6 Slides

6.
Plane waves reflection from media

interface
Dr. Rakhesh Singh Kshetrimayum
Electromagnetic Field Theory by R. S. Kshetrimayum
3/25/2014
6.1 Introduction
Plane waves reflection
from a media interface
Normal
incidence
Perfect
conductor
Lossy conducting
medium
Good
conductor
Oblique
incidence
TE
TM
Brewster angle
Effect on
polarization
Total internal reflection
Lossless medium
Fig. 6.1 Plane waves reflection from media interface
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6.1 Introduction
Till now, we have studied plane waves in various medium
Let us try to explore how plane waves will behave at a media
interface
In practical scenarios of wireless and mobile
communications,
radio wave will reflect from
walls &
other obstacles on its path
When a radio wave reflects from a surface,

the strength of the reflected waves is less than that of the
incident wave
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6.1 Introduction
The ratio of the two (reflected wave/incident wave) is
known as the reflection coefficient of the surface

This ratio depends on the
conductivity (),
permittivity () and
permeability ()
of the material that forms the reflective surface

as well as material properties of the
air
from which the radio wave is incident
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6.1 Introduction
Some part of the wave will be transmitted through the
material
How much of the incident wave has been transmitted
through the material is
also dependent on the material parameters mentioned above
It is given by another ratio known as transmission
coefficient
It is the ratio of the transmitted wave divided by the incident
wave
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6.1 Introduction
In plane wave reflection from media interface,
what we will be doing is
basically writing down the
electric and
magnetic field expressions
in all the regions of interest and
apply the boundary conditions

to get the values of the
transmission and
reflection coefficients
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6.1 Introduction
One of the possible applications of such an exercise is in
wireless communication,
where we have to find the

transmission and
reflection coefficients of
multipaths
Electromagnetic waves are often

reflected or
scattered or
diffracted
at one or more obstacles before arriving at the receiver
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6.2 Plane wave reflection from media

interface at normal incidence
For smooth surfaces,
EM waves are reflected;
For rough surfaces,

EM waves are scattered;
For edges of surfaces,

EM waves are diffracted
Fig. 6.2 depicts multipath for a mobile receiver in the car from
direct,
reflected and
diffracted waves
of the signal sent from the base station

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6.1 Introduction
Fig. 6.2 Illustration of reflected and diffracted wave in mobile

communications (this chapters study will be very helpful in
understanding wireless and mobile communications)
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We will consider the case of normal incidence,
when the incident wave propagation vector is along the normal
to the interface between two media
6.2.1 Lossy conducting medium

We will assume plane waves with electric field vector
oriented along the x-axis and
propagating along the positive z-axis without loss of
generality
For z<0 (we will refer this region as region I and it is
assumed to be a lossy medium)
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Let us do a more generalized analysis by assuming this region
I as a lossy medium
It could be a lossless medium like free space
The incident electric and magnetic fields can be expressed as
r
o e1z
Ei = xE
r
1
H i = y Eo e 1z
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where 1 is the medium 1 wave impedance and
Eo is the arbitrary amplitude of the incident electric field
The expression for intrinsic wave impedance and propagation
constant
1 =
12
j1
j1
j1 ( j1 + 1 )
j1
j
; 1 = 1 + j 1 = j 11 1 1
j1 + 1
1
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rr
EEii
r
Hi
r
r
1
i
1
r
Et
r
Ht
t
2
rr
E
Err
r
Hr
1 , 1 , 1
2 , 2 , 2
Fig. 6.3 A plane EM wave is incident from region I or medium 1 for z<0
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Convention:
a circle with a dot in the center an arrow pointing
perpendicularly out of the page and

a circle with a cross an arrow pointing perpendicularly into
the page)
Notation for fields:
subscript i incident, r reflected and ttransmitted
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Note that the incident wave from region I will be partially
reflected and transmitted at the media interface between two

regions
For reflected wave, z<0, wave direction is in the z axis and
the reflected electric field is expressed as
r
Er = xEo e + 1z
where the is the reflection coefficient
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The reflection coefficient is defined as the ratio of amplitude
of the reflected electric field divided by amplitude of the

incident electric field as follows:
=
Er
Ei
The reflected magnetic field can be obtained from the
reflected electric field using the Maxwells curl equations as
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r
r
Er = j1 H r
r
r
r
Er
j E r
j
Hr =
=
=
j1
1
1
= y
x
Eo e + 1z
y
0
z
0
1
j
j
+1z
+ 1z
E
e
=
y
E
e
=
y
Eo e + 1z
o
1
o
j1
1 z
1
H r = y Eo e + 1z
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Therefore, the Poynting vector for reflected wave of region I
is
r
r r*
z
2
2
S r = Er H r == Eo e +2 z *
shows power is traveling in the -z axis for the reflected wave

For transmitted wave, z>0, wave is propagating in lossy
medium 2 (we will refer this region as region II),
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r
E t = xE o e 2 z
r
E
H t = y o e 2 z
where 2 is the wave impedance of lossy medium 2 and is
the transmission coefficient

intrinsic wave impedance and propagation constant are
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2 =
j 2
j 2
j 2 ( j 2 + 2 )
j 2
j
; 2 = 2 + j 2 = j 2 2 1 2
j 2 + 2
2
transmission coefficient is defined as the ratio of amplitude of
the transmitted electric field divided by amplitude of the

incident electric field as follows:
=
20
Et
Ei
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Our intention here is to find the transmission and reflection
coefficients
Let us rewrite the fields in the two regions: region I (z<0)
and region II (z>0) (see Table 6.1) and
Apply the boundary conditions to obtain the two unknown
coefficients
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Table 6.1 Fields in the two lossy regions (normal incidence)
Region I (lossy medium 1)
r
o e1z
Ei = xE
r
Er = xEo e + 1z
22
Region II (lossy medium 2)
r
1
H i = y Eo e 1z
r
r
Eo 2 z
2
H
=
y
e
t
E t = xE o e
H r = y Eo e + 1z
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This is basically boundary value problem with boundary

23
conditions at z=0
Note that total electric and magnetic fields (both incident
and reflected) are tangential to the interface at z=0
Similarly, the transmitted electric and magnetic field are also
tangential to the interface at z=0
Also note that there are no surface current density at the
interface
Hence, the tangential components of electric and magnetic
fields must be continuous at the interface z=0
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r r
r
Ei + Er = Et
z =0
r
r
r
Hi + H r = Ht
Therefore,
1
(1 + ) E0 = E0 1 + =
1
1
E0
=
E
=
0
z =0
1
2
1
2
1 1+
2 1
=
=
(1 ) 2 = 1 (1 + ) =
2
1
2
2 + 1
Hence,
= 1+ = 1+
24
2 1
2 2
=
2 + 1 1 + 2
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6.2.2 Lossless medium
If the regions are lossless dielectric,
then, = 0 and and are real quantities
The propagation constant for this case is purely imaginary
and can be written as

= j =j()
The wave impedance of the dielectric is

= j = j =
25
r
r
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For a lossless medium,
is real, so,
both and are real
Electric and magnetic fields are in phase with each other
The wavelength in the dielectric is
2
2

=
=

And the phase velocity is
c
1
v
p =

=
=
r r
where c is the speed of light in free space
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Table 6.2 Fields in the two lossless regions (normal incidence)
Region I (lossless medium 1)
27
r
o e j 1z
Ei = xE
r
1
H i = y Eo e j 1 z
r
Er = xEo e + j 1z
H r = y Eo e + j 1z
Region II (lossless medium 2)

r
E
H t = y o e j 2 z
r
Et = x Eo e j 2 z
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Applying the boundary conditions like before,
we can get the expression for
reflection and
transmission coefficients,
we will get the same expression as before

2 1
=
;
2 + 1
28
2 2
1 + 2
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Poynting vector in region I
r1 r 1
r1
S = Etot H tot
r r
r
r
= Ei + Er H i + H r
) (
) (
) = (E e
0
j 1 z
x + E0e
+ j 1 z
E0* j 1z
E0* j1z
x e y e
y
1
1
2
E0 2 E0 2 e 2 j 1z E0 2 e +2 j 1z 2 E0 2
E0 2
E
0
=
1 2 ) +
e+2 j1z e 2 j 1z
(
z =
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
E0 2
0
2
=
1 )
2 j sin ( 2 1 z ) z
(
1
1
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Poynting vector in region II
*
2
2
r2 r r *
E0
E0 j 2 z
j 2 z
S = Et H t = x E0 e
e
y=z
2
2
(
)
4
1
42
2
1
2 1
Q1 2 = 1
=
=
2
2
2
( 2 1) ( 2 1)
( 2 1)
1
30
2
2
2 2
4
2 =
2
2 + 1
+
( 2 1)
2
r
1
E0
(
)
1
= S = z
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Power conservation
Compare the time average power flow in the two regions
For z <0, the time average power flow through 1m2 cross
section is
S
1
avg
r1
1
1
1
2
21
= Re S z = E0
2
2
1
And for z >0, the time average power flow through 1m2
cross section is
S
31
2
avg
2
r2
1
1
2 1
= Re S z = E0
2
2
1
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Hence,
1
2
Savg
= Savg
So real power is conserved
6.2.3 Good conductor:

If the region II (z >0) is a good (but not perfect) conductor
and
region I is a lossless medium like free space,
the propagation constant for medium 2 is
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2 = 2 + j 2 = (1 + j )
where
2 2
2
= (1 + j )
s2
is the skin depth for the medium 2,

which is a good conductor
Similarly, the intrinsic impedance of the conducting medium
2 (see also example 6.2) simplifies to
2
s
2 ( 2 )
j
j
2 2
2 =
=
=
=
2
1+ j
2 1 + j 2
(1 + j )
2
j (1 j )
j + 1) 2 2 ( j + 1) 2 2
(
2 2
2
j
=
=
=
=
+
1
(
)
2
2
(1 + j )(1 j )
(1 j 2 )
j 2
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j 2
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Now, the wave impedance of medium 2 is complex, with a
phase angle of 45o so the electric

and magnetic field will be 45o out of phase and and will
be complex.
Now, let us write down the field expressions in region I and
II for lossless dielectric (region I) and good conductor
(region II) interface
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Table 6.4 Fields in the two regions (normal incidence)
Region I (lossless medium)
Region II (good conductor)
r
o e j1z
Ei = xE
r
1
H i = y Eo e j 1z
r
Er = xEo e + j 1z
r
Et = x Eo e 2 z
H r = y Eo e + j1z
r
E
H t = y o e 2 z
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Applying the boundary conditions like before,
we can get the expression for
reflection and
transmission coefficients,
we will get the same expression as before

=
36
2 1
2 2
; =
2 + 1
1 + 2
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Note that we have to use the previous expressions for
intrinsic wave impedances for lossless medium and good

conductor
1 =
;
2 = (1 + j )
2
2 2
Power conservation
let us find out the Poynting vector in the two regions
Noting that the field in region I comprise of incident and
reflected wave,
we can write the Poynting vector for z <0
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r1 r 1
r1
S = Etot H tot
E0
r r
r
r
= Ei + Er H i + H r
) (
) (
) = (E e
0
j 1 z
x + E0 e
+ j 1 z
*
E0* j 1z
* E0 j 1 z
x e y
e
y
1
1
(1 e
* 2 j 1 z
+ e +2 j 1z
) z
For z >0, only transmitted fields exist and we can write
down the Poynting vector as
2
2
* *
r2 r r *
E
*
0
2 z
S = Et H t = x ( E0 e z ) * 0 e z y = z
e
2*
2
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At z=0,
r1 E0
S =
1 * +
) z
2
2
r 2 E0 2 2
4 E0 2
E0
2
*
S =
z
=
z
=
1
z
2
*
2
1
(1 + 2 )
Complex power is conserved

Then the time average power flow through a 1m2 cross
section can be calculated as follows

Since
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*e 2 j 1z + e +2 j 1z
is purely an imaginary number, therefore,
1
S avg
2
S avg
2
r
1
1
1
2
= Re S 1 z = E0
2
2
1
2
r2
1
1
1
2
e 2z
= Re S z = E0
2
2
2
which shows power balance at z=0 only
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Note that the Poynting vector for z>0,
this power density in the lossy conductor decays
exponentially according to the attenuation factor

6.2.4 Perfect conductor:
Now assume that the region II (z >0) contains a perfect
conductor and region I is a lossless medium
Let us rewrite the expressions for propagation constant and
wave impedance of a good conductor and deduce the
expressions for perfect conductor
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2 = 2 + j 2 = (1 + j )
2 = (1 + j )
2 2
2
= (1 + j )
s2
2
2 2
Perfect conductor implies 2, and

correspondingly, 2, s20, 20
Note that
22

, = 2 1
1 + 2
2 + 1
Therefore, 0 and -1
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Table 6.5 Fields in the two regions (normal incidence)
Region I (lossless medium)
r
o e j 1z
Ei = xE
r
Er = xEo e + j 1z
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Region II (perfect conductor)
r
1
H i = y Eo e j 1 z
H r = y Eo e + j1z
r
Et 0
r
Ht 0
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The field for z >0 thus decay infinitely fast and
are identically zero in the perfect conductor as we have seen
in example 6.2 as well

The perfect conductor can be thought of as shorting out the
incident electric field
Now let us write down the field expressions in region I and II
for lossless dielectric and perfect conductor interface (see
Table 6.5)
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Power conservation
In order to see the power conservation,
let us find out the Poynting vector in the two regions
Noting that the field in region I comprise of
incident and
reflected wave,
we can write the Poynting vector for z <0 (=-1)
r1
r r
0 e j 1z e j 1z = x 2 jE0 sin 1 z
Etot = Ei + Er = xE
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r1
r
E
E
H tot = H i + H r = y 0 e j 1 z + e j 1z = y 2 0 cos 1 z
Therefore, the Poynting vector for z<0 is

r1
r1
1
S = Etot H tot
= zj
4 E0
sin 1 z cos 1 z
which has a zero real part and

thus indicates that no real power is delivered to the perfect conductor
Fields in region II is anyway zero and hence power is also zero
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interface at oblique incidence
We will consider the problem of a plane wave
obliquely incident on a plane interface
between two lossy conducting regions
We will first consider two particular cases of this problem as
follows:
the electric field is in the xz plane (parallel polarization)

the electric field is in normal to the xz plane (perpendicular
polarization)
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Any arbitrary incident plane wave can be expressed
as a linear combination of these two principal polarizations
The plane of incidence is that plane containing

the normal vector to the interface and
the direction of propagation vector of the incident wave
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For Fig. 6.4, this is the xz plane
For perpendicular polarization (TE),
electric field is perpendicular to the plane of incidence
For parallel polarization (TM),

electric field is parallel to the plane of incidence
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x
r r
Er , H r
r r
Et , H t
r
i
r r
Ei , H i
, ,
1
2 , 2 , 2
Region I
Region II
Fig. 6.5 Oblique incidence of plane EM wave at a media interface

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6.3.1 Perpendicular polarization (TE):
In this case, electric field vector is perpendicular to the xz
plane,
Hence, it will have component along the y-axis
Since the electric field is transversal to the plane of incidence
They are also known transverse electric (TE) waves
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x
r
ri
1 sin i
n
1 cos i
r
1 cos r
1 sin r
z
2 sin t
n
2t
t
2 cos t
Fig. 6.6 Wave propagation vector for (a) incident (b) reflected and (c) transmitted
EM waves
at oblique incidence
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Let us assume that the incident wave propagates in the first
quadrant of xz plane without loss of generality and

r

(incident propagation vector) makes an angle i with
the normal (see Fig. 6.6 (a))
i
1i z ' = ( 1 cos i z + 1 sin i x ) ( zz + xx ) = 1 cos i z + 1 sin i x = 1 ( z cos i + x sin i )
r
z cos + x sin i )
Ei = E0 e 1 ( i
y
r
r
r
r
Ei
Q Ei = j1 H i H i =
j1
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x
=
j1 x
E0 e
1 ( z cosi + x sin i )
z
z cos + x sin i )
E0 e 1 ( i
=

z j1
z
e 1 ( z cosi + x sin i )
x +

x

E0 e 1 ( z cosi + x sini ) e 1 ( z cosi + x sin i )

=
x

j1
z
x

E z cos + x sin i )
= 0 e 1( i
( x cos i + z sin i )
E0 1 1 ( z cosi + x sin i )
z =
e
{ cos i x + z sin i }
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Let us assume that the reflected wave propagates in the
second quadrant of xz plane and

rr
1
(reflected propagation vector) makes an angle r with
the normal (see Fig. 6.6 (b))
r
1r z ' = ( 1 cos r z + 1 sin r x ) ( zz + xx ) = 1 cos r z + 1 sin r x = 1 ( z cos r + x sin r )
r
z cos r + x sin r )
Er = E0 TE e 1 (
y
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r
Note that 1r
and
1i
will have the same magnitude
since both the waves are still in the same region I,

only their direction changes
Since the Poynting vector must be negative like the previous
case of normal incidence,
r
E
z cos r + x sin r )
H r = 0 TE e 1 (
( x cos r + z sin r )
You could also use the Maxwells curl equation below to find
r
r
Er
this
Hr =
j1
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The transmitted fields will have similar expression with the
incident fields except
that now the i should be replaced by t (angle that transmitted
propagation vector makes with the normal),

1 should be replaced by 2 (wave is in region II now) and
multiplication by (transmission coefficient)
The transmitted fields are
r
0 TE e 2 ( z cost + x sint )
Et = yE
r
r
Et E0 TE 2 ( z cost + x sin t )
Ht =
=
e
( x cos t + z sin t )
2
j2
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Table 6.5 Fields in two regions (oblique incidence:
perpendicular polarization)
r
z cos + x sin i )
Ei = E0e 1 ( i
y
r
E z cos + x sin i )
H i = 0 e 1( i
( x cos i + z sin i )
r
z cosr + x sin r )
Er = E0 TE e 1 (
y

r
0 TE e 2 ( z cost + x sint )
Et = yE
r
E
z cos + x sin t )
H t = 0 TE e 2 ( t
( x cos t + z sin t )
r
E
z cos + x sin i )
H r = 0 TE e 1 ( i
( x cos r + z sin r )
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Equating the tangential components of electric field
(electric field has only Ey component and it is tangential at the
interface z=0) and
magnetic field
(magnetic field has two components: Hx and Hz and only Hx is
tangential at the interface z=0)
at z=0 gives
1
59
e 1x sin i + TE e 1x sin r = TE e 2 x sin t

cos i e 1x sin i +
TE
cos r e 1x sin r =
TE
cos t e
2
2 x sin t
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If Ex and Hy are to be continuous at the interface z = 0 for all
x,
then, this x variation must be the same on both sides of the
equations (also known as phase matching condition)
1 sin i = 1 sin r = 2 sin t
i = r ; 1 sin i = 2 sin t
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The first is Snells law of reflection
which states that the angle of incidence equals the angle of
reflection
The second result is the Snells law of refraction

(refraction is the change in direction of a wave due to change in
velocity from one medium to another medium)
Also note that refractive index of a medium is defined as

n=
61
c
=
vp
r r 0 0
= r r
0 0
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hence, for a lossless dielectric media,
sin i 2 2
=
=
=
sin t 1 1
2 2 v1
n
= = 2 = 2
11 v2
1 n1
Now we can simplify above two equations by applying Snells
two laws as follows

1 + TE = TE
62
cos i
+ TE
cos r
TE
cos t
2
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The above two equations has two unknowns TE and TE and
it can be solved easily as follows

cos i
TE =
TE
cos r 2
1 cos t
1 + TE = TE
Therefore,
cos i
2 cos r
cos r
1 + TE = 2
TE 2
TE 1 +
cos
cos
t
1
t
1
1 cos t
cos t + 2 cos r
TE 1
1 cos t
63
2 cos i 1 cos t
=
1 cos t

2 cos i
1
=
cos
t
1
2 cos i 1 cos t
TE
1 cos t + 2 cos r
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TE = 1 + TE = 1 +
2 cos i 1 cos t 1 cos t + 2 cos r + 2 cos i 1 cos t

22 cos i
=
=
1 cos t + 2 cos r
1 cos t + 2 cos r
1 cos t + 2 cos r
Hence, the reflection and transmission coefficients for
oblique incidence (Fresnel coefficients) for perpendicular

polarization are given as follows:
TE =
2 cos i 1 cos t
2 cos i + 1 cos t
TE =
22 cos i
2 cos i + 1 cos t
For normal incidence, it is a particular case and put

i = r = t = 0
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6.3.2 Parallel Polarization (TM):
In this case, electric field vector lies in the xz plane
Since the magnetic field is transversal to the plane of
incidence such waves are also called as transverse magnetic
(TM) waves
So let us start with H vector which will have only y
component,
r
E
H i = y 0 e 1 ( z cos i + x sin i )
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r
r
r
r Hi
Q H = j1 E Ei =
j1
x
1
=
j1 x
0
=
66
E0 1
j11
y
E0
z
E0 e1 ( z cosi + x sin i )
=

z
j11
z
e1 ( z cosi + x sin i )
x +

x

{cos i x z sin i } = E0e ( z cos + x sin ) ( cos i x z sin i )
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Similar to the previous case of parallel polarization, we can
write the reflected magnetic field vector as

r
E
1 ( z cosr + x sin r )
H r = y 0 TM ye
The transmitted fields will have similar expression with the
incident fields except that
now the i should be replaced by t (angle that transmitted
propagation vector makes with the normal),

1 should be replaced by 2 (wave is in region II) and
multiplied by a factor (transmission coefficient for TM case)
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r
( z cost + x sin t )
Et = E0 TM e 2
( x cos t z sin t )
r
E z cos + x sint )
H t = y TM 0 e 2 ( t
Table 6.6 Fields in two regions (oblique incidence: parallel

polarization) {next page}
68
3/25/2014

r
z cos + x sin i )
Ei = E0e 1 ( i
( cos i x z sin i )
r
E
H i = y 0 e 1 ( z cos i + x sin i )
r
z cos r + x sin r )
Er = E0TM e 1 (
{cos r x + z sin i }

r
( z cost + x sin t )
Et = E0 TM e 2
( x cos t z sin t )
r
E z cos + x sin t )
H t = y TM 0 e 2 ( t
r
E
1 ( z cosr + x sin r )
H r = y 0 TM ye
69
3/25/2014

Equating the tangential components of magnetic field
(magnetic field has only Hy component and it is tangential at the
interface z=0) and
electric field
(electric field has two components: Ex and Ez and only Ex is
tangential at the interface z=0)
at z=0 gives
e 1x sin i cos i + e 1x sin r TM cos r = TM e 2 x sin t cos t

e 1x sin i
1
70
TM e1x sin r
TM e x sin
=
2
3/25/2014

Therefore,
1 sin i = 1 sin r = 2 sin t

i = r ; 1 sin i = 2 sin t
which is Snells law of reflection and refraction and this
implies that
cos i + TM cos r = TM cos t

1
71
(1 TM ) =
TM
2
3/25/2014

The above two equations has two unknowns TM and TM and
it can be easily solved as follows

TM =
cos i + TM cos r
cos t
TM =
2
(1 TM )
1
Therefore,
cos i + TM cos r 2
cos i TM cos r
= (1 TM ) 2 (1 TM ) =
+
cos t
1
1
cos t
cos t
cos r cos i 2
2 cos t 1 cos r
TM 2
=
TM
1 cos t
1 cos t cos t 1
cos t 1 cos i 2 cos t 1 cos i

TM = 2
=
2 cos t + 1 cos r 2 cos t + 1 cos i
72
1 cos i 2 cos t
=
1 cos t

3/25/2014

TM =
=
2
cos t 1 cos i 2 2 cos t + 1 cos i 2 cos t + 1 cos i
(1 TM ) = 2 1 2
=
1
1 2 cos t + 1 cos i 1
2 cos t + 1 cos i
21 cos i
22 cos i
2
=
1 2 cos t + 1 cosi 2 cost + 1 cosi
Hence, the reflection and transmission coefficients for oblique
incidence (Fresnel coefficients) for parallel polarization are given as

follows:
TM
22 cos i
2 cos t 1 cos i
=
=
TM
2 cos t + 1 cos i
2 cos t + 1 cos i
Note that cosine terms multiplication in the above equations is
different from the previous expression for TE waves
73
3/25/2014

6.3.3 Brewster angle:
For =0, the angle of incidence is known as Brewster angle
(B)
This means at this angle of incidence of the EM wave from
region I,
there will be no reflection from region II,
all the EM waves will be absorbed
74
3/25/2014

For parallel polarization,
i = BTM
TM =
2 cos t 1 cos i
=0
2 cos t + 1 cos i
2 cos t = 1 cos BTM

Also we have from 2nd Snells law
1 sin BTM = 2 sin t
75
3/25/2014

Using the above two equations, we can get (see textbook)
sin 2 BTM
12
1
2
= 2
2
1 1
22 22
For lossless media, we have,
2
1
1 2
=
2 1
12 2 2
1
2
2
2
2
2 2 2 12 1
12
Q 2 = 2 =
=
; 2 =
sin 2 BTM
2
2 1
112 12 2 2 2
1
76
3/25/2014

For magnetic media,
2
TM
sin B
1 = 2
is of the form 1/0 and Brewster angle does not
exist
But, for dielectric media, it exist and can be calculated as
follows
sin BTM
77
2
1
n
1
2
=
=
tan BTM = 2 = 2
2 1
2 + 1
1 n1
1 2
3/25/2014

For perpendicular polarization,
Similarly, Brewsters angle doesnt exist for perpendicular
polarization at oblique incidence for a non-magnetic or

dielectric medium (see textbook for derivation)
For magnetic medium
sin 2 BTE =
78
2 1 ( 2 )
2
( 1 ) ( 2 )
2
1 + 2
sin BTE =
2
1 + 2
; tan BTE =
2 n2
=
1 n1
3/25/2014

Brewster angle exist for oblique incidence (perpendicular

79
polarization) for interface between two magnetic media

An incident wave consisting of both polarizations will have
reflected wave for only one polarization for Brewster angle
Brewster angle is also known as Polarizing angle (used in
optics and lasers)
In other words, an incident wave which is composed of both
TE and TM waves will have reflected TE (TM) waves only for
dielectric (magnetic) media interface
Thus, a circularly polarized incident wave at polarizing angle
will become a linearly polarized wave
3/25/2014

6.3.4 Total internal reflection:
Used in optical fibers
Light strikes an angle of incidence greater than critical angle,
all of the light energy will be reflected back, and
none of them will be absorbed
This critical angle is related to the refractive index of the two
media and is given by
n2
n
1
c = sin 1
where are the refractive index of medium 2 and 1
respectively
80
3/25/2014

In fact, this can be observed for both the polarizations we
have discussed above

From Snells Second law, we have,
1 sin i = 2 sin t sin i =
2 sin t
1
If we consider non-magnetic materials (dielectrics) of , in
that case,
2 sin t
sin i =
1
81
3/25/2014

Hence, for
i = c ,t =
(it means the transmitted wave travels along the interface, for
our case, it is x-axis) which implies that
2
2
1
sin c =
c = sin
1
1
82
3/25/2014

We can write the above relation as
0 r 2 0 r 2
2
1
=
sin
1
0 r1 0 r1
c = sin 1
r 2 r 2
1
=
sin
r1 r1
1 n2
=
sin

n1
Note that 1 > 2 to have a real value of critical angle

Besides, we have assumed that for a dielectric, r1 = r 2 = 1
83
3/25/2014

What will happen when the angle of incidence is greater than
the critical angle?

For all angles greater than the critical angle,
using Snells second law, and

noting that waves are moving from a denser to a rarer dielectric
medium,
r1 = r 2 = 1
1 > 2
Qi > c sin t =
11 sin i
> 1 cos t = 1 sin 2 t
2 2
The value of cos t
84
should be imaginary
3/25/2014

It can be shown that (see textbook for derivation)
2
2
r r r*
E0 j 2 2 z cost
E0 j 2 2 z cost
S = E H = x
e
sin t + z
e
cos* t
For z>0, since cos t is an imaginary number, cos* t is
also purely imaginary

Hence, the second term is imaginary, therefore, no real
power is flowing along z-axis in region II
The first term which has direction along x-axis is real and is
exponentially decaying with z
85
3/25/2014

Hence,
When a wave is incident at an angle of incidence greater than

86
or equal to the critical angle from region I,

the wave will be total internally reflected in region I
Surface waves exist in the region II,
which is propagating along x-axis (direction of power flow),
and
attenuating very fast along z-axis
People have used this for communications using submarines
3/25/2014

6.3.5 Effects on polarization:
Since any arbitrary wave incident obliquely from region I can
be decomposed into linear combinations of TE and TM
waves and
we also know that the expressions for reflection and
transmission coefficients for parallel and perpendicular
polarizations are different
TE =
87
2 cos i 1 cos t
;
2 cos i + 1 cos t
TM =
2 cos t 1 cos i
2 cos t + 1 cos i
3/25/2014

So, any circularly polarized incident wave will
become elliptically polarized after reflection or transmission
Similarly, a linearly polarized wave (note that linear
polarization could be expressed as linear combination of

RHCP and LHCP) may be
rotated after reflection
88
3/25/2014

For instance,
If the region II is a perfect conductor, 2=0, =-1 for both
TE and TM cases,
this means a RHCP wave after reflection will become LHCP
wave and vice versa
This is why circular polarization is not used for indoor
communication systems since we have many reflections inside a

room
89
3/25/2014
Plane waves reflection from a media interface
6.4 Summary
Normal incidence
1
Savg
=
Lossless
medium
TM
2
r
1
1
2 1
Re S 1 z = E0
2
2
1
TM =
Good conductor
2
avg
TE =
TE
0 and -1

22
= 2 1; =
1 + 2
2 + 1
1
2
Savg
= Savg
TE
Perfect
conductor
Lossy conducting
medium
2 cos i 1 cos t
2 cos i + 1 cos t
TM
22 cos i
2 cos t + 1 cos i
Effect on
polarization
22 cos i
=
2 cos i + 1 cos t
cos t 1 cos i
= 2
2 cos t + 1 cos i
2
r+
1
1
2 1
= Re S z = E0
e 2z
2
2
2
Oblique incidence
Brewster
angle
tan BTM =
tan
TE
B
2 n2
=
1 n1
2 n2
=
=
1 n1
Q i > c sin t =
CPEP
Total internal
reflection
2
c = sin 1
11 sin i
> 1 cos t = 1 sin 2 t
2 2
Fig. 6.7 Plane waves reflection from media interface in a nutshell
90
3/25/2014

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6.

Plane waves reflection from media

Electromagnetic Field Theory by R. S. Kshetrimayum

Total internal reflection

Electromagnetic Field Theory by R. S. Kshetrimayum

When a radio wave reflects from a surface,

Electromagnetic Field Theory by R. S. Kshetrimayum

known as the reflection coefficient of the surface

of the material that forms the reflective surface

Electromagnetic Field Theory by R. S. Kshetrimayum

also dependent on the material parameters mentioned above

It is given by another ratio known as transmission

Electromagnetic Field Theory by R. S. Kshetrimayum

apply the boundary conditions

Electromagnetic Field Theory by R. S. Kshetrimayum

where we have to find the

Electromagnetic waves are often

at one or more obstacles before arriving at the receiver

Electromagnetic Field Theory by R. S. Kshetrimayum

6.2 Plane wave reflection from media

For rough surfaces,

For edges of surfaces,

of the signal sent from the base station

Electromagnetic Field Theory by R. S. Kshetrimayum

Fig. 6.2 Illustration of reflected and diffracted wave in mobile

Electromagnetic Field Theory by R. S. Kshetrimayum

6.2 Plane wave reflection from media

to the interface between two media

6.2.1 Lossy conducting medium

Electromagnetic Field Theory by R. S. Kshetrimayum

6.2 Plane wave reflection from media

Electromagnetic Field Theory by R. S. Kshetrimayum

6.2 Plane wave reflection from media

Electromagnetic Field Theory by R. S. Kshetrimayum

6.2 Plane wave reflection from media

Electromagnetic Field Theory by R. S. Kshetrimayum

6.2 Plane wave reflection from media

perpendicularly out of the page and

Electromagnetic Field Theory by R. S. Kshetrimayum

6.2 Plane wave reflection from media

reflected and transmitted at the media interface between two

Electromagnetic Field Theory by R. S. Kshetrimayum

6.2 Plane wave reflection from media

of the reflected electric field divided by amplitude of the

The reflected magnetic field can be obtained from the

reflected electric field using the Maxwells curl equations as

Electromagnetic Field Theory by R. S. Kshetrimayum

6.2 Plane wave reflection from media

Electromagnetic Field Theory by R. S. Kshetrimayum

6.2 Plane wave reflection from media

shows power is traveling in the -z axis for the reflected wave

medium 2 (we will refer this region as region II),

Electromagnetic Field Theory by R. S. Kshetrimayum

6.2 Plane wave reflection from media

where 2 is the wave impedance of lossy medium 2 and is

the transmission coefficient

Electromagnetic Field Theory by R. S. Kshetrimayum

6.2 Plane wave reflection from media

transmission coefficient is defined as the ratio of amplitude of

the transmitted electric field divided by amplitude of the

Electromagnetic Field Theory by R. S. Kshetrimayum

6.2 Plane wave reflection from media

Electromagnetic Field Theory by R. S. Kshetrimayum