Electromagnetic Wave Equation

Maxwell’s equations in free space (vacuum): ρ = 0, J = 0

We want to get an equation for an
(i) ∇ ⃗ ⋅ E ⃗ =
ρ
=0 electromagnetic wave. Eq. (iii) and
ϵ0
(ii) ∇ ⃗ ⋅ B ⃗ = 0 (iv) have both time and space
⃗ dependence, but these are coupled
(iii) ∇ ⃗ × E ⃗ = −
∂ B
equations.
∂t
⃗ ⃗
(iv) ∇ ⃗ × B ⃗ = μ0 J ⃗ + μ0ϵ0
∂ E ∂ E
= μ0ϵ0
∂t ∂t

⃗
⇒ ∇ ⃗ ( ∇ ⃗ ⋅ E )⃗ − ∇ 2⃗ E ⃗ = − ( ∇ ⃗ × B )
⃗
∂
∇ ⃗ × ( ∇ ⃗ × E )⃗ = ∇ ⃗ × (−
∂ B
)
Take curl of (iii)
∂t 2 ⃗ ∂t
2⃗
⇒ ∇ E ⃗ − μ0ϵ0 2 = 0
∂ E
(v)
∂t
Using (i) and (iv)
2 ⃗
Similarly, taking curl of (iv), we’ll get ∇ ⃗ B ⃗ − μ0ϵ0
2 ∂ B
= 0 (vi)
∂t 2
2⃗
2
1 ∂f
Eqns. (v) and (vi) are of the form of 3D wave equation ∇ f − 2 2 = 0
v ∂t
8
v = 1/ μ0ϵ0 = 3 × 10 m/s = c (speed of light)
 Solution of wave equation: Plane EM wave in free space
⃗ ⃗
2⃗ 2⃗
∇ E ⃗− 2 2 = 0 ∇ B ⃗− 2 2 = 0
2 2
1 ∂ E 1 ∂ B These equations can be solved using
c ∂t c ∂t the method of separation of variables

For an EM wave moving along one direction (say x), solutions are
⃗ ⃗
E (x, t) = E 0e i(kx−ωt)
E 0⃗ cos(kx − ωt) k = 2π/λ, λ = wavelength
Re. parts
⃗ t) = B ⃗ e i(kx−ωt)
B (x, B 0⃗ cos(kx − ωt) ω = angular frequency
0

⃗
Since ∇ ⃗ ⋅ E ⃗ = 0, ∇ ⃗ ⋅ B ⃗ = 0 and ∇ ⃗ × E ⃗ = −
∂ B
∂t
n̂ × E ⃗ = B ⃗
⃗ ⃗
E and B are perpendicular mutually
n ̂ = direction of propagation
Direction of E ⃗ de nes polarization of light:
• Circular polarization
• Elliptic polarization
• Plane polarization
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 Power transmission via EM wave (in a conductor)
Energy can be transported from one location to another location via EM wave. We can nd out the rate
of this energy transportation (i.e. power).
2
1 B
∫ ( )
2
Electrostatic energy stored in an EM eld: U = + ϵ0 E dτ
2 All space μ0

But this is not the expression for the total energy involved in dynamics of the EM wave
Work done in moving a charge q in a small time dt:
dUtot = F ⃗ ⋅ d l ⃗ = q( E ⃗ + v ⃗ × B )⃗ ⋅ v dt
⃗ = q E ⃗ ⋅ v dt
⃗
We know q = ρdτ and ρ v ⃗ = J : ⃗ dU
= E ⃗ ⋅ J ⃗ dτ
∫ ∫
tot
dt
⃗
We’ll use Maxwell’s equation ∇ ⃗ × B ⃗ = μ0 J ⃗ + μ0ϵ0 to nd out E ⃗ ⋅ J ⃗
∂ E
∂t
⃗ ⋅ ( ∇ ⃗ × B )⃗ ⃗
E ⃗⋅ J ⃗= − ϵ0 E ⃗ ⋅
E ∂ E
μ0 ∂t
∂B ⃗
= [ B ⃗ ⋅ ( ∇ ⃗ × E )⃗ − ∇ ⃗ ⋅ ( E ⃗ × B )⃗ ] − ϵ0
2
= [ − B ⃗⋅ − ∇ ⃗ ⋅ ( E ⃗ × B )⃗ ] − ϵ0
1 1 ∂E 1 1 ∂E 2

μ0 2 ∂t 2 μ0 ∂t 2 ∂t
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 ∂B ⃗
E ⃗⋅ J ⃗= [ − B ⃗ ⋅ − ∇ ⃗ ⋅ ( E ⃗ × B )⃗ ] − ϵ0
2
1 1 ∂E
μ0 ∂t 2 ∂t

− ∇ ⃗ ⋅ ( E ⃗ × B )⃗ ] − ϵ0
2 2
1 1 ∂B 1 ∂E
= [−
μ0 2 ∂t 2 ∂t

⃗ ⋅ ( E ⃗ × B )⃗
2 2
1 ∂E 1 ∂B 1
= − [ϵ0
μ0 ∂t ] μ0 [ ]
+ − ∇
2 ∂t

E ⃗ ⋅ J ⃗ dτ = − ⃗ ⋅ ( E ⃗ × B )⃗ dτ
2 2
1 ∂E 1 ∂B 1
∫ ∫ 2 [ 0 ∂t ] ∫ [ ]
ϵ + dτ − ∇
μ0 ∂t μ0

∇⃗ ⋅ ⃗ dτ = − ⃗ = ( E ⃗ × B )⃗
1
2
1 ∂ B
∫ 2 ∂t ∫ [ μ0 ] ∫
2 2
ϵ0 E + dτ − σE dτ Poynting vector
μ0
⃗ ⃗ ⃗ ⃗ Since J ⃗ = σ E ⃗
⃗ ⋅ ds ⃗ = −
2
∂U E ⋅ J = E ⋅ (σ E ) = σE
∫ ∫
2
− σE dτ (Ohm’s law)
∂t

Power Power Poynting’s theorem

Power loss due to
leaving the released by for the conservation of
dissipation (Joule heating)
energy
𝒫
volume
𝒫
𝒫
the EM eld
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 Poynting vector

⃗ = ( E ⃗ × B )⃗ = E ⃗ × H ⃗
1 Power density (energy per unit area per unit time) transported
μ0 by the EM eld

⃗ is, in general, a function of both spatial and time coordinates, say ⃗ t), it is useful to
⃗ (x)
Since (x,
de ne a time-averaged Poynting vector av

⃗ = ⃗ t) dt ≡ Re . ( E ⃗ × H)⃗
T
1 1
T ∫0
av (x, T = 2π/ω
2

Total time-averaged power crossing a given surface

⃗ ⋅ ds ⃗
∫S
Pav = av

Note the di erence between ,⃗ ⃗ and P

av av
𝒫
𝒫
𝒫
𝒫
𝒫
𝒫
𝒫
𝒫
𝒫
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ff
 ⃗ = ⃗ t) dt ≡ Re . ( E ⃗ × H)⃗
T
1 1
T ∫0
av (x,
2
𝒫
𝒫
 In a nonmagnetic medium with conductivity σ = 4 C/m and relative permittivity ϵr = 4, electric eld of
2

⃗
an EM wave is given by E = 10 sin(2π × 10 t − 0.5x) z ̂ V/m. What is the total power crossing 0.01 m
7 2

of the plane 2x + y = 5?
Another method:

⃗ 7 E ⃗ = E0 sin(ωt − kx) z ̂
Given E = 10 sin(2π × 10 t − 0.5x) z ̂ V/m
∂E ⃗ E0 μ
Find B ⃗ using ∇ ⃗ × B ⃗ = μ0 σ E ⃗ + μ0ϵ0ϵr Z= = = eld impedance
∂t H0 ϵ

Find the Poynting vector ⃗ = ( E ⃗ × B )⃗

1
⃗
H=
E0
sin(ωt − kx) ŷ
μ0 Z
⃗ = ⃗ dt ⃗ = E ⃗× H ⃗ =
T
1 2
E0
Time-averaged Poynting vector T ∫0 sin2(ωt − kx) x ̂
av
Z
⃗ ⋅ ds ⃗ = ⃗ ⋅ S n̂ = ⃗ ⋅ (0.01) 2x ̂ + ŷ
∫S
Total power: Pav = av av av
5
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𝒫
𝒫
𝒫
𝒫
𝒫
𝒫
𝒫
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Homework:

Homework:
 Electromagnetic waves in different media

Medium Property

Linear B ⃗ = μH ⃗ D⃗ = ϵE ⃗ ϵ = ϵ0ϵr μ = μ0 μr linear relations hold

Homogeneous μ and ϵ are independent of position

Isotropic μ and ϵ are independent of direction

∇ ⃗ ⋅ E ⃗ = = 0 (in charge free regions)

ρ
Free space (vacuum): σ = 0, μ = μ0, ϵ = ϵ0 ϵ
Conductor: σ = ∞, μ = μ0 μr, ϵ = ϵ0 ∇⃗ ⋅ B ⃗ = 0
⃗
∇⃗ × E ⃗ = −
∂ B
Dielectric (lossy): σ ≠ 0, μ = μ0 μr, ϵ = ϵ0ϵr
∂t ⃗
∇ ⃗ × B ⃗ = μ J ⃗ + μϵ
Dielectric (loss-less): σ = 0, μ = μ0 μr, ϵ = ϵ0ϵr ∂ E
∂t