitted waves
at an interface by
, ^ , ,^ ^ 1 C ncident electric field into its components, one in the plane
po| lcnccfi rnd ,
nci(
ot lcr Perpendicular to it. In other words
, we decompose the

^
U Zation 0 he nc polarizations, one in
CM*ne of • ! * *dent wave into two orthogonal linear and transmission for
v
nc»dencc and other normal to it, find reflection
 238
Electromagnetic Waves
.
Ac wo polarizations separately and combine
them . Let us, therefore,
incident electric field as
E, = EJK + El±eJ*
„
^(5

Note that locally the coordinate system is

-
oriented such that K| is aj0 *
and E is along y' axis and z is the direction
of the wave vector (sec Fig
^
^
Y'
K
/ v
I
^
L
Z'
Kill
k
/
x' k
^ i Z' k
Eu. k
/
/
Interface
Fig . 5.19 Polarization of incident, reflected and transmitted plane waves at media
interface.

If the reflection and transmission coefficients for parallel and perpendicular

polarizations are denoted by r| rB and Tj., r± respectively, the reflected and
f

transmitted electric fields are

,
Er = Eri; + Erx = r ]|E||| + r± E [ ± ej i> (5.117)
Et = Etc + Eti = T|| Em + TLEUV* (5.118)
since the reflection and transmission coefficients are different for parallel and
perpendicular polarizations, we can say that in general the states of polarization
of the reflected and transmitted waves are not same as that of the incident wave.
However, it is worthwhile to investigate here a few simple but important cases.
5.6. 1 Change in Polarization at Simple Reflection
I . Linearly Polarized Incident Wave If the incident wave is Hnca
,
polarized , Ej and E ± are in phase, i.e. 0 0. For simple reflection ( not to
* =
^j .

^^
internal reflection ) since the reflection coefficients and V ± are real (t 10 *
rB
they could be positive or negative), the components of the reflected wave, Eri
Efi. are either in phase or 180 out of phase (depending upon the sign of H
'

r j ). 'Ihe polarization of the reflected wave hence remains linear. The orient*
 plane Waves at Media Interface
.
2'J9

however will be different since

Hzntion
***** lKr » l • I Kin|
|Kr± l JK L| |.

is equally applicable to the transmitted wave as well since rj

^"
n,f ’• ' t'-it real in this case. nnear y p„,arizcd wavc rcmilim
Kfor c
4 fir "’ ’
si l
, rel, "°n bm hc planc
.
c
'
CC ,
" Polarization changes f
Iine#r|
as shown

Interface
Fig. 5.20 Linearly polarized incident wave.

Circularl y Polarized Incident Wave For a circularly polarized incident

Jive,we have
2

I Kin | = |EjjJ
-T
0=±2
s , the reflected ( and
Since the reflection and transmission coefficient are real
also transmitted ) wave has a phase difference of ± zr / 2 between its components.
However, the two components no more have same magnitudes, since Tn # Tj.
and i[ # ri . The reflected and transmitted waves therefore become elliptically
polarized with the major axis of each ellipse either lying in the plane of incidence
or perpendicular to it as shown in Fig . 5.21 .
Depending upon the magnitudes of the reflection coefficients, the polarization
ellipse may degenerate into a line . A circular polarization, therefore , may change
e en to the linear polarization after reflection . This aspect will be discussed later
'
Section 5.7.

^rthe total
Polarization Change at TIR

^
Z Polariz
internal reflection, there is no transmitted wave, so we need to discuss
ation of the reflected wave only For the TIR the magnitude
. s
Section coefficients r, and r . are unity but their phases are different
±
of the
.
 240 Electromagnetic Waves

Fig. 5.21 Circularly polarized incident

1
Interface
Lf - P

wave at a dielectric boundary.

Consequently, the phase difference between the two reflected components is not
same as that between the incident components. Then it is evident that the state
of polarization always changes at the total internal reflection, except when the
incident polarization is either purely parallel or perpendicular. We can also note
that the change in polarization depends upon the angle of incidence. The TIR
can, therefore, be cleverly exploited to change the state of polarization of a wave
without affecting its magnitude.

EXAMPLE 5.8 A circularly polarized plane wave is incident on a thick

glass slab at an angle of incidence of 45°. Find the state of polarization of the
reflected and transmitted waves. The frequency of the wave is 1014 Hz and the
refractive index of glass is 1.5.
Solution:
Since, the incident wave is circularly polarized, the parallel and perpendicular
components of the electric field are equal in magnitude but 90 out of phase. '

Let the perpendicular component be leading the parallel component, that is

,
Eil = E ie+Jl = jEix
|£i ± l = |£/ nl = A
From snell’s Law
ri \ sin 0/ = n 2 sin 0,
=> —
= « 2 sin 0, =
sin 0/

cos 0, = 0.8819
1
— sin 45 ° = 0.4714

Also we have
Fi* i7
01 =
v *.T =
v V rr ~ „
0

^ 2
 plane VVciiWN ( if
Media / ntEfface
tfjinHrnlHsiou 241
1 rk{\
tKct ° ,C' (fr n * J lns coefficients ior perpendicular ami parall
|0

\¥ ‘‘ ° ' to (
.65) mul (5.66))
^, el
(*’' cos 45 - t|o cos0
”
r*i 31 to cos 45" 1-
Ha cos0
*
,
0.4714 - 0.8819

rj
0.4714 | 08519
= 1 4- r 1 = 0.6966
° 3033
«

f 11
y /o cos 45"
— toct ) Sfy
no COS 45" 4- & cos 0,
“

0.707 -»
”
0707 4- = 0.09189
_
r
" ^ ^r^; =
2 cos(45° )
nocos(45" ) -f- 0.728

The rcllccicd and transmitted fields are

Er \\ = / \ P|| and Eri = jAr±
^ \\
And
-0.303
=> Er = rTI = 0.091893 Lull
I 7
„ —- 33 LJT / 2

£, ll
= AT || and £ 1 - jAxL f

EtL j 0.6966
=» — = *± = 0.728 Lull = 0.96 Z;r / 2
En TII
E, = Arp 4- 7 Ari '

*
0e reflected wave is ellipti
cally polar ized and the transmitted wave is almost
circularly polarized.

O
BREWSTER ANGLE
B wskr
^rtfle' ci:an coeff
angle is he angle uf incidence for whichi there a no reflection, i .e.
( -
icient is zero. Equating (5.53 ) and (5. ^ •

* Perpendicular Polarization: IJ.cosOm fli

or ( 5.119 )

Her - ^ r Parallel Polarization: / costfay - >12 cos0, = 0 (5.120)

0 / i

C' niand 0», arc the Brewster angles for perpendicular and parallel
1

° “ respectively.
124:1
Electromagnetic Waves
Eqn (5.119) and Eqn (5.120)
Substitution for cos Of from Eqn (5.58) in

- sin 2 OBL
l / 2 COS 0 { IL = ’ll ' It (5 2
l) '
id cos Oai = '12
P\ sin2 ( 5.122,
After a little algebraic manipulation we get

tan 0 B ±
ft / »2 "
'll V /Z
(5.123)
m \PI PV ~

7
ft ( 'ir - ’ilV
'

tan dB \\ (5.124)
» \Pl - PV
2

/ 6 i » and 02 = //1
=
Substituting fii a> = (Oy/ g i* 2, 01 =beVMi <

^
-- a n
the Brewster angles for the two polarizations can obtained as

M 2 ^1 “ Ml *2
0S _L = tan (5.125)
2 2-
^^
#sn = tan yi[ M 1*2 - M 2* l
M2 2 * - Ml ^ l
n
In principle, the Brewster angle can exist for both polarizations. However, for non-
magnetic materials ( dielectrics), /xj = g 2 = Mo (free-space permeability ) and
(5.126)

consequently the Brewster angle does not exist for the perpendicular polarization.
This can be seen by substituting g\ = g 2 = Mo in Eqn (5.125). The quantity in
the square bracket becomes negative and hence there is no real angle OBL -
Brewster angle for the parallel polarization exists and is given by,

0 B ii = tan -
l (5.127)

Note: FromEqn (5.127 ) itmightappearthatwhen i = 2, i.e. when there »s

medium discontinuity at the interface ( in fact in that case there is no interfac ^
there is only one medium ) , the Brewster angle is 45°. But this is absurd beca
if there is no medium discontinuity, no- reflection condition should be true o .
angles and not only for 45°. This absurdity, however, is purely mathema
If .
= e2 the quantity in square brackets of Eqn (5.126) is 0/0, i e- 51 - ^
indeterminate and not 45° . .
From the above discussion, it is clear that at the Brewster angle, a P cUiaf
polarization has no reflection. Now, if the incident wave has some ar
polarization ( which is a combination ot parallel and perpendicular
after reflection at the Brewster angle the wave will have only one p *
component. If the angle of incidence is the reflected wave
° onl)
 I’ltiih' WtiwMit MVilla tlUvrlmv J .\ \

,
|ftri / »l on >
tfU* * *. pfliiirlMl ' * n
^ ^^ ^ ,
,,,u* ' * u' an l < U , Kr i *i « i , Ilf ii' llrt out v/ ii /
^ ^ « > i r< f1< 4 «4
th® polarization
H * ^ thf
•i1 "jv psUrtll‘: ,| . plum* of Incidence or perpendicular In ii ) i r ,n i , v » - of lla
’
K
„,
ol ,• mcitUBrewster angle eoneepl hi used to obtain linearly polarized
-
-nt wave . The Ihewnler onHln dn rclore h al o called il . *

The ,
milariw4 one . n » ««« y applications , like optical interferomriry,
,v 1, *
iin unf |C light has to he linearly polarized , the Bremer angle ( OlU ffli -
feSSjzi
^ dlipiically polarized wave is incident on an air dielectric
^
vAl^ L 5
nrewster .
angle The axial ratio of the polarization ellipse is 2
^ ;lt taC •
. 0f ellipse is perpendicular to the plane of incidence, hind die
of tlie major axis of the reflected and transmitted
orientation

Solut|on intc^
: the Brewster angle, parallel polar
js die|ectric interface, at
Sincc* lhc c0I * ly transmitted . The reflected wave has only perpendicular
ization is
g
Fjr
^ ^"
e reflected wavc therefore
n of incidence.
has linear polarization perpendicular

wave, we have to obtain the lieltl components

transmitted
jangle of incidence
.
,~
9i = 0/rii = an ' (
/J) = '
tan ( // 2 )
n2
sin 0t = . - =
•

I
and COS 01 =
/ +«1 2

losing Snell’s Law we get

and
sin 9,

cos 0,
—= ^_ =
= n2
I
co8

sin 2 d,
^
= sinf>,
^ ellipse since the AR is 2 we have,
(say)
EjH A =
Eu = 2fVIJT/
2
- 2 \ CM /
/
2
244
Electromagnetic Waves

r
" /12
2
and Tl “
1 + n\
The transmitted ticUls are there tore ,
A
£r|| = r|| £«- || = ~

2 Ae * 2
,
E ± = r± £i ± = 1+ n
’ '\
, ,
The phase between E ± and E \\ is still n / 2 as was in the original wave .
transmitted wave , therefore , has same sense of rotation ( LH or RH ) asThe
incident wave. The ratio of the amplitudes of two components is the

l ^fll _ “
0 + n; ) _ 2/ tz
|£/ nl A / /I 2 1 + «2
Since , n 2 1 ( because if /12 = 1 , there is no interface ) \ Et \ | |
^
consequently the transmitted wave also is elliptically polarized. If |£ |
± Ef ||
^
fi >
|Ef || l , i .e . if 2/ I 2 > 1 + n , the major axis of the ellipse will be J_ to the
\ plane
of incidence and AR will be
2/12
,
However, if \ E ± \ < |£,|||, i .e. if 2n 2 < 1 + n , the major axis of the ellipse
\
will be in the plane of incidence and AR will be
For any medium n 2 is always greater than 1 and consequently
\ + n\ >
2/ / 2 always, i .e . we have , | Ef ||| > \ Et ± \ . The transmitted wave therefore is
elliptically polarized with major axis in the plane of
incidence .

5.8 FIELDS AND POWER FLOW AT

MEDIA INTERFACE
From the discussions of the reflection and refrac
tion of the plane waves at a media
interface , it is clear that in medium 1 , we have
superposition of the incident and
the reflected waves, and in medium 2 we have
only the transmitted wave. K *
then worthwhile to investigate the distributio
n of the fields in the two media, an
the direction of the net power How. Let us
investigate the fields in the two
for a wave with perpendicular polarization .
In the two media, we have,
Medium 1 : El E, (5. $®
= + Er
Medium 2 : E2 = E,
 plane M ’utrs of Media Interface
,r 1 . nnd ' ,rom n 5 43 ,
245
,- l
-
* • ^+
%( n ( 5 45 ) we get

-
M )

t
jjiutl !* 11 «in >, fnmi >
$ *
1'
|
|
Bi ® ' * - row * i ( 5.130 )
//HU »ln <», ) ? ro» *U
Kj m ( 5.131 »
polttriwli00 F- io . and K,« arc in the wnc direction.
unii K,n from Eqns ( 5 53 ) and <5.54 ). we cm get the fiel .
*

rtf ' \ Mil *', + rie+^,rc”fl ]

VMKm js
'
*
(5.132 )
- fax*** ( ( 1 + ri ) cos( /J,:cos (?, ) + ;( r1 - \ ) mthzmS, i ]
(5.133 )
:j sSjon inside the square bracket can be written in polar form fmaattxfc
g %

when-*.
^ fomO giving
E, = ( 5.134 )

sm2( 1 rcos $. >]: : * 5 : 35

2 2 2
1
/ = [( 1 + rJ ) cos O31 zcos 0 ) + (rJ - l )
. l .
^ .

2]
+ 2 Tj cos[2 1 ccos (?, ]) 1 /2
= ( ( 1 + T
^ . < 5.13*

and
" ((<rrx± + i ) tan /J ,:- cos 0f ))
0 = tan
- 1) ( 5.13 *

The amplitude of the total field in medium 1 is

= |Ei0| ([ 1 + ri ] + 2r± cos[2/3iccos ])
1
|Eil *

and the phase of the total field , including the time phase, is
^ ( 5.13 5

( r± - 1 )
<p\ = a t — p\ x sin 0, + tan
)
1
( ( r± + D
tan(/?izcos 0, )
J ( 5.139 )

From Eqn ( 5.138 ), we can note that the field amplitude Ei ! is a fuercaa
of ; now. Since , cos( 2 jzcos 0, ) varies between - 1 and + 1 . the field ampLr ie
r ^
varies from |( 1 - )||E»| to |( 1 + rOHE !. This is a partial sLanding wave
±
^
* reflected waves. A plot of the r _
created by superposition of the incident and the
Plitude appears like a corrugated surface with corrugations lur.r. ir.g
^
c
interface as shown in Fig . 5.22.
e eld amplitude is
^ constant in a plane parallel to the interfa^ iz =
"

Pi conopc*Cw>
** varies from plane to plane. For example, planefield
to e

^
minimum field whereas Pi corresponds to the maximum in Fig . 5
Can then
call these planes as ‘constant amplitude planes .
—
 Electromagnetic Waves
246
/ Medium 2
Medium I /

' -xr&-yjwv/ r *i

Pi P\
of space. Constant
Fig . 5.22 Electric field amplitude as function
planes.
amplitude planes, one p -
The distance between the two adjacent constant
through the maximum amplitude points and other passing through the mini ^
amplitude points is given by
jt X
5-1 ;,
^
,
d = 2/3, cos (9- 2( 2;r /;. i ) COS 0; 4 cos 0,
”
* '
where A, is the wavelength in medium 1. Note that when 0, = 0, */ ; , =
whereas when 0/ -> .T / 2, d —> OQ . ^
Like the constant amplitude planes, the constant phase surfaces are not planer
Depending upon the angle of incidence, reflection coefficient etc, we may
different constant phase surfaces.
The phase constant of the composite wave in *-direction is sin 0, and bene*
-
the phase velocity in JC direction is
(O

V=
Pi sin 0,
In the z-direction, however, the phase constant cannot be written as explicitly
as that in the x -direction. We, therefore, have to obtain the phase velocity in
z-direction from the first principles. Making the phase stationary along z-direction

-
( and also making x constant ) we get

ir
Pi
< )<

- 0

dz
“ +
(

(o
ftTT J sec '/* z cos 0, pi cos 0, dft
1+(
[ 1 -f { f
2
i

ftTTfi*n ( ^
)

, zcos 0j}2
) zcos 0, ) ) 2|
tan ( /|
( 5.1421

v = = - fy H&
\+i
<5.1*31
^
& WrtOOHOMx COS 0
From Eqns ( 5.139) and ( 5.143) two things are worth making note of:
j

. The constant phase surfaces arc no more planes.

-
2. The phase velocity in z direction is not constant but is a function of - f*

Consequently, the total phase velocity becomes

a function of space.
Figure 5.23 shows ( he phase as a function of space
variation of the phase velocity as function of space.
and Fig. 5.24 sho > * **
 Plane Waves at
»47
S
6
4
:
o
-2
-4
-4>
:

,* spate/ variation of phase for the waves at a media interface.

% 5.24 Variation of phase velocity in z direction, v as a function of z .

- :

*1avetdiUm 2 , In medium 2 the fields are rather simple as there is only one travelling
* - The a nplitude of the field is
( 5.144 )
IE2 I = r± |Eiol
pha
the wave (including the time phase) is
<t>2 = wt - fox Sin 0, + foz cos 0, ( 5.145 )
 Electromagnetic Waves
248
in
The amplitude of the field is constant every where medium 2 (sec Fj
Consequently, the phase
_
and the phase varies linearly with .t and c . velo rty
x and c directions
<»
^ ,r>
Vr' ~ sin 0,
to
%
Vpc = h cos 6, (5
- l47 ,
are constant in space.
It should be clear that although the above analysis has been carried out forti
perpendicular polarization , the discussion is valid for any polarization . The thijJ
to note are that due to interference of the incident and the reflected waves,
do not have constant field strength in medium 1 . For a field receiver, like a
receiver or a mobile phone, moving in medium 1 , the receiver output
radio
therefore
varies since it encounters stronger field at some place and weaker field at other
^
This phenomenon is called ‘signal fading’ . For a single media interface , as
taken
here, the field pattern is quite regular and predictable . In an environment where
there are many reflecting boundaries , the field patterns are quite complex and the
fading becomes more or less random. In modem communication systems, the
fading is one of the prime issues. This aspect will be discussed in detail in the
chapter on ‘propagation of electromagnetic waves’ .

5.9 LOSSY MEDIA INTERFACE

As discussed earlier, if the conductivity of a dielectric medium is non- zero, the
medium becomes a lossy medium. The propagation constant and the intrinsic
impedance of a lossy medium are

Y = v/y w/z ( T + j
'
)=a + jp (5.148)

w
( (t )

jm
(5.149 )
G + jtO
If we replace jfi by complex y , in the formulation carried out in the previous
section, we get the general formulation for any lossy media interface.
formulation is valid for any arbitrary but finite value of conductivity. For
rideal conductor), however, we have to reformulate
*t *=^
the problem . This is due
facl that for an ideal conduclor. one has to include
surface current in the bound *
conditions. The continuity of the tangential
component of the magnetic
not valid for an ideal conductor as we 1
have taken in our boundary cond '
Therefore , the case of ideal conducting
^
boundary will be analyzed separJK >
though the extension of results from a
straight forward, one may encounter
loss - less media to lossy media apt'
certain conceptual difficulties rc$*Tj
^ •

ongin of the me,dent wave in medium

1 . In the loss- less case, we never
where the incident wave was originated
and how much distance it had tr»'
4
 plane Waves at
Media Interface
249
• .
£ the interface This question was

/ ^
, reaC ! * c wave was constant, and no rather unimportant because, the
i

it had the same amplitude

matter how much the wave
. This, however, is not
ume that the incident wave was originated
travelled
true for a lossy
, ilic i* " .-.jcC it would attenuate to zero for any finite valuean ofinfinite
^ C
at distance
111 '
CV \
f*°nl valoc^o 0 On the other hand if wc assume that an incident wave
u ( that is any
at qic interface, and if it was originated of finite
**** nl
* energy would be infinite at its origin infinite distance
. aS in practice neither the
at an
. Well, wc need not
i the *
l(
°r0’ ab°Ul 11 they be ideal plane waveswaves would have travelled infinite
. In our analysis, therefore,
' a.ince’ n°r
, wave whose we start
% devn»n inC amplitude is known at
0 media in the vicinity of the interface with
the interface and find the
proper incorporation

A uniform plane is normally incident on an infinitely

aMPLE 5.10
slab, having dielectric constant 10
•
kdielectric . If power
2
and loss tangent 1 () at "

rad/sec the density of the incident wave is 100 W / m 2.

of the wave in the dielectric at a distance of 10 m from
find the power density
the surface.
Solution: a
1
Loss tangent =
O) 0 r
= 10
(7
= 10 20 ) o r = 0.01 X 1010 x ——r
367
X J—
10 = -
36n
For the incident wave the power density is

P = »7o = 100 W/ m 2
(All the quantities are assumed to be RMS here.)
( Ej | = v/ lOOr/o = 194.16 V / m
^ transmitted field at the surface is
\ E,\ = r \ Ei \ = »7 i + »72

Here »71 = »7o = v y^ = 120TT

j (OflQ 119.2 + / 0.6

and rti = ja + jaXofr =
Tliercfore, |£,| UI(„ = ‘»3.3 V /m
1 -
250 Electromagnetic Waves

Smee. the dielectric slab is lossy, the field amplitude reduces exp
fe ~*r ? u a function of distance where, ^
a
— |/ jojfiotfT 4
Re « *

The magnitude at 10 m distance from the surface is

joxoTr ) | — 0.527 nepers/m
IE,| = lErl^ e-
27 0
" ' = 0.48 V/m
The power density of the wave is
IE ,!1 _ (0.48)

119.2
*
= 1.93 mW / m 2
flefot )

EXAMPLE 5.11 A plane wave is normally incident on an

infm j
thick dielectric slab of refractive index 2. Find the phase velocities
total waves in air and in the dielectric slab. If the velocity varies with of $
^
find the upper and lower bounds on the phase velocity. distant
Solution:
We can note that in air we have incident as well as the reflected
waves whereas m
the dielectric we have only transmitted wave. In air, theref ,
ore we get standing
wave and in the dielectric we have only a traveling wave.
Let the phase constant of a wave in air be fa. Then
the phase constant in the
dielectric is = fan = 2$>. In the dielectric the
phase velocity
CD 0)
v> = -r w r V p = cl 2
fNote: = c, the velocity of light in air.) In
phase velocity from the first principles. the air, we have to find the
Writing the total electric field for the
standing wave in the air we have
E = ( Eie-iP >z 4- TEie+Jhz ) ejojt
(

Here. the time variation is written

explicitly and V is the reflection coefficie®1
r = 1)2 ~ ni = W - y?o 1 n 1 2
” - _ 1 -
h 2 + 7) i
Substituting for T we get,
n -
no / n0 1 + n 1 + 2 “
3

E = E , e - ** ~ 1
' V
+ jhz ej <»i
i,
3 A,z ] -( + j- sin /Soz]} "*
COS /Ioz
^
 plane Waves at
Media /n/ <'rface
|
= (2 co* Poz - J 4 tinflKlej„ 251

standing wave, therefore, h

of the
^
( ft — — ait tan -’ I i! Az I
U cos /),,; )
= cot - tan 1
12 tan
locity can be obtained by making the phase
si C' stationary as a function
clip

= ftJ
(O

_ 2A sec )
^
-Jr- = 0 = — ltan -' (2 ta nftn!.l )
~
2

1 + 4 tan 2 /fo
~

^ phase velocity vp = ^—dt + 4 tan2 )V

A> 2 sec2 /V

—J
-jEimum values of phase velocity are 2c and c/ 2.
c

Tiepbase velocity in air, therefore, varies as a function z. The maximum and^ c°s2 A)Z + 2 sin2
^ozJ

5.10 REFLECTION FROM A CONDUCTING BOUNDARY

Let us investigate the reflection of a plane wave from an ideal conducting boundary
la = oc). In this case, we have a dielectric-conductor interface and
the plane
•ive is incident from the dielectric side. Since, no fields can exist inside an ideal
conductor, there is no question of transmission (i.e. refraction ) of the wave to
ccdium 2. We, therefore, have only reflection at the dielectric-conductor interface.
As m previous case,
here also, we analyse reflection of two polarizations, namely
^kl perpendicular.
$ 10.1
Perpendicular Polarization

^ .
consider a plane wave with perpendicular polarization as shown in Fig.5.25
angle of incidence be 0„ and let the E- ftelds for both incident and

.
^ waves be oriented along + v-direc ion. The directions of the I-helds
0blain
«l using the Poynting vector, i.e. E x H should g ve the direct on
avc Propagation. Thefields for the incident wave hence can be written as
,
(5.150)

_
H, = £i£ £ - , U 5infl,, + zco*ft ) ( cosfti + sin 0, z ) (5.151 )
Hi
^
 Waves
ar,a / / lectrotruiynette

II , co* 0t

I lr sin 0, Ideal conductor

£
\

No fields
z
0 ,

Hj sin 0,

0,
Hj
Hi cos 0,
Fig. 5.25 Reflection from a conducting boundary: Perpendicular polarization.

and the reflected fields can he written as

Kr = E,oe~^ ^ x %in 0,~zco o‘ } y %
(5.152)

||r =
^ l }L( - JPiasinOl - zco% Ot ) (cos Oj
fl i
/

Applying boundary conditions at the interface, i.e continuity of the tangent

x -f sin 0, z) (5.153)

.
components of the electric field and the normal
components of the tnag#* u
field , and noting that the fields are zero inside an
ideal conductor, we get at:*
^lion = (HE 4- Er , „ = 0
( | ) (l (5.1- ^»
(5. U
Minor = | + Hr )n„r = 0
,
Noting that the K fields are y*oriented
we gel from Eqn (5.154),
and hence are tangential to the » lte ^
ne- JPi* * ino,+ -
Er0e ' fi' xtiaO' = 0
. <6)
(5 l'

For normal component f /.-component ) of the

magnetic field we have,
L>
" sill 0tC / /*i * »in 0, + ErO sm 0.e jfltx <MO 0
»/ l
rjl
- .= -^
(5 1
 Plane Waves at Med,7, Interface
*53

) end ( 5.157 ) both give the some condition, i.e .

5.156
(
Era = - Em
. . (5.158 )

ErO
^'
t Ip1 =
Em — 1
( 5.159 )

, ,haL cJerntTn ,hC VOl,a«e reflection coefficient

' o
^ r,
0
may «ca
* circuit on
the
w the short
fluting for Er0 from Eqn (5.158), the total field in medium I i,
Ei = Ej + Er
= Eioe X ” n6 ( e- jfozcosO, _ ejfilZa»0,
jP , ~ i

= — 2 jEjo sln( Pizcos Qi )e ~ jp , x *in 9‘ y ^ (5.160)

(5.161 )

Similarly, H-field can be written as:

Hj = Hi + Hr
— /»
^
_ cos 0 x + sin 0 )e -
« Jfsin
“< ‘
,
= r? ^ i
[( ' l
- i2
" Ajc

— (cos 0, x + sin diZ )ej^tzax ‘ ] 0 ( 5.162 )

—m cos Oj [ e ~ ^ ' zaxd‘ + e^ , ]e ~

1 ZCOi 0
^ x sin * x
1

, zcos ® - e~
Sin 0/ [
^ i
^ xzcoi 9, ]e ^' x ***** z
~ * (5.163 )

cosO, cos( t z cos 6, )e ^''

9'
= -2 — x
“

ni ^
-Ij — sxnOi sin( PiZCOsei )e- *i
JfitMKa (5.164 )
m
bm0ns (
5.161 ) and ( 5.164 ) represe nt a travelling wave in +*-direction and a
n of |£\|. |//,| and \ HZ \
w
'ng Wave iz z-direction. Figure 5.26 shows variatio
.
a function of distance in c-direction
prQnfnepF,.ls8 ^5.26
-
!
! ,' "
follow ing points can be noted:
IW I standing wave patterns arc aligned in space
- whereas, the I W I .
^
a d g wave
I )"Patter
by quardrature with
respect to the l «- l (or
' n. "where| |is maximum.|/f l is zero and vree versa.
pattern
TL is shifted
ft .
 2f,4
Electromagnetic Waves
I Ey|
2 Eio

z
I H /|
2 H ,0 sinO ,
Til

| HX|
2 Eio cos8 j
Til

Fig . 5.26 Variation of amplitudes of the field components as function of distance

from the conducting boundary.

2. \ Ey\ and \ HZ \ are zero at the interface as required by the boundary

conditions.
3. The electric field Ey also becomes zero, when
/Jizcosfl, = ± niTT m = 0, 1, 2, •• (5.165)
mn
=> z —
— ft cos 0,-
\
mk !
2 cos 0,
(5.166)

Here, we have used

—
since z is negative in medium 1.
2n / k \ and only negative sign has been chosen

Equation (5.166) is the equation of a plane

parallel to the .ry-p ’
i.e. parallel to the interface. We, therefore, see
that the electric field
^
zero in all planes which are parallel to the

field which is normal to the planes, is

words, the magnetic field becomes tangential
interface and are at d sta
Xi / 2 cos 0t , 2Xi / 2 cos 0j, 3Xj / 2 cos 0, , and so on. Also, from Eqn (5
the z -componcnt of the magnetic field , i.e
. the component of the niagne
also zero in these planes. In 0 f
on these planes.
^^
‘ -”
 /'/one Waves at
Media Interface
magnetic field comP°"' « «, b zero 255
The " whcn
f ] \ Z cos 0/ = ± 2m -f - 1 )!L
(
2 m * 0, 1, 2, . . . (5.167 )

=> z = -( 2m -f i )
2/ , * H2m + l )

^
i
*^
of the magnetic . . . „ . 4 C0 ®
*'
( 5168 )

The tangential , since

component
5 *
interface. Now there is no magnetic field in • , maximum at the
,
^ to be a surface current at the interface

where A unit outward normal

J» = A x II
to the interface. For our
hc conductor there
’

(5.169)

coordinate system
h = z. We , therefore , have
.1» = Z X II = tlx £
ma8ni,Ulle f (2£,oCOS 0 )
(5.170)

) l and it flow, along

rcctionCUrrent “
+
^ -
° / ' '
6. The net power flow is in .r direction , that is along the interface. This can be
seen in two ways:
(a ) The fields represent a travelling wave along + jt direction with a phase
sin 0/ .
-
constant f$\ x = ,
( b) If we calculate the average Poynting vector (E*H ) , we find that the
fields Ey and Hx are 90° out of phase, giving average power flow ^
zero along z-direction. The fields Ey and Hz are however in phase,
and therefore constitute an average power flow along +.t -direction
(y x z x ). The average power flow density is
=
Px = 2 E2osin 0,- sin2(0izcos 0, ) (5.171)
The wavelength along the interface is
In (5.172)
/31 sin 0i sin 0*
8. This case
is analogous to a short-circuited transmission line. If we take Ey
fur voltage V on the transmission line, the variation of Ev is same as the
voltage standing wave pattern on the line.
° = .,
TT / 2, i .e. for grazing incidence E becomes
zero. We can therefore
conducting
include that no wave with X polarization can be launched at a
interface at the grazing angle.
I ^ Parallel Polarization

l §SS
, “2 |
sjS i
^ has o be perpendicular to the plane of
the pap £
 .
V» \ 0 / 7»vfnumi( / nWiV IVntu’s
>

\ y »in ( \ •+ , *1'
1 V X
X
»
* X
l , ws ( \
Ideal conductor

x
.X k
l , OOS t \
X
Pi, 4
E, sin /
H» /

Fig. 5.27 Rejection from conducting boundary: parallel polarization

.

.
generality let us assume that the magnetic fields tor both , incident and reflec
ted
waves point out of the plane of the paper, i.e. along + y-axis. The direction of
the electric fields can be appropriately chosen to give correct direct
ions of the
Poynting vectors for the two waves as shown in Fig. 5.27.
Hie vector fields tor the incident and the reflected waves can be writte as
n
tal Incident Wave:
|
|i =m 15.173»
E
*= _ sin 0, i} 15.174»
( b) Reflected Wave:
r
—n
Hr = 12 c - JfiA*
\
*
t > .
— ErQe ~
l - cos 0, x — sin 04 i } (5-' c "

Continuitv of the tangential components

U = 0) yields
of the electric field at the in*
^ , y*>
E .Qsx*id . e~ #' * *** -
Er* cos 0,
>

FrO £ rg
—
** * =0
1 t- 1
45.1 -
 .
rU \nr Muxs » f MnlU , Intvvfuw
air/
coefficient for the Held dlrccilon H 'uuiiiied In Fig
o « vflection . v /7 h
,^ is il»
*
r „ « -- I ( VI 79 )
Km
lor £Vo
, mm - I 7K )
( *> mid currying out Nome ulgebrlc

:;> ’" u s wo got

Ki Ki + *
=
T

"""' I ./ CKO, sln( /l ; cos », )» , .

- »lnH, co« /l, zco «, »|
(

( 5.1 HO )

md
U .= n /:•
Hi + IIP = 2 — - cos( /i|2 cosOi )c W ' x %lnn> $
(

of the above equations are similar to that for the

( 5.1 HI )

The interpretations
perpendicular polarization except that the lield components arc different in two
cases. In this case the electric Held has two components Ex and E and the .
magnetic Held has only Hy component . The fields have standing wave nature in
- direction and a travelling wave nature in the .v - direction 'flic standing wave .
^patterns for the three components are shown in Fig. 5.28 .
Following observations can be made from Eqns ( 5.180) and ( 5.181 ):
1. |£;| and | Hy| patterns are aligned in space and | Ex | pattern is in quadrature
with respect to them .
2. At the interface the magnetic Held is enhanced by factor of 2 i.e. the magnetic
field at the interface is double of that of the incident Held .
The surface current at the interface is \ JS \ 2£JO / ? I and > s independent of
=
the angle of incidence.
^ The wave travels along .v direction with a phase constant of
-
P\ x = P\ sin 0i
,

s
g ving guided wavelength along the interface

sinW, “
2TT
ft,
A . (5.182 )

* verage power flow is along .v direction and the average power

flow
J“
density is
-
iRe
( - £tHy =
) 2 £ jbsinftcosI ( /i lcoS 9l ) (5.183 ) ,
.
.
Power flow ceases for 0 0 i.e. for the normal incidence
,=
 258 Electromagnetic 1 t\wcs

I*,I

^ cos a
IES\

-Eft sin 0 t

iqi

-E o /
/ rjt

F« 9- 5.28
Amplitude
variation of field components
the conducting
boundary. as function of distance from
6. The x-component
of the electric
interface and at locations field goes to zero
in planes
given by parallel to the
z= —mn = -
o ttl7T

7.
Again,

For Oi
°"'y -ve Sign is taken JT
' -^
en as z is negative
in medjum |
(5. IW )

= ^/2, i.e. at the grazing

incidence,
E< = ~ 2 Eioe-Je„i
Note that
the parallel unlike JL polarization,
H, = 2
m "y —^
a parallely polarization. This is duethe reflection at
polarized to
e~

grazing angle P ibte M ^

(5.I 51*

boundary, and the wave, the electric the fact that for the grazing ,°
other words, in magnetic field is nC
this case the field is tangential perpendicular to the n(j0c
component of
the magnetictangential componentto the conducting
boundary conditions field are of the electric field an j
^ ^
at the
intrinsically
not have any
effect on the interface.The
wave conducting
propagation and
zero satisfying *
boundary *
the wave keepsconseflne
propaga
^^ 1
 plane Waves at Media Interface
259
jin the absenc e of the boundary
, nroPa - atLtn
the absence of the boundary
. There is a little difference .
^^
—
thal the wave fronts will be over
-
KC
' ' CU
[ C *P
3<:C
( T oo), whereas,
in
- the presence of the boundary
ly over the semi infinite space ( 00
-
< z < 0 ).
incidence
K
^ 3 H°
^lVil ‘
inc
j

ce^ Q .
nn (t
_E 0oriente
and E and lit become
|
d along the x -direction
parallel to the conducting
, and H| and \\ along
T
*

Eioe- j^ x
Ej =
( 5.187)

—*
Hi = e - j f i' zy
11
( 5.188 )

Reflected Wave:
Er = Eroe^ x ( 5.189 )

Hr = (5.190)

=
the interface (i.e. z 0), the electric field, which is inherently tangential to
the boundary in this case, has to be zero, giving
El = (£/ o + Ero )x = 0 ( 5.191 )
.
£0 = — ErQ ( 5.192 )
The reflection coefficient therefore is

r = — = -1 ( 5.193 )
Ei0
It can be observed that this case is identical to a transmission line where the wave
propagation is in one dimension ( along z -direction ), and the line is terminated
a short circuit load. Since of the reflection coefficient is unity.
”^ere is no net average powertheflow in anyudedirecti
magnit
on.
The above analysis clearly indicates that irrespective of the polarization ot
incident wave, the electric field component parallel to the boundary goes to
. al a distance mXi 2 cos 0, from the boundary. This means, it we place an
te ducting /
"' “" ,
i
w
Z?
l y sa
" of another
plane parallel to the interface at this distance, the fields wouhl
isfy Ihe boundary conditions and hence would not be disturbed. The
conducting plane however, creates a bound structure rn he .
-Citing
ty
u n).
°
oth« words, the electromagnetic fields are confined between two
planes and there is a net flow of power along the planes ( along
 FJectromag netic Waves
260 a very practic StrtJ
waveguide , allhough not
waveguide* . The parallel
plane structure , the ‘rectangular V %„
forms the foundation of a more practical
energy penetrates a conducts ?
5 uide’ f
that even though no
course there are surface V°Un<V
Chafge
^
note ,
is interesting to
How of power. Of the wave . '
the boundary controls the
responsible for the guiding of
surface curre nts which arc

5.11 SUMMARY the wave

developed a frame work for propagaijf
In this chapter, we have respect to the coordinate axes. The reflection of n?
first '

an arbitrary' direction with investigated further. The laws of reflect

^^
was
waves from media interfaces from the phase matching of the wave ?
and refraction have been established
oblique incidences for both the polariz ' *
as
the interface. Normal as well expressions for the reflection and transmit
of total internal reflection h ^
the
have been investigated and phenomenon
The
coefficients have been derived .
the end of the chapter, reflection from tk.
been analysed in detail . Towards conducting boundary
is studied and it is shown that the
conducting boundaries
along them .
guide the electromagnetic energy guiding structures called the wavemiide*.
This sets the foundation for the wave
waveguides and later the
the next chapter we will analyse different metallic
In
dielectric waveguides.

Review Questions
5 l What is a media interface? travelling in c
front of a unifrom plane wave
5.2 What is the equation of a phase
arbitrary direction?
range?
53 What is phase velocity and what is its
5.4 What is group velocity?
equal?
5.5 In what situation are the phase and group velocities
5.6 What is a plane of incidence?
is incident on a pk*
5.7 Give arguments to show that when a uniform plane wave plane wa't*-
media interface , the reflected and refracted waves are also uniform
5.8 What are the laws of reflection and refraction?
5.9 Define angles of incidence , reflection and refraction .
5.10 What docs perpendicular and parallel polarization mean?
5.11 What are reflection and transmission coefficients?
5.12 If the magnitude of reflection coefficient is one , should the transmission
be zero? Why?
5.13 Can the transmitted electric field be greater than the incident electric ^ 6 *

5.14 Can the reflected electric field be greater than the incident electric field
5.15 Under what condition is the reflection coefficient real? &
s
5.16 If the transmitted electric field is greater than the incident electric field 1
transmitted magnetic field be necessarily smaller than llie incident tnagh^
*
 plane Waves at Media Interface 261
dia interface can
one get rcflcctionless
0 nlC transmission?
On
5.17, jSBrewster angle? ,
5. 8 Why is ,hc BrcWStCr ang C alS° Callcd , hc P< >lari /.ing angle?
!° Electric , hiCfk f S C is COa ,ctl
'

y,
5
5’2

_
n
n An inftnitc

Why does a
constant
wave ?
of the coated

incident linearly polarized wave

layer so
^ ‘ with * electric layer. What is the
^
as to not get any reflection for a
normally

remain linearly polarized after reflection from a

• '
dielectric interface but the circularly polarised wave become clliptically polarised?
, is total internal reflection?
5 2 What
the difference between TIR and ordinary reflection?
< 23 What is
linearly polarized wave remain linearly polarized after TIR ? Explain.
5 24 Will a
propagation constant of the transmitted fields at TIR ?
5 25 What is the
5 26 How does the
transmitted fields vary as a function of distance away from the
interface?
5.27 Draw the amplitude variation of net travelling wave at TIR .
5.28 For a dielectric interface does the Brewster angle always exist?
5.29 At TIR what is the direction of net power flow?
5.30 At a conducting interface why is the reflection coefficient - 1 ?
5.31 A uniform plane wave is obliquely incident on an ideal conducting interface. What
is the direction of the surface current at the interface? See for both perpendicular
and parallel polarizations.

P r o b1e m s
51 The electric field
of a uniform plane wave in vacuum is given as
E = (20x + 4y - Sz )e ~ jinl 2 + Z V / m
y )

F,nd the vector

magnetic field and the direction of the wave.
5
^ In a dielectric medium a wave has electric and magnetic fields given as
- jn( x + z ) V m
E = Ox + 2$ - ji )e /
- +
( - x + Jf + & *"* * V / m
H= —
60 r
;

£"Vel* "»city« 'he wave is a uniform plane wave ? Find ( i ) phase constant of the wave
the wave
5.3 *
° of the wave ( ii ) frequency of .
Phme wave travels in the yz-plane at an angle of 30« from the ay direction The
.
,h?'nc held of urn wave is oriented in the . -direction wtth amphtude ..
>0 V /m It

——
niedinni has ,h(. conslant „[ 2.5. lind the
vector nugnel c l cW the

*4 ^^
p. Vcclor and the phase constant of the wave
. Frequency of the wave is l GHz.

\
*•
- *• ' -
262 Elect romagnet ic Waves

4 respectively, find the vector electricand magnetic fields. What ;ifc

constants and phase velocities of the wave in
the *. y and z -directiow?
of the wave is 10 MHz.
CJL
5.5 Two uniform plane waves of equal strengths. one travelling along ihe
and other travelling in the jrz - plane at an angle of 60 with respect to ^
^%
co-exist in a medium . The dielectric constant of the medium is 4. Flnd
velocity of the compositic wave along the z - dircction . Also find theconvt ,.
and constant electric field amplitude surfaces of the combined wave. ^ ^N
5.6 A 100 MHz plane wave is launched at an angle 0 from the ground. The
along the ground is measured to be 5 m . bind the value of 0 and the pha
^
5.7
of the wave along the ground surface and in the vertical direction .
group velocity of the wave in the vertical direction?
An clliptically polarized TEM wave travels in vacuum in the xy- planc withdir.a
^
cosines (0.8, 0.6, 0). The axial ratio of the ellipse is 2.5 and the major axil (
ellipse lies in the xy- planc . Write the expression for the electric and magnetjc
J?
if the peak electric field is 20 V/m . ^
5.8 A uniform wave is incident from air on an infinitely thick medium at the
of incidence of 35°. Find the angle of reflection and angle of transmission ,

medium has // , = 49 and r = 6. What is the phase velocity of the wave along 1
media interface? *
5.9 A dielectric interface is along z = 0 plane. The medium for z > 0 is air and fai
< 0 is water with refractive index 1.33. If the incident wave vector has direct
^
cosines (0.4, 0.5, i ) . Find the direction cosines of the wave vectors of the reflected
-
and transmitted waves.
5.10 When a light beam enters a dielectric medium from air, its path is deviated by
and is slowed down by a factor 1.5 . What is the phase velocity of the wave ala;
the dielectric air interface?
5.11 A plane wave having peak electric field of 25 V/m is incident at a air dielectrc
interface with perpendicular polarization. The dielectric constant of the medio
is 2.4 and the angle of incidence is 30° . Find the power density of the incident
reflected and transmitted waves.
5.12 Show that a circularly polarized wave cannot remain circularly polarized ift®
reflecting from a dielectric interface .
5.13 A light beam is incident on a glass slab at an angle of incidence of 50 . Thtflij
is linearly polarized and the plane of polarization makes an angle of 30’
'
*
plane of incidence . By what angle does the plane of polarization rotate wl*11 '
beam gets inside the glass slab?
5.14 A plane wave is incident with parallel polarization at a dielectric interface.
,
media have parameters fi , =Mo , M = 3, l 2 10 / ,
= ,0 er 2 = 2: Find
theexpr
for the incident , reflected and transmitted waves if the angle between the *
and transmitted wave vectors is 90 \ The peak incident electric field is 10 V/°\
^^^
5.15 A 1 GHz. electromagnetic wave is normally incident on a 3 cm thick pl
*W rici
constam 5‘ What cent of the incident power is transmitted