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ComplexWave Lecture
ComplexWave Lecture
f(x)
f(x-2)
f(x-1)
f(x-3)
2 f
x 2
1 2 f
v 2 t 2
f ( x, t ) f ( x vt )
where f (u) can be any twice-differentiable function.
x u x
So
f f
x u
2
2
x 2 u 2
and
f
f
v
t
u
f f u
t u t
2
2
f
2
v
t 2
u 2
2 f
1 2 f
2 2
2
x
v t
2 f
1 2 2 f
2 v
2
u
v
u 2
u
v
t
2
k=
= 2 = angular wavenumber
( = wavelength;
= wavenumber = 1/)
Alternatively:
E = E 0 cos(kx t)
In-phase waves
Out-of-phase
waves
v = f
In terms of k, k = 2/ , and
the angular frequency, = 2/ , this is:
v =/k
This is the velocity at which the overall shape of the waves amplitudes,
or the wave envelope, propagates. (= signal velocity)
Here, phase velocity = group velocity (the medium is non-dispersive)
Black dot moves at phase velocity. Red dot moves at group velocity.
This is normal dispersion (refractive index decreases with increasing )
Black dot moves at group velocity. Red dot moves at phase velocity.
This is anomalous dispersion (refractive index increases with increasing )
Complex numbers
Consider a point,
P = (x,y), on a 2D
Cartesian grid.
or sometimes j = (-1)
Eulers Formula
P = A exp(i) = A ei
where
A = Amplitude
= Phase
E = E 0e
ik( x ct )
= E 0e
i( kx t )
kx
E(x,t) = E0 cos(kx t )
Since exp(i) = cos() + i sin(), E(x,t) can also be written:
E(x,t) = Re { E0 exp[i(kx t )] }
Recall that the energy transferred by a wave (flux density) is
proportional to the square of the amplitude, i.e., E02. Only the interaction
of the wave with matter can alter the energy of the propagating wave.
Remote sensing exploits this modulation of energy.
E(x,t) = E 0 exp[i(kx t )]
E(x,t) = [E 0 exp(i)] exp[i(kx t)]
Where the constant stuff is separated from the rapidly changing stuff.
[E 0 exp(i)]
Vector fields
However, light is a 3D vector field.
A 3D vector field assigns a 3D vector (i.e., an arrow having both
direction and length) to each point in 3D space.
A light wave has both electric and magnetic 3D vector fields:
And it can propagate in any direction, and point in any direction in space.
r2
2 E
E 2 0
t
r r
r r
r
whose solution is: E(x, y,z,t) = E0 exp(k"x) exp([i(k'x t)]
r r
r r
r
E(x, y,z,t) = E0 exp(k"x) exp([i(k'x t)]
The vector
is normal to planes of constant phase (and hence indicates the
k'
direction of propagation of wave crests)
k"
The vector
is normal to planes of constant amplitude. Note that these are not
necessarily parallel.
The
amplitude of the wave at location
r r
E exp(k"x)
is zero, then the medium is nonabsorbing, since the 0amplitude is
is now:
So if
constant
k"
c=
=
00 k
v=
=
k
We can now define the complex index of refraction, N, as the ratio of
the wave velocity in free space to the velocity in the medium:
c
N=
=
or
00 v
N = nr + i ni
nr 2
k =
=
c
ni 2ni
k=
=
c
c
Absorption of EM radiation
1
F = c0 E 2
2
Absorption of EM radiation
r r
xis: E0 exp(k"x)
r r 2
r r
F = F0 [exp(k"x)] = F0 exp(2 k"x)
Absorption of EM radiation
k:
ni 2ni
k=
=
c
c
4ni
F = F0 exp(
x)
c
4ni
F = F0 exp(
x) = F0 e
c
Where a is known as the absorption coefficient:
ax
4ni 4ni
=
c
The
quantity 1/a gives the distance required for the waves energy to be
attenuated to e-1 or ~37% of its original value, or the absorption/skin
depth. Its a function of frequency/wavelength.
qe2
Nk
n =1+
2 2
20 m k k + ik
qe = charge on an electron
0 = electric constant
m = mass of an electron
Nk
= number of charges (oscillators) of type k per unit volume
= angular frequency of the EM radiation
k = resonant frequency of an electron bound in an atom
= damping coefficient for oscillator k (oscillation cannot be permanent)
What is the refractive index of visible light in air?
What happens as the frequency of EM radiation increases at constant k?
What happens if the resonant frequency is in the visible range?
What happens if > k? e.g., shine x-rays on glass, or radio waves on free
electrons.