Electromagnetic Plane

Waves

Ansys Innovation Course

Sources
The material presented herein is from the following sources:

“Elements of Electromagnetics,” by Matthew N.O Sadiku, 5th ed. (2010)

“Engineering Electromagnetics,” by Nathan Ida, 3rd ed. (2015)
“Microwave Engineering,” by David Pozar, 4th ed. (2012)
What is a Plane Wave?
A plane wave is a transverse electromagnetic wave that is constant, in both magnitude and
direction, over a plane normal to the direction of propagation

A transverse electromagnetic, or TEM, wave, is a wave where the electric field 𝐸 and
magnetic field 𝐻 are perpendicular both to one another, and to the direction of
propagation.

A TEM wave
What is a Plane Wave?
A plane wave is a transverse electromagnetic wave that is constant, in both magnitude and direction,
over a plane normal to the direction of propagation

If you look at an electromagnetic wave on a plane normal to the direction of propagation…

A TEM wave may vary over the plane (in A plane wave is constant over that plane.
field direction or magnitude)
What is a Plane Wave?
A plane wave is a transverse electromagnetic wave that is constant, in both magnitude and direction, over a
plane normal to the direction of propagation

Consider: A TEM wave has the following electric field:

𝐸 = 𝐸𝑜 𝑒 −𝑗2𝑧 𝑎ෞ𝑦 (phasor domain)

𝐸 = 𝐸𝑜 cos(ω𝑡 − 2𝑧)ෞ
𝑎𝑦 (time domain)

from which we may observe that:

• The wave is propagating in the +z direction
• The electric field is oriented along the y-axis
• Since the wave is TEM, the magnetic field will be
oriented along the x-axis
y • 𝐸𝑜 is the magnitude of the electric field vector.

z Note: If 𝑬𝒐 does not vary as a function of x or y, this

equation represents a plane wave.
What is a Plane Wave?
Plane waves are mathematically convenient constructs we can use to derive general principles
about electromagnetic waves.

Notes:
Plane waves are simplified idealizations of electromagnetic waves
(no real wave is perfectly constant over a plane).

Waves may often be approximated as plane waves with great

accuracy (as when far from the source).

Electromagnetic wave properties are often derived with respect to

plane waves, because of their mathematical simplicity. However,
the principles derived from plane wave analysis are often
generalizable to all EM waves.
Intrinsic Impedance of Plane Waves
A plane wave has a fixed ratio of electric field magnitude to magnetic field magnitude.

Recall, the source-free wave equations for electric and magnetic fields were
given by:
∇2 𝐸 − 𝑘 2 𝐸 = 0

∇2 𝐻 − 𝑘 2 𝐻 = 0

which have plane-wave solutions of the form:

𝐸 = 𝐸𝑜 + 𝑒 −𝑗𝑘∙𝑟 + 𝐸𝑜 − 𝑒 +𝑗𝑘∙𝑟 𝑎ො𝑒

𝐻 = 𝐻𝑜 + 𝑒 −𝑗𝑘∙𝑟 + 𝐻𝑜 − 𝑒 +𝑗𝑘∙𝑟 𝑎ොℎ

𝑎ො𝑒
where we know that 𝑎ො𝑒 , 𝑎ොℎ , and 𝑘
form a right-handed triad: 𝑘
𝑎ොℎ
Intrinsic Impedance of Plane Waves
A plane wave has a fixed ratio of electric field magnitude to magnetic field magnitude.
So, for a plane wave propagating in the ± z-direction, with electric field oriented
along the x-axis, we have

𝐸 = 𝐸𝑥 + 𝑒 −𝑗𝑘𝑧 + 𝐸𝑥 − 𝑒 +𝑗𝑘𝑧 𝑎ො𝑥

𝐻 = 𝐻𝑦 + 𝑒 −𝑗𝑘𝑧 + 𝐻𝑦 − 𝑒 +𝑗𝑘𝑧 𝑎ො𝑦

But by Faraday’s Law, we also have:

1 𝑥 𝑧
𝐻=− ∇×𝐸
𝑗𝜔𝜇
𝑘
𝐻 = 𝜔𝜇 𝐸𝑥 + 𝑒 −𝑗𝑘𝑧 − 𝐸𝑥 − 𝑒 +𝑗𝑘𝑧 𝑎ො𝑦

which we may equate to the expression for 𝐻 above to obtain the following two
𝑦
relations:
+ 𝜔𝜇 + − 𝜔𝜇 −
𝐸𝑥 = 𝐻 𝐸𝑥 = − 𝐻
𝑘 𝑦 𝑘 𝑦
Intrinsic Impedance of Plane Waves
A plane wave has a fixed ratio of electric field magnitude to magnetic field magnitude.

Now we are ready to define a new term. The “Intrinsic Impedance” of a wave is
given by:
𝐸𝑥 + 𝐸𝑥 − 𝜔𝜇 𝜇
𝜂= +=− −= =
𝐻𝑦 𝐻𝑦 𝑘 𝜀

Or, in words,

Forward E Backward E μ
intrinsic impedance = =− =
Forward H Backward H ε

Note: in free space,

𝜇𝑜
𝜂𝑜 = = 377Ω
𝜀𝑜
Intrinsic Impedance of Plane Waves
A plane wave has a fixed ratio of electric field magnitude to magnetic field magnitude.

Using the intrinsic impedance, if you’re told that you’re dealing with a TEM wave,
and you know the electric field, you can write the magnetic field directly, and 𝑧
vice versa.

Ex) If the electric field of a TEM wave is given by: 𝑘 𝐻

𝐸 = 𝐸𝑥 + 𝑒 −𝑗𝑘𝑧 𝑎ො𝑥 + 𝐸𝑦 + 𝑒 −𝑗𝑘𝑧 𝑎ො𝑦 𝑦
what is its magnetic field? 𝑥 𝐸
Solution:
Propagation is in +z, so by the right-hand rule, the x-component of the electric field
will contribute a y-component to the magnetic field. The y-component of the
electric field will contribute a negative x-component to the magnetic field. The
ratios are dictated by the characteristic impedance, so…
𝐸𝑦 + −𝑗𝑘𝑧 𝐸𝑥 + −𝑗𝑘𝑧
𝐻= 𝑒 𝑎ො𝑥 − 𝑒 𝑎ො𝑦
𝜂 𝜂
Material Interaction with Plane Waves
A plane wave propagating in a dielectric will have different properties than a plane wave
propagating in free space…

Let’s look back again at the source-free wave equations: ∇2 𝐸 − 𝑘 2 𝐸 = 0

∇2 𝐻 − 𝑘 2 𝐻 = 0

Here, the wavenumber k is given by: 𝑘 = 𝜔 𝜇𝜖

1
from which we obtain that the phase velocity of the wave is: 𝑣𝑝ℎ =
𝜇𝜖

1
In free space, this works out to: 𝑣𝑝ℎ = = 3 × 108 𝑚/𝑠
𝜇𝑜 𝜖𝑜

but in a material, we must consider the possibility of 𝜇≠ 𝜇𝑜 , 𝜖≠ 𝜖𝑜 .

Material Interaction with Plane Waves
A plane wave propagating in a dielectric will have different properties than a
plane wave propagating in free space…

The response of a material to an electromagnetic field is modeled using the

material properties of magnetic permeability (𝜇) and electric permittivity (𝜖). In
past modules, we have introduced the notation:

𝜇 = 𝜇𝑟 𝜇𝑜 , 𝜖 = 𝜖𝑟 𝜖𝑜
where 𝜇𝑟 is the “relative permeability” and 𝜖𝑟 is the “relative permittivity” of the
material.

Now we will expand this model using the following notation, which allows us to
account for dielectric losses in the material:

𝜇 = 𝜇𝑟 𝜇𝑜
𝜖 = 𝜖 ′ +𝑗𝜖′′
Material Interaction with Plane Waves
A plane wave propagating in a dielectric will have different properties than a
plane wave propagating in free space…
𝜖 = 𝜖 ′ + 𝑗𝜖′′
In this equation, the real part is the lossless permittivity, like we had before:

𝜖′ = 𝜖𝑟 𝜖𝑜
The imaginary component accounts for dielectric losses, which are introduced by
conductivity (𝜎) in the material according to the following relation:
𝜎
𝜖′′ =
𝜔
We will also define the loss tangent, as:

𝜖′′ 𝜎
tan δ = =
𝜖′ 𝜔𝜖𝑟 𝜖𝑜
Material Interaction with Plane Waves
A plane wave propagating in a dielectric will have different properties than a
plane wave propagating in free space…

𝜖 = 𝜖 ′ + 𝑗𝜖′′
This means that, to account for the possibility of losses, we must use the complex
propagation constant γ, defined by:

γ = 𝑗𝑘 = 𝑗𝜔 𝜇(𝜖 ′ + 𝑗𝜖 ′′ ) = α + 𝑗β

Note that, here, α is the attenuation constant, and β is the lossless propagation
constant.

Let’s look at how this plays out in terms of a wave…

Material Interaction with Plane Waves
A plane wave propagating in a dielectric will have different properties than a
plane wave propagating in free space…
A plane wave propagating in +x through a lossy medium, with electric field oriented
in z, is described by:

𝐸 = 𝐸𝑜 𝑒 −γ𝑥 𝑎ො𝑧 = 𝐸𝑜 𝑒 −(α+𝑗β)𝑥 𝑎ො𝑧 = 𝐸𝑜 𝑒 −α𝑥 𝑒 −𝑗β𝑥 𝑎ො𝑧

This is a sinusoidal function, according to 𝑒 −𝑗β𝑥 , that decays at a rate of 𝑒 −α𝑥 .

𝑒 −𝑗β𝑥

𝑒 −α𝑥

2𝜋
𝜆=
𝑒 −α𝑥 𝑒 −𝑗β𝑥 𝛽
Polarization of Plane Waves
Polarization describes the time-varying orientation of the electric field.

The polarization of a plane wave is categorized according to the figure traced by

the tip of the electric field vector over time, on a fixed plane normal to the
direction of propagation.

All plane waves exhibit one of the following three categories of polarization:

1) Linear Polarization
2) Circular Polarization
3) Elliptical Polarization
Polarization of Plane Waves
To determine the polarization of a plane wave, perform the following steps:
1) Make sure you are looking at the time-domain representation of the electric field.

2) Choose a convenient observation plane normal to the direction of propagation.

3) Choose a moment in time, and plot the electric field vector on the observation plane at that moment.

4) Determine how increasing time will change the electric field.

5) If the tip of the electric field traces out a line, the wave is linearly polarized. If it will trace a circle, the
wave is circularly polarized, and if it traces an ellipse, the wave is elliptically polarized.

A Linear Trace A Circular Trace An Elliptical Trace

Linear Polarization
Linear Polarization occurs when the electric field varies in only a single direction.

For example, if a plane wave has an electric field given by:

𝐸 = 𝐸𝑜 cos(ω𝑡 − 2𝑥)ෞ
𝑎𝑧

This electric field, viewed on any

plane perpendicular to the
direction of propagation, will vary
only up and down along the z-axis
Linear Polarization
Linear Polarization occurs when the electric field varies in only a single direction.

𝐸 = 𝐸𝑜 cos(ω𝑡 − 2𝑥)ෞ
𝑎𝑧

Notes: In order for a plane wave to exhibit linear polarization, it must have an
electric field that either
1) Varies in only a single direction
Ex) 𝐸 = 𝐸𝑧 cos(ω𝑡 − 2𝑥)ෞ
𝑎𝑧

or

2) Consists of two orthogonal components that are out of

phase by some multiple of ± 180o
Ex) 𝐸 = 𝐸𝑦 cos(ω𝑡 − 2𝑥)ෞ
𝑎𝑦 + 𝐸𝑧 cos(ω𝑡 − 2𝑥 + 𝑛𝜋)ෞ
𝑎𝑧
Linear Polarization
Linear Polarization occurs when the electric field varies in only a single direction.

Notes: A linearly polarized wave may be further categorized according to the

orientation of the traced line. For example, this wave is linearly polarized
along the z-axis.

𝐸 = 𝐸𝑜 cos(ω𝑡 − 2𝑥)ෞ
𝑎𝑧
Circular Polarization
Circular Polarization occurs when the tip of the electric field vector traverses a
circle on a plane normal to the direction of propagation.
For example, if a plane wave has an electric field given by:
𝜋
𝐸 = 𝐸𝑜 cos(ω𝑡 − 2𝑥)ෞ
𝑎𝑦 + 𝐸𝑜 cos(ω𝑡 − 2𝑥 + )ෞ
𝑎𝑧
2

The tip of the electric field

vector, viewed on any plane
perpendicular to the direction
of propagation, will traverse a
circular path as the wave
propagates.
Circular Polarization
Circular Polarization occurs when the tip of the electric field vector traverses a
circle on a plane normal to the direction of propagation.
𝜋
𝐸 = 𝐸𝑜 cos(ω𝑡 − 2𝑥)ෞ
𝑎𝑦 + 𝐸𝑜 cos(ω𝑡 − 2𝑥 + )ෞ
𝑎
2 𝑧
Notes: In order for a plane wave to exhibit circular polarization,

1) It must consist of two orthogonal components

𝜋
Ex) 𝐸 = 𝐸𝑜 cos(ω𝑡 − 2𝑥)ෞ
𝑎𝑦 + 𝐸𝑜 cos(ω𝑡 − 2𝑥 + )ෞ
2
𝑎𝑧

2) The two orthogonal components must be ±90o out of phase

𝜋
Ex) 𝐸 = 𝐸𝑜 cos(ω𝑡 − 2𝑥)ෞ
𝑎𝑦 + 𝐸𝑜 cos(ω𝑡 − 2𝑥 + )ෞ
2
𝑎𝑧

3) The two orthogonal components must be equal in magnitude

𝜋
Ex) 𝐸 = 𝐸𝑜 cos(ω𝑡 − 2𝑥)ෞ
𝑎𝑦 + 𝐸𝑜 cos(ω𝑡 − 2𝑥 + )ෞ
2
𝑎𝑧
Circular Polarization
Circular Polarization occurs when the tip of the electric field vector traverses a
circle on a plane normal to the direction of propagation.

Notes: A circularly polarized wave may be further categorized according to the

handedness of its rotation. To determine handedness, point your right-hand
thumb in the direction of propagation; if your fingers curl in the direction of
field rotation, the wave is right-handed. If your fingers curl against the
direction of field rotation, the wave is left-handed. For example…

This wave, propagating in +x, is This wave, propagating in +x, is

right-handed. left-handed.
Elliptical Polarization
Elliptical Polarization occurs when the tip of the electric field vector traverses an
ellipse on a plane normal to the direction of propagation.
For example, if a plane wave has an electric field given by:
𝐸 𝜋
𝐸 = 𝐸𝑜 cos(ω𝑡 − 2𝑥)ෞ 𝑎𝑦 + 𝑜 cos(ω𝑡 − 2𝑥 + )ෞ 𝑎
2 2 𝑧

The tip of the electric field

vector, viewed on any plane
perpendicular to the direction
of propagation, will traverse an
elliptical path as the wave
propagates.
Elliptical Polarization
Elliptical Polarization occurs when the tip of the electric field vector traverses an
ellipse on a plane normal to the direction of propagation.
𝐸𝑜 𝜋
𝐸 = 𝐸𝑜 cos(ω𝑡 − 2𝑥)ෞ
𝑎𝑦 + cos(ω𝑡 − 2𝑥 + )ෞ
𝑎
2 2 𝑧
Notes: In order for a plane wave to exhibit elliptical polarization,

1) It must consist of two orthogonal components

𝐸𝑜 𝜋
Ex) 𝐸 = 𝐸𝑜 cos(ω𝑡 − 2𝑥)ෞ
𝑎𝑦 +
2
cos(ω𝑡 − 2𝑥 + )ෞ
2
𝑎𝑧

2) The two orthogonal components must be out of phase

𝐸𝑜 𝜋
Ex) 𝐸 = 𝐸𝑜 cos(ω𝑡 − 2𝑥)ෞ
𝑎𝑦 +
2
cos(ω𝑡 − 2𝑥 + )ෞ
2
𝑎𝑧

3) The wave must not fit the criteria for linear or circular polarization
𝐸𝑜 𝜋
Ex) 𝐸 = 𝐸𝑜 cos(ω𝑡 − 2𝑥)ෞ
𝑎𝑦 +
2
cos(ω𝑡 − 2𝑥 + )ෞ
2
𝑎𝑧
Elliptical Polarization
Elliptical Polarization occurs when the tip of the electric field vector traverses an
ellipse on a plane normal to the direction of propagation.

Notes: Like circularly polarized waves, elliptically polarized waves may be

categorized according to the handedness of their rotation.

This wave, propagating in +x, is This wave, propagating in +x, is

right-handed. left-handed.
Plane Waves at a Boundary
When a plane wave is incident upon a planar boundary between two media, the resulting
reflections and transmissions are governed by field boundary conditions.

Recall, at a boundary between two dielectrics:

𝐸1𝑡 = 𝐸2𝑡
𝐷1𝑛 − 𝐷2𝑛 = ρ𝑠
𝐵1𝑛 = 𝐵2𝑛
𝐻ഥ1𝑡 − 𝐻
ഥ2𝑡 = 𝐽𝑠ҧ

These rules will govern the behavior of EM waves at a planar boundary.

We will consider this scenario in three cases – all cases of electromagnetic plane waves
impinging on a boundary between two dielectrics may be considered as a linear sum of
these three.
Plane Waves at a Boundary
Case 1: Normal Incidence
Suppose a plane wave 𝐸𝑖 = 𝐸𝑜𝑖 𝑒 −γ1𝑦 𝑎ො𝑧 is incident upon a planar boundary, at an
angle normal to the surface of the boundary:

In this case, the incident electric and magnetic fields 𝐸ത𝑖 and 𝐻
ഥ𝑖 are both perfectly tangential to the boundary.
Therefore, the transmitted and reflected electric and magnetic fields will also be entirely tangential.
Plane Waves at a Boundary
Case 1: Normal Incidence
From the boundary condition
𝐸1𝑡 = 𝐸2𝑡

we can write:

𝐸ത𝑖 + 𝐸ത𝑟 = 𝐸ത𝑡

or:

𝐸𝑜𝑖 𝑒 −jγ1𝑦 𝑎ො𝑧 + 𝐸𝑜𝑟 𝑒 +jγ1𝑦 𝑎ො𝑧 = 𝐸𝑜𝑡 𝑒 −jγ2𝑦 𝑎ො𝑧

Also, from the boundary condition

ഥ1𝑡 − 𝐻
𝐻 ഥ2𝑡 = 0
𝐸𝑜𝑖 −jγ 𝑦 𝐸𝑜𝑟 +jγ 𝑦 𝐸𝑜𝑡 −jγ 𝑦
we can write ഥ𝑖 + 𝐻
𝐻 ഥ𝑟 = 𝐻
ഥ𝑡 or: 𝑒 1 𝑎ො𝑧 − 𝑒 1 𝑎ො𝑧 = 𝑒 2 𝑎ො𝑧
𝜂1 𝜂1 𝜂2
Plane Waves at a Boundary
Case 1: Normal Incidence

The two boxed equations on the previous slide may be rearranged to

obtain the normal-incidence reflection and transmission coefficients:

𝐸𝑜𝑟 η2 − η1 𝐸𝑜𝑡 2η2

Γ𝑛 = = 𝜏𝑛 = = 1 + Γ𝑛 =
𝐸𝑜𝑖 η2 + η1 𝐸𝑜𝑖 η2 + η1
Plane Waves at a Boundary
Snell’s Law
The next two cases will involve oblique incidence, so we will need to recall and use Snell’s Law. Snell’s Law gives the
angles of reflected and transmitted rays at a dielectric boundary, given the angle of the incident rays and the
material properties of the two dielectrics, as follows:
sin(𝜃𝑡 ) 𝑛1
𝜃𝑟 = 𝜃𝑖 =
sin(𝜃𝑖 ) 𝑛2

where n1 and n2 are the indices of refraction

for the two dielectrics, which may be
calculated from the relative permeability and
permittivity values as:

𝑛1 = 𝜇𝑟1 𝜀𝑟1 𝑛2 = 𝜇𝑟2 𝜀𝑟2

Pay attention! These are the relative

permeability and permittivity values!
Plane Waves at a Boundary
Total Internal Reflection and Critical Angle
Note: as 𝜃𝑖 increases, so does 𝜃𝑡 . If 𝜃𝑡 is sufficiently large (𝜃𝑡 >90o), all the energy will end up being reflected back into
region 1. This is called total internal reflection. It will only happen if 𝑛1 > 𝑛2 and 𝜃𝑖 > 𝜃𝑐 . Here, 𝜃𝑐 is called the “critical
angle,” and is calculated by:
𝑛2
𝜃𝑐 = sin−1
𝑛1

General Case Total Internal Reflection

Plane Waves at a Boundary
Case 2: Oblique incidence, electric field tangential to boundary
Suppose a plane wave 𝐸𝑖 = 𝐸𝑜𝑖 𝑒 −jγ1[ycos 𝜃𝑖 −zsin 𝜃𝑖 ] 𝑎ො𝑥 is incident upon a planar
boundary in the x-z plane, at an incident angle 𝜃𝑖 to the surface of the boundary:

In this case, the incident electric field 𝐸ത𝑖 is perfectly tangential to the boundary, but the
incident magnetic field 𝐻ഥ𝑖 has both a tangential component and a normal component.
Plane Waves at a Boundary
Case 2: Oblique incidence, electric field tangential to boundary

In this case, we can write: 𝐸ത𝑖 + 𝐸ത𝑟 = 𝐸ത𝑡

or:
𝐸𝑜𝑖 𝑒 −γ1[ycos 𝜃𝑖 −zsin 𝜃𝑖 ]
𝑎ො 𝑥

+𝐸𝑜𝑟 𝑒 −γ1[−ycos 𝜃𝑟 −zsin 𝜃𝑟 ]

𝑎ො𝑥
= 𝐸𝑜𝑡 𝑒 −γ2[ycos 𝜃𝑡 −zsin 𝜃𝑡 ]
𝑎ො𝑥

ഥ𝑖 + 𝐻
And we can also write: 𝐻 ഥ𝑟 = 𝐻
ഥ𝑡
or:
𝐸𝑜𝑖 −γ [ycos 𝜃 −zsin 𝜃 ]
𝑒 1 𝑖 𝑖 − sin 𝜃𝑖 𝑎ො𝑦 − cos 𝜃𝑖 𝑎ො𝑧 ∙ 𝑎ො𝑧
𝜂1

𝐸𝑜𝑟 −γ [−ycos 𝜃𝑟 −zsin 𝜃𝑟 ]

+ 𝑒 1 [− sin 𝜃𝑟 𝑎ො𝑦 + cos 𝜃𝑟 𝑎ො𝑧 ] ∙ 𝑎ො𝑧
𝜂1

𝐸𝑜𝑡 −γ [ycos 𝜃𝑡 −zsin 𝜃𝑡 ]

= 𝑒 2 [− sin 𝜃𝑡 𝑎ො𝑦 − cos 𝜃𝑡 𝑎ො𝑧 ] ∙ 𝑎ො𝑧
𝜂2
Plane Waves at a Boundary
Case 2: Oblique incidence, electric field tangential to boundary

The two boxed equations on the previous slide may be rearranged, with application of
Snell’s Law, to obtain the oblique-incidence reflection and transmission coefficients, for
the case where the electric field is perfectly tangential to the boundary:

𝐸𝑜𝑟 η2 cos(𝜃𝑖 ) − η1 cos(𝜃𝑡 ) 𝐸𝑜𝑡 2η2 cos(𝜃𝑖 )

Γ𝐸 = = 𝜏𝐸 = = 1 + Γ𝑛 =
𝐸𝑜𝑖 η2 cos(𝜃𝑖 ) + η1 cos(𝜃𝑡 ) 𝐸𝑜𝑖 η2 cos(𝜃𝑖 ) + η1 cos(𝜃𝑡 )
Plane Waves at a Boundary
Case 3: Oblique incidence, magnetic field tangential to boundary
Suppose a plane wave 𝐸𝑖 = 𝐸𝑜𝑖 𝑒 −jγ1[ycos 𝜃𝑖 −zsin 𝜃𝑖 ] sin 𝜃𝑖 𝑎ො𝑦 + cos 𝜃𝑖 𝑎ො𝑧 is incident upon
a planar boundary in the x-z plane, at an incident angle 𝜃𝑖 to the surface of the boundary:

In this case, the incident magnetic field 𝐻ഥ𝑖 is perfectly tangential to the boundary, but the
incident electric field 𝐸ത𝑖 has both a tangential component and a normal component.
Plane Waves at a Boundary
Case 3: Oblique incidence, magnetic field tangential to boundary
In this case, we can write: 𝐸ത𝑖 + 𝐸ത𝑟 = 𝐸ത𝑡
or:
𝐸𝑜𝑖 𝑒 −γ1[ycos 𝜃𝑖 −zsin 𝜃𝑖 ]
sin 𝜃𝑖 𝑎ො𝑦 + cos 𝜃𝑖 𝑎ො𝑧 ∙ 𝑎ො𝑧

+ 𝐸𝑜𝑟 𝑒 −γ1[−ycos 𝜃𝑟 −zsin 𝜃𝑟 ] −sin 𝜃𝑟 𝑎ො𝑦 + cos 𝜃𝑟 𝑎ො𝑧 ∙ 𝑎ො𝑧

= 𝐸𝑜𝑡 𝑒 −γ2[ycos 𝜃𝑡 −zsin 𝜃𝑡 ]

sin 𝜃𝑡 𝑎ො𝑦 + cos 𝜃𝑡 𝑎ො𝑧 ∙ 𝑎ො𝑧

ഥ𝑖 + 𝐻
And we can also write: 𝐻 ഥ𝑟 = 𝐻
ഥ𝑡
or: 𝐸𝑜𝑖
𝑒 −γ1 [ycos 𝜃𝑖 −zsin 𝜃𝑖 ]
𝑎ො𝑥
𝜂1

𝐸𝑜𝑟 −γ [−ycos 𝜃𝑟 −zsin 𝜃𝑟 ]

− 𝑒 1 𝑎ො𝑥
𝜂1

𝐸𝑜𝑡 −γ [ycos 𝜃𝑡 −zsin 𝜃𝑡 ]

= 𝑒 2 𝑎ො𝑥
𝜂2
Plane Waves at a Boundary
Case 3: Oblique incidence, magnetic field tangential to boundary

The two boxed equations on the previous slide may be rearranged, with application of Snell’s
Law, to obtain the oblique-incidence reflection and transmission coefficients, for the case where
the magnetic field is perfectly tangential to the boundary:

𝐸𝑜𝑟 η1 cos(𝜃𝑖 ) − η2 cos(𝜃𝑡 ) 𝐸𝑜𝑡 2η2 cos(𝜃𝑖 )

Γ𝐻 = = 𝜏𝐻 = =
𝐸𝑜𝑖 η1 cos(𝜃𝑖 ) + η2 cos(𝜃𝑡 ) 𝐸𝑜𝑖 η2 cos(𝜃𝑡 ) + η1 cos(𝜃𝑖 )
The Poynting Theorem
Electromagnetic waves carry energy. The Poynting Theorem gives us insight into energy storage and
transfer in the context of electromagnetics
Derivation of the Poynting Theorem: 𝑑ℬ
∇×ℇ=− (Faraday’s Law)
𝑑𝑡
𝑑Ɗ
∇×ℋ = +Ʝ (Ampere’s Law)
𝑑𝑡

𝑑ℬ 𝑑Ɗ
so that: 𝐻∙ ∇×ℇ −ℇ∙ ∇×ℋ =ℋ∙ − −ℇ∙ +Ʝ
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

which can be rearranged, using vector identities, as: ∇ ∙ ℇ × ℋ = −ℋ ∙ 𝑑ℬ − ℇ ∙ 𝑑Ɗ − ℇ ∙ Ʝ

𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

𝑁𝑜𝑡𝑒: 𝑤𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑐𝑟𝑖𝑝𝑡 𝑠𝑦𝑚𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑠 ℇ, ℋ, ℬ, Ɗ and Ʝ to specify the time-domain expressions of 𝐸, 𝐻,
𝐵, 𝐷, and 𝐽, respectively.
The Poynting Theorem
Electromagnetic waves carry energy. The Poynting Theorem gives us insight into energy storage and
transfer in the context of electromagnetics
Derivation of the Poynting Theorem:

𝑑ℬ 𝑑Ɗ
∇ ∙ ℇ × ℋ = −ℋ ∙ −ℇ∙ −ℇ∙Ʝ
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

If we consider a region of volume V, contained by surface S, this can be

rewritten, using the divergence theorem, as:

𝑑 𝜇 2 𝜀 2
ර ℇ × ℋ ∙ 𝑑𝑆 = − න ℋ + ℇ −න ℇ∙Ʝ
𝑆 𝑉 𝑑𝑡 2 2 𝑉

This is the Poynting Theorem

The Poynting Theorem
But, what does it mean? Let’s look at a few of these pieces individually…
𝜇 2
ℋ This is the energy stored in the magnetic fields in the volume V
2

𝜀 2
ℇ This is the energy stored in the electric fields in the volume V
2

ර ℇ × ℋ ∙ 𝑑𝑆 This is the power per area leaving the volume through surface S
𝑆

න ℇ∙Ʝ This is the power consumed by ohmic losses inside the volume V
𝑉

So, the Poynting Theorem says that net power flow into a volume must either be stored in the internal fields
or consumed by ohmic losses. Alternatively, the Poynting Theorem says that net power flow out of a volume
must be being released from internal fields

The Poynting Theorem is a statement of Conservation of Energy

The Poynting Vector
We will define the Poynting Vector as:

𝑆 =ℇ×ℋ

The vector 𝑆 points in the direction of power flow, and has units of W/m2, indicating the
power flow density of the electromagnetic wave.

This is an expression of instantaneous power flow (both ℇ and ℋ depend on time)

Notice the implied right-handed triad:

ℇ
𝑆

ℋ
The Poynting Vector
It is sometimes more useful to consider the time-average power flow density. The time-average Poynting
vector is given by:
1 ∗
𝑆𝑎𝑣 = ℛ𝑒 𝐸×𝐻
2
where 𝐸 and 𝐻 are now in phasor form, and 𝐻 * indicates the complex conjugate of 𝐻.

The vector 𝑆𝑎𝑣 still points in the direction of power flow, and has units of W/m2, indicating the power flow
density of the electromagnetic wave.

This is an expression of the time-averaged power flow density.

This is still a right-handed triad:
𝐸
𝑆𝑎𝑣