PHY 403 ELECTRODYNAMICS III

MODULE 1: PROPAGATION OF PLANE WAVE IN UNBOUNDED

ISOTROPIC MEDIA.

UNIT 1: PLANE WAVES IN ISOTROPIC MEDIA

1.0 INTRODUCTION:
PROPAGATION OF PLANE WAVE IN UNBOUNDED ISOTROPIC MEDIA
There are several kind of waves in nature. We have sound, light, heat,
electromagnetic waves, mechanical waves e.t.c. These waves are either transverse
or longitudinal. The electromagnetic wave we are discussing is a transverse wave.
The movement of wave from one point to another with respect to time is referred
to as propagation.

Plane waves refer to waves whose wavefront are parallel to each other. A plane
electromagnetic wave that is polarised would have its electric field vector
oscillating in a specific direction and its Magnetic field (B) oscillating
perpendicularly to it. The direction of propagation is then normal to both
directions of E and B. If the E and B vectors oscillate randomly {with both
perpendicular to each other} the electromagnetic wave is said to be unpolarised or
randomly polarised. An electromagnetic wave can be linearly polarised. An
electromagnetic wave can be linearly polarised ( the E vector oscillating in a
straight line) or circularly polarised ( the E vector oscillating or a circular path) or
elliptically polarised { the E vector oscillating in an elliptical path)

An isotropic medium is a medium having a similar property in all direction. An

unbounded isotropic medium is therefore an unconfined medium having simiar
properties in all direction. A simple example is free space.

3
 In this module we will look at maxwell’s equations in free space and in material
medium,wave equations of electric and magnetic field. We will also consider
reflection and refraction of electromagnetic waves.

2.0 OBJECTIVES
By the end of this module the student should be able to:
1. define a plane polarised wave
2. express a plane wave with a mathematical expression
3. understand isotropic media
4. understand polarisation of plane waves
5. explain the origin of electromagnetic wave.

3.0 PROPAGATION OF PLANE WAVE IN UNBOUNDED ISOTROPIC

MEDIA.
A wave may be regarded as a plane wave far away from its source of radiation. This
applies to wavefronts of different shapes. The wavefronts of a plane wave are parallel
to each other. It is necessary to mention that a line normal to the wavefronts or planes
is called a ray. A ray indicates the direction of propagation.

There are many types of waves such as sound wave, hydromagnetic wave,
electromagnetic wave etc. Their properties include (i) transfer of energy from one
place to another. (ii) exhibition of diffraction effect and (iii) obeying the principle of
superposition.

The wave we are considering here is electromagnetic wave which is generated by

accelerated charged particles. In the neighbourhood of an electric charge is electric
field, E. As the charge moves (oscillates), both electric field and magnetic field exist
in the neighbourhood. An electromagnetic wave is then propagated. Recall that
electromagnetic wave exists as a result of variation in electric field with time,
producing magnetic field (i.e. at high frequency) and the varying magnetic field
producing electric field (faraday’s law) which process is repeated continuously.

The electric field, E, is represented by

4
 z
E u x Eo exp jw t ------------------------------- (1)
v
Equation (1) implies that E oscillates along the x-axis while the wave propagates
along the z-axis. The velocity of the wave, v = w/k, where w is the angular frequency
and k is the wave number. In free space, v = 2.998 × 108ms-1 (to 3 d.p). Eo is the
amplitude or peak value of the varying electric field. The magnetic field, B, which
oscillates along the y-axis is represented by
z
B u y Bo exp jw t ------------------------------- (2)
v
where Bo is the amplitude or peak value of the magnetic field. A polarized plane wave
has its field of oscillation changing with time in a specified direction while for
unpolarized plane wave the direction of oscillation of its field change randomly with
time. The specified direction of oscillation of the field could be rectilinear, circular or
elliptical in which case rectilinear, circular and elliptical polarization result. In
equation (1) is represented a linearly polarized plane wave. Circular polarization of
the plane wave will be represented by
z z
E u x E o exp jw t u y E o exp jw t
v v 2
This is because for circular polarization the two components of equal amplitude must
be perpendicular and have a phase
the components are unequal, elliptical polarization results.
Note that the directions of oscillations of electric field and magnetic field and the
direction of propagation of electromagnetic wave are mutually perpendicular to each
other i.e. the three directions are orthogonal. See Figure 1.

5
 Fig 1

The relationship between the electric field, E, and the magnetic field, B, is obtained
from Faraday’s law as follows.

Using differential form of Faraday’s law i.e.

dB
E ----------------------------------- (3)
dt
or
dE x dE x dB
uy uz
dz dy dt
d
Since the simple case of Ex constant in x-y plane is considered, 0.
dy
dEx
The 2nd term on the LHS = 0 since u y 0 , therefore,
dy

w z dB
uy j Eo jw t
v v dt
Integrating with respect to t gives,
1 z
B uy E o exp jw t ------------------------- (4)
v v
Comparing equations (2) & (4) shows that the amplitude, B0, of the magnetic field
equals E0/ v. The wave equations of the of electric and magnetic fields of which
equations (1) and (2) are solutions are obtained as follows:

Maxwell‘s equations in free space in differential form are

.E ------------------------ (i)
o

where o

.B 0 ------------------------- (ii)
dB
E ---------------------- (iii)
dt

6
 dE
B o o o j ---------------- (iv)
dt
where j o

equation (iv) is the Ampere‘s law modified by the addition of displacement current,
dE
o when the electric field varies rapidly.
dt

Outside a region of changing charge and current distribution, the Maxwell‘s equations
given above i.e. equations (i) to (iv) becomes
.E 0 --------------------------------- (5)
.B 0 ------------------------------- (6)
dB
E ------------------------- (7)
dt
dE
B o o ------------------------ (8)
dt
d
By taking the curl of (7) i.e. E ( B ) , we have
dt
2
E ( .E ) E
Substituting for E we have
2 d
( .E ) E ( B)
dt
dE
Substituting for .E 0 from equation 5 and for B o o gives,
dt

2 d dE 2 d 2E
E ( o o ) or E o o -------------- (9)
dt dt dt 2
or

2 1 d 2E
E ------------------------------------------------- (10)
c 2 dt 2
1
where c ------------------------------------------------------- (11)
o o

d
by taking the curl of (8) i.e. B o o ( E ) , we have
dt
2 d
( .B ) B ( E)
dt
Using equations (6) & (7) we have

7
 2 d 2B 2 d 2B
B o o or B o o ---------------------- (12)
dt 2 dt 2
or

2 1 d 2B
B --------------------------------------------------- (13)
c 2 dt 2

Equations (10) & (13) are the wave equations of electric and magnetic fields
respectively.

4.0 CONCLUSION:
Plane waves propagating in an unbounded isotropic medium may be polarised or
unpolarised. An unpolarised wave is also referred to as randomly polarised wave. A
polarised plane wave has its field of oscillation changing with time in a specified
direction. E.g linear, circular or elliptical directions. For an unpolarised wave the
diection of oscillation of its field change randomly with time.

5.0 SUMMARY
1. A plane wave has wavefronts parallel to each other and for away from any source
of radiation, a wave can be said to be plane polarised.
2. A plane wave can be represented mathematically.
3. An isotropic medium is an unconfined medium having similar properties in all
directions. An example of an isotropic medium is free space.
4. A wave is polarised if its field of oscillation change with time in a specified
direction.
5. Electromagnetic wave is generated by accelerated charged particles.

6.0 TUTOR MARKED ASSIGNMENT

1. What is the relationship between a wave and a ray.
2. Give examples of anisotropic medium (i.e. a medium that is not isotropic)
3. Distinguish between circularly and elliptically polarised waves by stating the
conditions to be met to produce each.
4. Give the electromagnetic wave spectrum.

8
7.0 REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING
1. Kennedy, Davis Electronic Communication System , Fourth ed. McGraw-
Hill International Edition 1993.
2. Dunlop, J. and Smith, D.G. Telecommunications Engineering second
edition, Chapman and Hall London 1989.
3. Grant, I.S. and Philips, W.A. Electromagnetism ELBS Manchester 1974
4. Richard, P.F. , Robert, B.L. and Matthew Sands. The Feynman Lectures
on Physics. Addison-Wesley London 1982.

UNIT 2: PROPAGATION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE IN AN

ISOTROPIC MEDIUM
1.0: INTRODUCTION
The student should be familiar with wave equation ie the second order differential
equation that relates the displacement of vibration of particles of medium to the
spatial and temporal variationm of wave. For electromagnetic waves, rather than the
particles of medium,it is the electric field and magnetic fields that vibrate. As such we
talk of wave equation for magnetic waves. These wave equations are derived in this
unit

2.0: OBJECTIVE
By the end of this unit, the student should be able to:
1. derive wave equations for electric and magnetic field in an isotropic insulating
medium.
2. derive wave equations for electric and magnetic field in a conducting medium.

3.0 PROPAGATION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE IN AN

ISOTROPIC MEDIUM
CASE 1
Propagation of electromagnetic wave in an isotropic insulating medium

9
Suppose the electromagnetic wave travels in an isotropic insulating medium and that
the relative permittivity and relative permeability r r

respectively.

2 d 2E
Equation (9) becomes E ------------------------------------- (14)
dt 2

2 1 d 2E
or E ---------------------------------------------- (15)
v 2 dt 2
w medium is th o r o r

o r i.e. o r.

1 1
Note that v --------------------------------------- (16)
o r o r

i.e the velocity of the wave in the medium. Equation (12) becomes

2 d 2B
B ------------------------------------------ (17)
dt 2
or

2 1 d 2B
B ----------------------------------------- (18)
v 2 dt 2
Comparing equations (11) and (16) shows that
c
r r
v
But the refractive index, n = c/v therefore, n r r -------------------- (19)
n is the refractive index of the medium.

Both relative permittivity and relative permeability are known to vary with frequency
for a dispersive medium implying that the refractive index of a dispersive medium
varies with the frequency.

Case II : Propagation of electromagnetic wave in a conducting medium

For the propagation of electromagnetic wave in a conducting medium, the modified
Ampere’s law can be written as
dD
H jf ----------------------------------- (20)
dt

10
Where H – the magnetic intensity – o r r being the relative permeability of
the medium) and D – the electric displacement – o r r being the relative
permittivity of the medium).
NOTE: that (i) H = B/ o r in the absence of magnetisat o rE in
B
the absence of polarisation charges otherwise H M , where M =
o r

o rE – P (P = polarisation, a vector
quantity). Equation (20) can be written as
B dE
jf o r --------------------------------- (21)
o r dt
From ohm’s law i.e. I = V/R -------------------------------------------------- (22),
l
the electric field E = V/l he resistance R -------- (23)
a
a and l gth,
Ela I
I or E ----------------------------------- (24)
l a
by substituting for V from equation (22) and for R from equation (23)
,
can be written as
B dE
E o r ------------------------------ (25)
o r dt
Taking the curl of equation (3),
d
E ( B ) ---------------------------------- (26)
dt
Substituting equation (25) into equation (24), we have
dE d 2E
E o r o r ------------------ (27)
dt dt 2
The LHS of equation (26) can be written as
2
E ( .E ) E
Substituting this into equation (26) and noting that .E 0 (since the microscopic
charge density is zero for a wave propagating through a conductor) gives

2 dE d 2E
E o r o r o r -------------------- (28)
dt dt 2

11
 2 d 2E
Note that E
dz 2
This is because the electric field, E is constant in x-y plane at a fixed z-coordinate, its
amplitude however decreases exponentially with increase in z.
Thus equation (27) becomes,

2 dE d 2E
E o r o r o r ------------------ (29)
dt dt 2
A simple approximation can be made by comparing the coefficients of the two terms
in the RHS. To do this effectively d2E/dt2 can be put in terms of dE/dt i.e.
d 2E dE z
jw (since E Eo exp jw t ) so that equation (28) becomes
dt 2 dt v

d 2E dE dE
o r jw o r o r ----------------- (30)
dt 2 dt dt
dE
o r jw o r ----------------------------- (31)
dt
The electrical conductivity o r. Therefore equation (30) can be written as
d 2E dE
o r ----------------------------------------- (32)
dz 2 dt

The solution of this differential equation (i.e. equation 31) is of the form
E Eo exp j wt z exp z -------------------- (33)
Substituting (32) into (31) yields

o r

2
The reciprocal of ow
o r

2
rapidly the wave is attenuated. Using r 1, .
o

When
60MHz
Solution:

2
(i) 7
0.85cm
4 10 5.9 10 7 120

12
 2
(ii) 7
8.5 10 4 cm
4 10 5.9 10 7 120 10 6

Example (ii) shows that at high frequency, the current is carried in a very thin outer
layer of the conductor. This phenomenon of current being carried in a thin outer layer
is called SKIN EFFECT.

4.0 CONCLUSION:
The wave equations for electric field is different for an insulating medium and a
conducting medium as expected. This is because for an insulating medium conduction
current J = E is zero. Thus the expressions for the electric fields on both media
differs.

5.0 SUMMARY
1. The wave quations for electric field and magnetic field have been derived for an
insulating medium.
2. The same equationms have also been derived for a conducting medium
3. The difference in these equatons for both media is on the fact that conduction
cureent is not in an insulating medium.

6.0 TUTOR MARKED ASSIGNMENT

1. Derive the wave equations for electric and magnetic fields in an insulating
medium
2. Derive these equations for a conducting medium
3. Define (i) skin depth (ii) skin effect
4. Calculate the skin depth in copper for a wave of frequency (i) 50Hz (ii) 1MHz
given that µo µr =1, = 5.9 x10 7

7.0 REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING

1. Kennedy, Davis Electronic Communication System , Fourth ed. McGraw-
Hill International Edition 1993.
2. Dunlop, J. and Smith, D.G. Telecommunications Engineering second
edition, Chapman and Hall London 1989.
3. Grant, I.S. and Philips, W.A. Electromagnetism ELBS Manchester 1974

13
 4. Richard, P.F. , Robert, B.L. and Matthew Sands. The Feynman Lectures
on Physics. Addison-Wesley London 1982.
MODULE 2: REFLECTION AND REFRACTION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC
WAVES
UNIT 1: BOUNDARY CONDITIONS ON ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC
FIELDS

1.0 INTRODUCTION:
When a wave passes from one medium to another medium of different refractive
index, its speed decreases if the second medium has a greater refractive index relative
to the first medium and the wave bends towards the normal.
If refractive index of the second medium is less than that of the first speed of the
wave increases and it is bent away from the normal. We also know that apart from the
refracted waves some of the incident wave is reflected. The electric fields E of the
incident, reflected and refracted waves bear a relationship at te interface i.e boundary
between the two media. This is also the case for magnetic field,B, the electric
displacement,D and the magnetic intensity,H. These relationship are called boundary
conditions. For te various parameters.

2.0 OBJECTIVES:
By the end of this unit, the student should be able to
1. State the boundary condition on each of the parameter, E , H , B and D.
2. Know ow to derive these boundary conditions.

3.0 REFLECTION AND REFRACTION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES

When a plane wave is incident at the boundary between two different media, part of
the wave is reflected and the other part is refracted or transmitted. We need to
determine the ratio of the intensity of the reflected part to the intensity of the incident
wave as well as the ratio of the intensity of the refracted (transmitted) part to the
intensity of the incident wave. Note also that intensity is proportional to the rate of
energy per unit area i.e. the Poynting vector. These ratios are called coefficients of
reflection and transmission respectively. These coefficients can be determined in
terms of the refractive indices of the media. First we must make sure that the fields
satisfy Maxwell‘s equations at the boundary between the media.

14
From equation (7) in section 1.0 i.e.
dB
E ,
dt
In integral form this equation becomes
d
E.dl B.ds -------------------------------------- (1)
r dt s
Let r be the rectangular loop placed along the surface common to the two media as
shown in Figure 1.

E1 E2

Medium I Medium II

In the limit
FIG:that
1 , B.ds 0 , ds being the surface area

and the product of l and b . Thus the LHS of equation (1) equals zero and

E.dl E1l E2l 0 or E1 = E2.

This implies that the electric field is continuous. This is the boundary condition for the
electric field. The boundary condition for magnetic intensity can be determined from
the modified Ampere‘s law (i.e.Maxwell‘s 4th equation) by considering Figure 2
below.

H1 H2

FIG: 2

Equation (20) in section 1.0 can be rendered in integral form as

15
 d
H .dl j f .ds D.ds ----------------------------------- (2)
s dt s
For the other medium (i.e. the second medium) of finite conductivity, the first term in
the RHS of equation (2) becomes zero. The second term is zero in the limit that
0 i.e. at the interface since ds is the product of dl and db. Thus the equation is

H .dl 0 or H 1l H 2l 0 or H 1 H 2 across the interface. H is continuous across

the interface. From equation (1) of Gauss law for electric field in section 1.0 i.e.

.E or .D f
o

oE -P
We can write .D 0 since there is no free charge inside the cylinder placed
perpendicularly to the interface. See Figure 3 below.
1
Medium 1

dh
Medium 2
We can write .D 0 in integral form as D.ds D.ds 0 since the total flux of
Fig 3: 2 1 2

electric displacement has contribution from top and bottom surfaces of the cylinder as
dh to the surfaces 1 and 2 of the
cylinder. Thus we can write
D ds1 D ds 2
implying that D is continuous.
The last boundary condition is determined from Gauss law for magnetic field i.e.
.B 0 which in integral form becomes B.ds 0 . Using the same cylinder in

Figure 3, the contributions of the flux of magnetic field is from the top and bottom
surfaces of the cylinder so that we can write
B.ds B.ds 0
1 2

B ds1 B ds2 0 where B is continuous.

From the four boundary conditions i.e.
E1along = E2along
H1along = H2along
D1across = D2across, and
B1across = B2across.

16
4.0 CONCLUSION
The boundary conditions on the electric field, E and magnetic intensity,H are
somewhat similar. Also those on magnetic field, B and electric displacement, D ae
similar. This is because for E and H we use line integrals while for D and B we
use surface integral.

5.0 SUMMARY
The boundary conditions of electromagnetic wave are
1. Etangential is continous i.e Etangential (medium 1) = (Etangential (medium 2)
2. Htangential is continous i.e Htangential (medium 1) = Htangential (medium 2)
3. Dperpendicular is continous i.e Dperpendicular (medium 1) = Dperpendicular (medium 2)
4. Bperpendicular is continous i.e Bperpendicular (medium 1) = Dperpendicular (medium 2)

6.0 TUTOR MARKED ASSIGNMENT

1. The boundary conditions on E and H are similar with a slight difference.
Explain.
2. Why are D and B’s boundary conditions similar but different from those
of E and H.
3. The refractive index of water for waves of frequency MHz is about 9.
Calculate the reflection and transmission coefficient.

7.0 REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING

1. Kennedy, Davis Electronic Communication System , Fourth ed. McGraw-
Hill International Edition 1993.
2. Dunlop, J. and Smith, D.G. Telecommunications Engineering second
edition, Chapman and Hall London 1989.
3. Grant, I.S. and Philips, W.A. Electromagnetism ELBS Manchester 1974
4. Richard, P.F. , Robert, B.L. and Matthew Sands. The Feynman Lectures
on Physics. Addison-Wesley London 1982.

17
UNIT 2: REFLECTION AND REFRACTION (TRANSMISSION)
COEFFICIENTS OF ELEECTROMAGNETIC WAVES

1.0 INTRODUCTION
In this unit the coefficients of reflection (ratio of reflected to incident wave) and
transmission (ratio of transmitted to incident wave) are determined. Calculations of
percentages reflected and transmitted wave in glass and water, for example , are
made.

2.0 OBJECTIVES:
By the end of this unit, the student should be able to
1. define (a) reflection coefficient, R
(b) transmission coefficient, T
2. obtain the expressions of R and T in terms of poynting vector
3. calculate the percentages of R and T for any medium relative to free space
given its refractive index.

3.0 REFLECTION AND REFRACTION (TRANSMISSION) COEFFICIENTS

OF ELEECTROMAGNETIC WAVES
Noting that in medium 1 we have only the incident and reflected waves i.e. two waves
while in medium 2 we have only refracted or transmitted wave i.e. one wave, applying
the 1st boundary condition we can write
Ei+ Er = Et -------------------------------------------- (1)
The second boundary condition gives
Hi – Hr = Ht --------------------------------------------- (2)
where the substricts i, r and t represent incident, refracted and transmitted.
Note that the reflected magnetic intensity, Hr, points in the direction opposite the
direction of Hi . This can be visualised by making the middle finger of the left hand
point in the direction of propagation (z-direction) while forefinger and the thumb
represents E and B respectively (i.e. in x and y directions). By pointing the middle
finger in the negative z-direction, the thumb representing magnetic field is observed to
be pointing downward i.e. opposite its former direction.

18
 x

E E

K B

B K

y
z

using
Bi Ei
Hi -------------------------------------------------- (3)
o c o
since B = E/c from equation (6) in section 1.0 and Hi is in free space. Substituting for
1
c in (3) gives
o o

1
o
2 Ei
Hi 1
2
o

1
o
2 Er
Similarly Hr (also in free space) = 1
2
o

Ht r r.

1
o r
2 Et
Thus H t 1
2
o r

Equation (2) can then be written as

1 1 1
o
2 Ei o
2 Er o r
2 Et
1 1 1
2 2 2
o o o r

or
1
r
2 Et
Ei Er 1
------------------------------------ (4)
2
r

r 1 for most dielectrics so that equation (4) becomes

1
Ei Er r
2 E t ------------------------ (5)

Using the amplitude of the electric field of the incident, reflected and transmitted
1
waves and substituting for n r
2 , equation (5) can be written as

E oi E or nE ot -------------------------------------- (6)

19
Also using the amplitude of the electric fields in equation (1) we have
Eoi Eor E ot ----------------------------------------- (7)

By combining equations (5) and (6) to eliminate Eot gives

Eor 1 n
-------------------------------------------------- (8)
Eot 1 n
Equations (5) and (6) can also be combined to eliminate Eor. The result is
Eot 2
----------------------------------------- (9)
Eoi 1 n

The ratio of the reflected energy of the wave to that of the incident energy is referred
to as the REFLECTION COEFFICIENT, R. Also the ratio of the transmitted energy
of the wave to that of incident energy is referred to as the TRANSMITTED
COEFFICIENT, T. These ratios or coefficients are determined from the time average
of the Poynting vector over one cycle for the incident wave, the reflected wave and
the transmitted wave since Poynting vector is energy per unit time per unit area.
We can use the combination of the energy of static electric and magnetic fields to
approximate the energy of an electromagnetic wave. Using a capacitor, the energy of
static electric field is obtained as follows:
Work done in transferring a charge from one plate of the capacitor to the other plate is
q
dW Vdq dq since V = q/c
c
Integrating we have
q q 1 q2 1
W dq or W CV 2
0 c 2 c 2

o A
For a parallel plate capacitor C ,
d
the energy density of the electric field, UE, i.e. energy per unit volume,
2
A 2 1 V 1
UE o
V o o E 2 ------------ (10)
Ad .d 2 d 2

oE = D)
1
D.E --------------------------------------------- (11)
2
The energy density in a magnetic field is obtained as follows: let a solenoid have a
cross sectional area. The volume Al of the solenoid would store magnetic energy. The

20
energy density is the energy stored divided by Al where A is the cross sectional area
of the solenoid and l its length.
dU dU di
The magnetic energy dU, stored Vidt or Vi or Li
dt dt dt
Ldi
Since V where L is the self inductance
dt
Integrating,
1 2
dU Lidi Li
2
The energy density of the magnetic field will then be,
1 Li 2
UB
2 Al
B
Substituting for L o n 2 lA and i
on

where n umber of turns of solenoid.

1 B
UB ------------------------------------------------- (12)
2 o
B 1
Substituting for H ,U B.H
o 2
and the total magnetic energy is
1
UB B.Hdv --------------------------------------------- (13)
2
Equations (10) and (12) can be combined to give the energy of the electromagnetic
wave assuming that it doesn’t change for varying fields. Thus
1
U em E.D B.H dv
2
For a plane wave travelling along z-axis see Figure --- at speed c in a box of cross
sectional area, A and thickness dx, the sun of equations (1) and (3) give the energy
density of the electromagnetic wave i.e.
1 1 B2
U em UE UB o E2
2 2 o

The energy Uem stored in the box = U E U B Adx i.e.

1 B2
dU em o E2 Adx ---------------------------- (14)
2 o

21
Substituting the relation B = E/c into equation (14), we have

1 B E 1 1 1 o o c2 1
dU em o E cB Adx EB o c Adx EB Adx
2 o c 2 o c 2 oc

------ (15)
so that equation (14) is
EBAdx
dU em
oc

The rate of transfer of this energy per unit area, i.e. the poynting vector, N,
dU em EBdx
N ------------------------------------- (16)
dtA o cdt

dx
But c and equation (16) becomes
dt
EB
N EH ----------------------------------------------- (17)
o

B
since H . Note that the average energy crossing unit area per second =
o

Eo H o Eo H o
i.e. N ---------------------------------------------------- (18)
2 2
since N is in the direction of propagation and the directions of E and H are orthogonal
we can write,
N E H ------------------------------------------------- (19)
By the definitions of the reflection coefficient, R and the transmission coefficient, T
given earlier,
2 2
Er H r ave Eor .c o E or
R 2 2
(from equation (18) and since
Ei H i ave Eoi .c o E oi

Eo
Ho ). Using equation (7)
c o
1
1 n 2
R ------------------------------------------------------- (20)
1 n

22
 E ot
Eot 2 2
1
2
Et H t ave Eot H ot o r V Eot c E ot o r o r
2 Eot .n
T 2 2 1 2
Ei H i ave Eoi H oi Eoi E oi rV Eoi Eoi
E oi r o o
2

oc

-------------------- (21)
Where r n and r 1
Using equations (8) and (21)
4n
T 2
--------------------------------------------------------- (22)
1 n
Example: Given that the refractive index, n, of water for waves of frequency 100MHz

is 9 ( n r varies with frequency). Calculate the reflection and transmission

coefficients of the medium. From equation (20),
2
1 9 64
R 0.64
1 9 100
using equation (22)

4n 4 9
T 2
0.36
1 9 10 2

4.0 CONCLUSION
The higher the value of refractive index the larger the fraction of energy reflected and
the smaller the fraction transmitted. This is because a longer relative permittivity
(which gives large refractive index) the oscillating dipole moment of each molecules
of the medium resulting in a large radiated field. The forward wave in this field
interferes destructively with the original wave within the medium and gives rise to
small transmission.

5.0 SUMMARY
1. Reflection coefficient is the ratio of reflected energy to incident energy while
transmission coefficient is the ratio of transmitted energy to incident energy.
2. The reflection coefficient and transmission coefficient in terms of poyting vector,
respectively are
Er H r ave
R
Ei H i ave

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 Et H t ave
T
Ei H i ave

2
1 n
3. From R
1 n

4n
T 2
1 n

the reflection coefficient and the transmission coefficient of any medium relative to
free space can be determined.
.
6.0 TUTOR MARKED ASSIGNMENT
1. Define reflection coefficient and transmission coefficient
2. Calculate the reflection and transmission coefficient given that the reflection index
of a medium is 7

7.0 REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING

1. Kennedy, Davis Electronic Communication System , Fourth ed. McGraw-
Hill International Edition 1993.
2. Dunlop, J. and Smith, D.G. Telecommunications Engineering second
edition, Chapman and Hall London 1989.
3. Grant, I.S. and Philips, W.A. Electromagnetism ELBS Manchester 1974
4. Richard, P.F. , Robert, B.L. and Matthew Sands. The Feynman Lectures
on Physics. Addison-Wesley London 1982.

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