Lecture 25

Guided Waves in Parallel Plate Metal Waveguides

In this lecture you will learn:

• Parallel plate metal waveguides

•TE and TM guided modes in waveguides

ECE 303 – Fall 2007 – Farhan Rana – Cornell University

Parallel Plate Metal Waveguides

z
• Consider a parallel plate waveguide (shown above)

• We have studied such structures in the context of transmission lines

• We know that they can guide TEM waves (Transverse Electric and Magnetic)
in which both the electric and magnetic fields point in direction perpendicular
to the propagation direction

• But these structures can guide more than just the TEM waves that we have
considered so far ………….

ECE 303 – Fall 2007 – Farhan Rana – Cornell University

1
 Basic Wave Equations

Consider a parallel plate waveguide:

x

ε µo
d
z

The electric field of any guided wave will satisfy the complex wave equations:
r r r r r r r r
∇ × E (r ) = − j ω µo H (r ) ∇ 2 E (r ) = −ω 2 µo ε E (r )
r r r r r r r r
∇ × H (r ) = j ω ε E (r ) ∇ 2 H (r ) = −ω 2 µo ε H (r )
We look for solutions of the equation,
r r r r
∇ 2 E (r ) = −ω 2 µo ε E (r )
where the z-dependence is that of a wave going in the z-direction, and where the
E-field is pointing in the y-direction:
r r
E (r ) = yˆ F ( x ) e − j k z z

Some unknown function of “x”

ECE 303 – Fall 2007 – Farhan Rana – Cornell University

TE Guided Modes - I
x

ε µo
d
z

r r
The assumed solution form: E (r ) = yˆ F ( x ) e − j k z z
represents a TE guided wave (Transverse Electric) since the direction of E-field is
transverse to the direction of wave propagation
Plugging the assumed solution into the equation gives:
r r r r
∇ 2 E (r ) = −ω 2 µo ε E (r )
⎛ ∂2 ∂ 2 ⎞⎟ r r r r
⇒ ⎜ ( ) 2
( )
⎜ ∂z 2 + ∂x 2 ⎟ E r = −ω µo ε E r
⎝ ⎠

⇒ −
∂ 2F ( x )
∂x 2
(
= ω 2 µo ε − k z2 F ( x ) )
Perfect metal boundary conditions ⇒ F ( x = 0 ) = F ( x = d ) = 0

ECE 303 – Fall 2007 – Farhan Rana – Cornell University

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 TE Guided Modes - II
Need to solve: −
∂ 2F ( x )
∂x 2
(
= ω 2 µo ε − k z2 F ( x ) )
With boundary conditions ⇒ F ( x = 0) = F ( x = d ) = 0

Solution is: F ( x ) = Eo sin(k x x )

Automatically satisfies the
boundary condition: F ( x = 0 ) = 0
But the value of kx cannot be arbitrary – boundary condition at x = d dictates that:
mπ
kx = where : m = 1, 2, 3, KK
d
⎛ mπ ⎞
Solution becomes: F ( x ) = Eo sin⎜ x⎟
⎝ d ⎠
r r
And: E (r ) = yˆ Eo sin⎜
⎛ mπ ⎞ − j k z z
x⎟ e { m = 1, 2, 3, KK
⎝ d ⎠
x

m=2 ε µo
d Ey m=1 Ey
z

ECE 303 – Fall 2007 – Farhan Rana – Cornell University

TE Guided Modes - III

r r ⎛ mπ ⎞ − j k z z
E (r ) = yˆ Eo sin⎜ x⎟ e { m = 1, 2, 3, KK
⎝ d ⎠

E-field: m=1 mode x

d E
z
π
kz

x
E-field: m=2 mode

E
d
z

π
kz
ECE 303 – Fall 2007 – Farhan Rana – Cornell University

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 TE Guided Modes – Dispersion Relation
x

m=2 ε µo
d Ey m=1 Ey
z

r r ⎛ m π ⎞ − j kz z
E (r ) = yˆ Eo sin⎜ x⎟ e { m = 1, 2, 3, KK
⎝ d ⎠
Different “m” values correspond to different TE modes – labeled as TEm modes

The equation: −
∂ 2F ( x )
∂x 2
(
= ω 2 µo ε − k z2 F ( x ) ) implies:

k z2 + k x2 = ω 2 µo ε
2
⎛m π ⎞
⇒ k z2 + ⎜ 2
⎟ = ω µo ε
⎝ d ⎠
2
⎛m π ⎞ Dispersion relation for
⇒ k z = ω 2 µo ε − ⎜ ⎟ TEm guided mode
⎝ d ⎠
ECE 303 – Fall 2007 – Farhan Rana – Cornell University

TE Guided Modes –xCut-off Frequency

m=2 ε µo
d m=1
Ey Ey z

2
⎛m π ⎞ Dispersion relation for
k z = ω 2 µo ε − ⎜ ⎟ TEm guided mode
⎝ d ⎠
kz plane wave dispersion
For the TEm mode, if the frequency ω is relation: k z = ω µo ε
less than:
1 ⎛m π ⎞
⎜ ⎟
µo ε ⎝ d ⎠ TE1 mode
dispersion relation
Then kz becomes entirely imaginary
and the mode does not propagate (but TE2 mode
decays exponentially with distance) dispersion relation

⇒ Cut-off frequency for TEm mode:

ω
1 ⎛m π ⎞
ωm = ⎜ ⎟ ω1 ω2
µo ε ⎝ d ⎠
ECE 303 – Fall 2007 – Farhan Rana – Cornell University

4
 TE Guided Modesx– Magnetic Field

m=2 ε µo
d m=1
Ey Ey z

r r ⎛ m π ⎞ − j kz z
E (r ) = yˆ Eo sin⎜ x⎟ e { m = 1, 2, 3, KK
⎝ d ⎠
r r r r
Magnetic field is given by the equation: ∇ × E (r ) = − j ω µo H (r )

r r jE ⎡ m π ⎛ mπ ⎞ ˆ ⎛ m π ⎞⎤ − j k z z
H (r ) = o ⎢ zˆ cos⎜ x ⎟ + x j k z sin⎜ x ⎟⎥ e
ω µo ⎣ d ⎝ d ⎠ ⎝ d ⎠⎦

Note that the perfect metal boundary condition for the magnetic field is
automatically satisfied i.e:
r r
H x (r ) x = 0 = H x (r ) x = d = 0

ECE 303 – Fall 2007 – Farhan Rana – Cornell University

TE Guided Modes – Field Profiles

The E-field and H-field lines for the TE1 mode are shown below:

d H H H
E E z

π
kz

r r ⎛ m π ⎞ − j kz z
E (r ) = yˆ Eo sin⎜ x⎟ e { m = 1, 2, 3, KK
⎝ d ⎠

r r jE ⎡ m π ⎛ mπ ⎞ ˆ ⎛ m π ⎞⎤ − j k z z
H (r ) = o ⎢ zˆ cos⎜ x ⎟ + x j k z sin⎜ x ⎟⎥ e
ω µo ⎣ d ⎝ d ⎠ ⎝ d ⎠⎦

ECE 303 – Fall 2007 – Farhan Rana – Cornell University

5
 TE Guided Modes – Another Perspective - I
Consider TE-wave reflection off a perfect metal:
x ε µo
Ei
r r E
ki Er kr
Hi
z
Hr
r r
k i = − k x xˆ + k z zˆ k r = k x xˆ + k z zˆ

k z2 + k x2 = ω 2 µo ε

r r
E (r ) = yˆ E i e − j (− k x x + kz z )
+ yˆ ΓE i e − j (k x x +kz z )
Γ = −1
x >0
r r
E (r )
x >0
[
= yˆ E i e − j ( − k x x + k z z ) − e − j (k x x +kz z )
]
r r
⇒ E (r ) = yˆ 2 j E i sin(k x x ) e − j k z z
x >0

Notice the “sine” variation of the

y-component of the E-field
ECE 303 – Fall 2007 – Farhan Rana – Cornell University

TE Guided Modes – Another Perspective - II

If another top metal plate is placed at one of the nodes of the “sine” function
then this additional metal plate will not disturb the field
r r
E (r ) = yˆ 2 j Ei sin(k x x ) e − j k z z
x >0
x

Ei Ei
r r r Ey
ki Er kr ki
Hi Hi
ε µo z
Hr
r r
k i = − k x xˆ + k z zˆ k r = k x xˆ + k z zˆ

This is exactly what guided TE modes are – TE-waves bouncing back and fourth
between two metal plates and propagating in the z-direction !

ECE 303 – Fall 2007 – Farhan Rana – Cornell University

6
 TM Guided Modes - I
Consider TM-wave reflection off a perfect metal:
x

Ei ε µo Hy
r r
Hi ki
Er kr
Hr z

r r
k i = − k x xˆ + k z zˆ k r = k x xˆ + k z zˆ

k z2 + k x2 = ω 2 µo ε

r r
H (r ) = yˆ Hi e − j (− k x x + kz z )
+ yˆ ΓTM Hi e − j (k x x +kz z )
ΓTM = +1
x >0
r r
H (r )
x >0
[
= yˆ Hi e − j (− k x x + kz z )
+ e − j (k x x +kz z )
]
r r
⇒ H (r ) = yˆ 2 Hi cos(k x x ) e − j k z z
x >0

Notice the “cosine” variation of

the y-component of the H-field
ECE 303 – Fall 2007 – Farhan Rana – Cornell University

TM Guided Modes - II
If another top metal plate is placed at the maximum points of the “cosine”
function then this additional metal plate will not disturb the field
r r
H (r ) = yˆ 2 Hi cos(k x x ) e − j k z z
x >0
x

Ei Ei
r r r
Hi ki Hi ki Hy
Er kr
Hr z
ε µo

r r
k i = − k x xˆ + k z zˆ k r = k x xˆ + k z zˆ

This is exactly what guided TM modes are – TM-waves bouncing back and fourth
between two metal plates and propagating in the z-direction !

ECE 303 – Fall 2007 – Farhan Rana – Cornell University

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 TM Guided Modes –xBasic Equations - I

ε µo
d
z

r r r r
Need to solve the equation: ∇ 2 H (r ) = −ω 2 µo ε H (r )
r r
Assume the solution form: H (r ) = yˆ G ( x ) e − j k z z

It represents a TM guided wave (Transverse Magnetic) since the direction of

H-field is transverse to the direction of wave propagation

Plugging the assumed solution into the equation gives:

r r r r
∇ 2 H (r ) = −ω 2 µo ε H (r )
⎛ ∂2 ∂ 2 ⎞⎟ r r r r
⇒ ⎜ + ( ) 2
( )
⎜ ∂z 2 ∂x 2 ⎟ H r = −ω µo ε H r
⎝ ⎠

⇒ −
∂ 2G ( x )
∂x 2
(
= ω 2 µo ε − k z2 G ( x ) )
ECE 303 – Fall 2007 – Farhan Rana – Cornell University

TM Guided Modes – xBasic Equations - II

m=1
Hy Hy ε µo
d m=2
z

Need to solve: −
∂ 2G ( x )
∂x 2
(
= ω 2 µo ε − k z2 G ( x ) )
Motivation for this is obtained from the
Solution is: G ( x ) = Ho cos(k x x ) TM-wave reflection analysis discussed
earlier

π
kx = m where : m = 0, 1, 2, 3, KK
d
⎛ mπ ⎞
Solution becomes: G ( x ) = Ho cos⎜ x⎟
⎝ d ⎠

r r
And: H (r ) = yˆ Ho cos⎜
⎛ m π ⎞ − j kz z
x⎟ e { m = 0, 1, 2, 3, KK
⎝ d ⎠
ECE 303 – Fall 2007 – Farhan Rana – Cornell University

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 TM Guided Modes – Electric Field
x

Hy Hy ε µo
m=1 m=2
d
z

r r ⎛ m π ⎞ − j kz z
H (r ) = yˆ Ho cos⎜ x⎟ e { m = 0, 1, 2, 3, KK
⎝ d ⎠
r r r r
Electric field is given by the equation: ∇ × H (r ) = j ω ε E (r )

r r jH ⎡ mπ ⎛ mπ ⎞ ˆ ⎛ m π ⎞⎤ − j kz z
E (r ) = − o ⎢ − zˆ sin⎜ x ⎟ + x j k z cos⎜ x ⎟⎥ e
ωε ⎣ d ⎝ d ⎠ ⎝ d ⎠⎦

Note that the perfect metal boundary condition for the electric field is
automatically satisfied, i.e.:
r r
E z (r ) x = 0 = E z (r ) x = d = 0

ECE 303 – Fall 2007 – Farhan Rana – Cornell University

TM Guided Modes – Dispersion Relation

x

m=1
Hy Hy ε µo
d m=2
z

r r ⎛ m π ⎞ − j kz z
H (r ) = yˆ Ho cos⎜ x⎟ e { m = 0, 1, 2, 3, KK
⎝ d ⎠
Different “m” values correspond to different TM modes – labeled as TMm modes

The equation: −
∂ 2G ( x )
∂x 2
(
= ω 2 µo ε − k z2 G ( x ) ) implies:

k z2 + k x2 = ω 2 µo ε
2
⎛m π ⎞
⇒ k z2 + ⎜ 2
⎟ = ω µo ε
⎝ d ⎠
2
⎛m π ⎞ Dispersion relation for
⇒ k z = ω 2 µo ε − ⎜ ⎟ TMm waveguide mode
⎝ d ⎠
ECE 303 – Fall 2007 – Farhan Rana – Cornell University

9
 TM Guided Modes –x Cut-off Frequency

Hy Hy ε µo
m=1 m=2
d
z

2
⎛m π ⎞ Dispersion relation for
k z = ω 2 µo ε − ⎜ ⎟ TMm guided mode
⎝ d ⎠
TM0 mode
kz dispersion relation
For the TMm mode, if the frequency ω is
less than:
1 ⎛m π ⎞
⎜ ⎟ kz = ω µo ε
µo ε ⎝ d ⎠ TM1 mode
dispersion relation
Then kz becomes entirely imaginary
and the mode does not propagate (but TM2 mode
decays exponentially with distance) dispersion relation

⇒ Cut-off frequency for TMm mode:

ω
1 ⎛m π ⎞
ωm = ⎜ ⎟ ω0 ω1 ω2
µo ε ⎝ d ⎠
ECE 303 – Fall 2007 – Farhan Rana – Cornell University

TM Guided Modes – Field Profiles

The E-field and H-field lines for the TM1 mode are shown below:
x

d E H
z

π
kz

r r ⎛ m π ⎞ − j kz z
H (r ) = yˆ Ho cos⎜ x⎟ e { m = 0, 1, 2, 3, KK
⎝ d ⎠

r r jH ⎡ mπ ⎛ mπ ⎞ ˆ ⎛ m π ⎞⎤ − j kz z
E (r ) = − o ⎢ − zˆ sin⎜ x ⎟ + x j k z cos⎜ x ⎟⎥ e
ωε ⎣ d ⎝ d ⎠ ⎝ d ⎠⎦

ECE 303 – Fall 2007 – Farhan Rana – Cornell University

10
 TM0 Guided Mode – Field Profiles
The E-field and H-field for the TM0 mode are:
r r
H (r ) = yˆ Ho e − j k z z
r r Note that fields are not a function of “x”
k
E (r ) = xˆ z Ho e − j k z z
ωε
The E-field and H-field lines for the TM0 mode are shown below:
x

E
d
H z

π
kz

The TM0 mode is just the TEM mode that we worked with when dealing with
transmission lines !

ECE 303 – Fall 2007 – Farhan Rana – Cornell University

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