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Lecture 4: Light As Electromagnetic Wave

Dr. A K M Baki
Ahsanullah University of Science & Technology (AUST)
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IGHT AS AN ELECTROMAGNETIC WAV

In order to obtain an improved model for the propagation of
light in an optical fiber, electromagnetic wave theory must be
considered.
The basis for the study of electromagnetic wave propagation
is provided by Maxwells equations.
In the context of Electromagnetic Optics, electromagnetic
radiation propagates in the form of two mutually coupled
vector waves, an electric field-wave & magnetic field wave.

IGHT AS AN ELECTROMAGNETIC WAV

In a source-free & non-dispersive media, these electric &
magnetic fields satisfy the following partial differential
equations, known as Maxwell equations:

.E 0
.H 0

H
E
t

E
H
t

No free charges
No free poles

TIME VARYING ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC

FIELDS ARE COUPLED - THIS COUPLING IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROPAGATION OF
ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES !!!

IGHT AS AN ELECTROMAGNETIC WAV

In Maxwells equations, E is the electric field intensity expressed in

[V/m], H is the magnetic field intensity expressed in [A/m].

[F/m] : Electric permittivi ty

[H/m] : Magnetic permeabili ty
: is divergence operation
: is curl operation
The four field vectors are related by,

EQUATIONS OF TRAVELING WAVE

EQUATION OF ELECTRIC FIELD TRAVELING AT
SPEED v :
2
2 Ex 2 Ex 2 Ex 1 2 Ex
1 E

2
2
2
2
2
x
y
z
v t 2
E 2 2

v t

2Ey

WAVE EQUATION IS
ESSENTIALLY
THREE EQUATIONS
STACKED
TOGETHER ONE FOR
EACH
HERE:
COMPONENT OF THE EFIELD

x y z
x
y
z

2Ey
y

2Ey
z 2

2
1 Ey
2
v t 2

2 Ez 2 Ez 2 Ez
1 2 Ez

2
2
2
2
x
y
z
v t 2
AN
D

2
x

2
y

2
z 2

EQUATIONS OF TRAVELING WAVE

EQUATION OF MAGNETIC FIELD TRAVELING AT
SPEED v :
2H x 2H x 2H x 1 2H x

2
2
2
2
x
y
z
v t 2

2
1

H
2
H 2
v t 2

2H y
x

2H y
y

2H y
z 2

2
1 Hy
2
v t 2

2H z 2H z 2H z
1 2H z

2
2
2
2
x
y
z
v t 2

Propagation of Electromagnetic Wave

For EM waves in particular
Directions of M and E are perpendicular to the
direction of propagation.
Directions of M and E are perpendicular to each
other
Direction is given by EM
The speed is always the same (in vacuum): v=c=
(3.00108 m/s) in free space.

Propagation of Electromagnetic Wave

Ex

DirectionofPropagation

x
z
y

By

An electromagnetic wave is a travelling wave which has time

varying electric and magnetic fields which are perpendicular
to each other and the direction of propagation,z.

PHASE VELOCITY

THE RED DOT MOVES WITH THE PHASE

VELOCITY, AND IS LOCATED AT A FIXED
WAVE PHASE: THE CREST FOR THE CASE
SHOWN.

Propagation of Light Wave in an Optical

Wave Guide

THE COMPONENTS HAVE BOTH

SPACE AND TIME DEPENDENCE.

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CONSTANT PHASE PLANE

E and H have constant phase in

the xy plane a wave front).

E
E
H

Ex

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Ex=Eo sin(tkz )

k
Propagation

A plane EM wave travelling along z

direction, has the same Ex ( or Hy)
at any point in a given xy plane. All
electric field vectors in a given xy
z plane are therefore in phase. The
xy planes are of infinite extent in
the x and y directions.

SOME DEFINITIONS
2v

2f

DISPERSION
RELATION:

2
k

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f v c (in _ free _ space)

kc

k = wave number or wave vector or propagation

constant in free space (unit: 1/m)

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Wave Propagation in Dielectric Slab

The refractive index within the guide is n1.

The optical wavelength in this region is reduced to /n1 (since velocity
is reduced by an amount n1).
The vacuum propagation constant k is increased to n1k in the guide.
Considering as the angle between the wave propagation vector and
the guide axis, the plane wave can be resolved into two component
plane waves propagating in the longitudinal z and transverse x
directions.

k- Vector Triangle
Propagation Constant
in The Guide.
Transverse
Component.

Longitudinal
Component.

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Components of Plane Wave

Suggested Reading

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1. John M. Senior, Optical Fiber Communications - Principles and

Practice, Prentice Hall, Latest Edition.
2. Gerd Keiser, Optical Fiber Communications, McGraw-Hill, Latest
Edition.
3. Lecture notes provided by the instructor.