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r r
where E is the electric field, B is the magnetic field,
is the permittivity, and is the permeability of the
medium.
As written, they assume no charges (or free space).
Derivation of the Wave Equation
from Maxwell’s Equations
r
r r r ∂B
Take ∇× of: ∇× E = −
∂t r
r r r r ∂B
∇× [∇× E ] = ∇× [− ]
∂t
Change the order of differentiation on the RHS:
r r r ∂ r r
∇× [∇× E ] = − [∇× B]
∂t
Derivation of the Wave Equation
from Maxwell’s Equations (cont’d)
r
r r ∂E
But: ∇× B = με
∂t
r r
Substituting for ∇× B , we have:
r
r r r r r r r r ∂ ∂E
∂
∇× [∇× E]=− [∇× B] ⇒ ∇× [∇× E ] = − [ με ]
∂t ∂t ∂t
Or: r
r r r ∂E 2 assuming that
∇× [∇× E ] = −με 2 and are constant
∂t in time.
Derivation of the Wave Equation
from Maxwell’s Equations (cont’d)
r r r r r r r
Identity: 2
∇× [∇× f] ≡ ∇(∇⋅f) −∇ f
r r r r
Using the identity, ∇× [∇× E]= −με ∂ E 2
∂t2
r
r r r r
∇(∇⋅E )−∇2 E = −με ∂ E
2
becomes:
∂t2
If we now assume zero charge density: = 0, then
r r
∇⋅E = 0
and we’re left with the Wave Equation!
r r
∇2 E = με ∂ E
2
where µε ≡ 1/c2
∂t2
Why light waves are transverse
Suppose a wave propagates in the x-direction. Then it’s a function of x
and t (and not y or z), so all y- and z-derivatives are zero:
∂E y ∂Ez ∂By ∂Bz
= = = =0
∂y ∂z ∂y ∂z
Now, in a charge-free medium, r r r r
∇⋅E =0 and ∇⋅B =0
that is,
∂Ex + y+ ∂Ez =0 ∂Bx + ∂By+ ∂Bz =0
∂E
∂x ∂y ∂z ∂x ∂y ∂z
Suppose a wave propagates in the x-direction and has its electric field
along the y-direction [so Ex = Ez= 0, and Ey = Ey(x,t)].
r ⎛⎜ ∂E ⎞⎟
So: −∂B = ⎜⎜0,0, y⎟⎟
∂t ⎜ ∂x ⎟
⎝ ⎠
In other words: ∂E y
∂B
− = z
∂t ∂x
∂B ∂E y r ⎞ ⎡
⎢ ⎛ ⎞⎥
⎤
and E r,t ⎟⎠ = E0 exp⎢i⎜⎜ kx −ωt⎟⎟ ⎥
⎛
Start with: − = z y ⎜⎝
∂t ∂x % ⎢ ⎝
⎣
⎠⎥
⎦
t
∂E y
We can integrate: Bz(x,t) = Bz( x,0) −
∂x ∫
0
dt
Take Bz(x,0) = 0
Differentiating Ey with
The electric field, the magnetic field, and the k-vector are all
perpendicular:
r r r
E × B∝ k
The Energy Density of a Light Wave
1 2
The energy density of an electric field is: UE = εE
2
11 2
The energy density of a magnetic field is: UB = B
2μ
1
Using B = E/c, and c = , which together imply that B = E εμ
εμ
we have: 11 2 1 2
UB = ( E εμ ) = ε E = U E
2μ 2
U = U E + U B = ε E2
Total energy density:
= U V = U A c t
= U V / ( A t ) = U A c t / ( A t ) = U c = c
E2
= c2 E B
r r r
And the direction E × B ∝ k is reasonable.
The Irradiance (often called the Intensity)
t+ T /2
r r 1 r r
A light wave’s average power
per unit area is the irradiance.
S ( r ,t) =
T ∫
t−T /2
S( r, t') dt'
Substituting a light wave into the expression for the Poynting vector,
r 2
r r
S=c ε E× B
, yields: real amplitudes
r r r r r r
2 2
S ( r ,t) = c ε E0 × B0 cos ( k ⋅r −ω t −θ )
% % %2 %2 ⎦
* Note the
Therefore: I = I1 + cε R e { E1 ⋅E2 } + I 2
% % cross term!
I = I1 + I 2 +
Same *
I = I1 + I 2
colors cε R e { E1 ⋅E2 }
% %
Different
I = I1 + I 2 I = I1 + I 2
colors
Interference only occurs when the waves have the same color and
polarization.
Light is not only a wave, but also a particle.
When we detect very weak light, we find that it’s made up of particles.
We call them photons.
Photons
The energy of a single photon is: h or hω = (h/2)
One photon of visible light contains about 10-19 Joules, not much!
= P / h
Bose-Einstein
Poisson
Photons have momentum
If an atom emits a photon, it recoils in the opposite direction.
If the atoms are excited and then emit light, the atomic beam spreads
much more than if the atoms are not excited and do not emit.
Photons—Radiation Pressure
Photons have no mass and always travel at the speed of light.
Eugene Hecht