Vector Potentials and Antennas

Vector Potentials

Maxwells Equations Time-Harmonic Electromagnetic Fields

Homogeneous Medium

E = j H

iE =

H = j E + J

i H = 0

Vector Potentials

The Vector Potential

Since

i B = 0

Now for any vector field

i A= 0

Define

B = H = A

or

1
H = A

Vector Potentials

Substituting

1
H = A

E = j H

1
E = j A

E + j A = 0

Note that for any scalar function

0

E + j A = 0 = ( )

E + j A =

Vector Potentials

The Wave Equation for A Time-Harmonic Fields

B= A

2
B = H = j E + J = A = i A A

2
j j A + J = i A A

2
2
j + A + J = i A A

(
)

2
2
i A A = J j + A

So what?

Vector Potentials

Helmholtz Theorem (the divergence and the curl are independent):

Any vector field may be written as:

C = + A

Ci = ( irrotational - zero curl)

Cs = A ( soleniodal - zero divergence )

Proof:

C =

+ A
0

i C = i +
i

A

0
Vector Potentials

The Wave Equation for A Time-Harmonic Fields

2
2
i A A = J j + A

i A = j

2
2
A = J + A

1
So what? We specified the curl of as to satisfy H = A

We are also free to specify its divergence. i A = j

(This is known as the Lorentz condition)
Vector Potentials

The Wave Equation for A Time-Harmonic Fields

Look how nice this is:

E + j A =

i E + j i A = i

2
2
+ j i A = j i A =

i A = j j i A = 2

2
2
2
j i A = =

2 + 2 =

Vector Potentials

The Wave Equation for A Time-Harmonic Fields

Look how nice this is:

2
A + A = J

2
2
+ =

Vector Potentials

Solution of the Inhomogeneous Vector Potential Wave Equation

2
A + A = J
2

1
Once A is known: H = A

E = j A

j
E =
i A j A
j

=
i A

or

1
H = j E + J E =
H
j
Vector Potentials

10

Recall:
d2y
dy
a2 2 + a1 + a0 y = f t = t
dt
dt

()

Point Source
at origin

( )( = 0, t > 0)

Region of
Solution
(Source Free)

Po e r
j t

( )(

Vector Potentials

= 0, r > 0

11

( x, y , z )

( x, y, z)
x

Consider as a source the limiting case of a point source current

density (z-directed) located at the origin.

J = a z J z
Vector Potentials

12

2
A + A = J

J = a z J z Ax = Ay = 0
2

2 Az + 2 Az = J z

For all points except the origin:

2 Az + 2 Az = 0
Since a point source must be independent of angle,
Az = Az r

()

2 Az + 2 Az = 0

()

1 2 Az r
2 r
+ 2 Az = 0
r
r r
d 2 Az r 2 dAz r
2

+
+

Az = 0
2
r dr
dr
Vector Potentials

()

()

13

Solutions are known:

d 2 Az ( r )
dr 2

2 dAz ( r )
+
+ 2 Az = 0
r dr

e j r
e+ j r
Az ( r ) = C1
+ C2
r
r

Since

e+ j r

Represents an inward traveling radial wave, the source a the

origin requires that
C2 0
Vector Potentials

14

e j r
Az ( r ) = C1
r
For the static case:

=0 =0
C1
Az ( r ) =
r
Which is the solution to Poissons Equation (the wave equation
with no time variation):

2 Az = J z
Vector Potentials

15

For this static case, it is reminiscent of a charge density at the

origin, satisfying (from electrostatics):
2 =

With solution
1
=
4

dv

r
V

Thus

Az = J z Az =
4
2

Vector Potentials

Jz
dv

r
V
16

By analogy to the static case, for 0

2
2
Az + Az = J z Az =
4

e j r
Jz
dv

r
V

r= r

Vector Potentials

17

If the current density had x and y components as well then:

Ax =
4

e j r
Jx
dv

r
V

Ay =
4

e j r
Jy
dv

r
V

Az =
4

e j r
Jz
dv

r
V

A=
4

e j r
J
dv

r
V
Vector Potentials

18

If the source is moved from the origin

and place at coordinates ( x, y, z ) :

( x, y, z)

r r

A=
4

( x, y , z )

e j R
J ( x , y , z )
dv

R
V

R = R = r r

x
Vector Potentials

19

For filamentary currents:

A=
4

e j R
C I e ( x, y, z ) R d

Vector Potentials

20

Example: A very short linear current element. (An Infinitesimal

Dipole)

I e ( x , y , z ) = a z I e
I e a constant

( x, y , z )

Vector Potentials

21

An Infinitesimal Dipole

I e ( x , y , z ) = a z I e
I e a constant

A=
4

e j R
C I e ( x, y, z ) R d

since 0, R r ( r = 0 )

= a z
4

Ie
e j R
I e R dz = az 4

2
Vector Potentials

e j r
r dz

22

An Infinitesimal Dipole

Ie
A = a z
4

e j r
r dz

j r 2

Ie e
= a z
4 r

dz

I e j r
= a z
e
4 r

Vector Potentials

23

Rectangular to Spherical Conversion

Ar sin cos

A = cos cos
A sin

sin sin
cos sin

Ax sin cos

Ay = sin sin
A cos
z

cos cos

cos

cos sin
sin

Vector Potentials

cos Ax

sin Ay

0
A
z
sin Ar

cos A
0 A

24

An Infinitesimal Dipole
A sin cos
r

A = cos cos

sin
A

sin sin
cos sin
cos

cos 0

sin 0
Az
0

I e j r
Ar = cos Az = cos
e
4 r
I e j r
A = sin Az = sin
e
4 r
A = 0

Vector Potentials

25

An Infinitesimal Dipole

I e j r
I e j r
Ar = cos Az = cos
e , A = sin Az = sin
e
4 r
4 r

1
E=
H
j

1
H = A

A=

A sin
A a

a ( rA ) Ar
+

r r

ar
r sin

Vector Potentials

( )

1 A rA

r
sin

26

An Infinitesimal Dipole
a 1 ( rA ) Ar
1
H = A=

r r

I e j r
I e j r
r sin
e cos
e

a 1
4 r
4 r

r
r

j r

e
a
I e
I e ( cos ) j r
= sin
+
e
r
4 r
4 r

a
I e j r I e
j r
= j sin
e

sin e
r
4
4 r

a j r 1
I e

Vector
=
sin e
+ jPotentials

4
r
r

27

An Infinitesimal Dipole
I e

1 j r
H = j
sin 1+
e

4 r
j r

H r = H = 0

( )

a rH
1
1 ar H sin
E=
H =

j
j r sin

r r

H
H
1 ar H
cos
=
+ ar
H a
a

j r
r sin
r
r
H
H
1 ar H
cos
=
+ ar
H a
a

j r
r sin
r
r
H
H
1 ar H
cos
=
+ ar
H a
a

j r
r sin
r
r
Vector Potentials

28

An Infinitesimal Dipole

H
H
1 ar H
cos
E=
+ ar
H a
a

j r
r sin
r
r
I e

1 j r
H = j
sin 1+
e

4 r
j r

Vector Potentials

29

An Infinitesimal Dipole

ar I e

1 j r
j
sin 1+
e

j r

r 4 r

I e

j r
cos

1
+ ar

j
sin 1+
e

r sin 4 r
j r

E=

I e
1 j r

a j
sin 1+
e

r 4 r
j

1 I e
1 j r
sin 1+
e
+ 0 i a
a j

r 4 r
j r

Vector Potentials

30

An Infinitesimal Dipole
cos
1 I e j r
Er =
1+
e
2

j r 4 r
cos
1 I e j r
=
1+
e
2

j r 4 r
=

1 I e j r
cos 1+
e
2

j r 4 r

1 I e j r
= cos 1+
e
2

j r 4 r

Vector Potentials

31

An Infinitesimal Dipole
1
1 I e
1 j r 1
1 j r
E =
sin +
e + 2 1+
e

2
4
j r
r
r r j r

1
1 j r
1
j r 1
e
+e
+
+
2
2

r r j r
r j r r
1 I e

=
sin
1

4
1 j r
+ 2 1+

j r
r

1
1 1
2
2 +
j +
2
3
r j r r
j r j r
I e

=
sin
e
1

4
1
+ 2 1+

j r
r

Vector Potentials

32

An Infinitesimal Dipole

1
1 1
2
2 +
j +
2
3
r j r r
j r j r
I e

E =
sin
e
1

4
1
+ 2 1+

j r
r

1
I e
1
1 j r
=
sin j +

e
2
3
4
r j r j r

I e
1
1
1 j r
= j
sin +
2 3 e
2
4
r
r j r

I e

1
1 j r
= j
sin 1+
2 2 e
4 r
j r r

Vector Potentials

33

An Infinitesimal Dipole

1 I e j r
Er = cos 1+
e
2

j r 4 r

I e

1
1 j r
E = j
sin 1+
2 2 e
4 r
j r r

E = 0

I e

1 j r
H = j
sin 1+
e

4 r
j r

H r = H = 0
Valid everywhere except on the current element.
Vector Potentials

34

What have we learned?

The fields produced by finite antennas are spherical waves, i.e.,
they contain the radial factor

j r

Also, the fields decay by a factor of

1
, n = 1, 2, 3,
n
r
The general form for the potential in spherical coordinates is

A = ar Ar ( r, , ) + a A ( r, , ) + a A ( r, , )
Vector Potentials

35

What have we learned?

The potential may be written as

A = ar Ar ( r, , ) + a A ( r, , ) + a A ( r, , )
1
= e j r ar Ar ( , ) + a A ( , ) + a A ( , )

r
1
+ 2 e j r ar Ar ( , ) + a A ( , ) + a A ( , )

r
1 j r
r Ar ( , ) + a A ( , ) + a A ( , )
+ 3e
a

r
+
This type of r-separation will occur in all we do.
Vector Potentials

36

The Far Field

As r
1 j r
a A ( , ) + a A ( , ) + a A ( , )
A e


r r

1
E = j A j
i A

1 2
1
1 A
i A= 2
r Ar +
sin A ) +
(
r sin
r sin
r r

1
1
= ar
+ a
+ a
r
r
r sin

Vector Potentials

37

 1 2
1
1 A
i A= 2
r Ar +
sin A ) +
(
r sin
r sin
r r
1 j r
a A ( , ) + a A ( , ) + a A ( , )
A e


r r

r
1 2 1 j r

1
1 j r

i A= 2
r e Ar ( , ) +
sin e A ( , )

r
r r r
r sin

1
1 j r
+
e A ( , )

r sin r

j r
1

j r

= 2 Ar ( , ) re + 2
r
r
r sin
e j r

+ 2
A

(
)

r sin
Vector Potentials

sin A ( , )

38

 j r
1

( , )

i A = 2 Ar ( , ) re + 2
sin

r
r
r sin
e j r

+ 2
A

(
)

r sin

( , )

j r

sin

1 j r
e
j r
=
Ar ( , ) e
+ 2

2
r
r sin

+ cos A ( , )

e j r A ( , )
+ 2

r sin

Vector Potentials

39


j r
1 j r
A ( , )
e

r
sin
i A=
Ar ( , ) e
+ 2
+ cos A ( , )

r2
r sin

e j r A ( , )
+ 2

r sin

1
1

i A = ar
+ a
+ a

i
A
r
r sin
r

j r
A ( , )
1
j

r
e

sin
Ar ( , ) e
+ 2
+ cos A ( , )
2

r sin

r

= ar
r

e j r A ( , )

+ 2

r sin

j r
A ( , )
1 j r A ( , ) e j r + e

sin
+ cos A ( , )
r
2
2

r sin

1 r

+ a

e j r A ( , )

+ 2

r sin

j r
A ( , )
1 j r A ( , ) e j r + e
sin
+ cos A ( , )
r
2
2

r sin

1
r

+ a

r sin

e j r A ( , )

+ 2

r sin

Vector Potentials

40

A e j r
A
1 j r j r

i A = ar Ar
e + sin
+ cos A +

2
2
r

r
r

A
A
1 1 j r j r Ar e j r 1

+ a
e
+ 2
sin
+ cos A +
2
r r

r sin

2 A
A A
1 1 j r Ar j r
e j r

+ a
e
+ 2
sin
+ cos
+

2
2
r sin r

r sin

Vector Potentials

41

A j r 2 + 2r
A
1 j r j r 2 1+ j2 r 2
j r

i A = ar e
+
+ cos A +
Ar j
sin

2
4
4

r
r
r

A
A
1 1 j r j r Ar e j r 1

+ a
e
+ 2
sin
+ cos A +
r r2

r sin

2 A
A A
1 1 j r Ar j r
e j r

+ a
e
+ 2
sin
+ cos
+

2
2
r sin r

r sin

A j r 2 + 2r
A
1 j r 1 j r 2
j r

i A = ar e

+ cos A +
Ar j
sin

2
4
4

r
r
r

A
A
1 1 j r j r Ar e j r 1

+ a
e
+ 2
sin
+ cos A +
r r2

r sin

2 A
A A
1 1 j r Ar j r
e j r

+ a
e
+ 2
sin
+ cos
+

2
2
r sin r

r sin

Vector Potentials

42

2
j r 2 + 2r

A
1
j

r
1
j

i A = ar e j r Ar j

+ cos A +
sin

2
4
4

r
r
r

A
A
1 1 j r j r Ar e j r 1

+ a
e
+ 2
sin
+ cos A +
2
r r

r sin

2 A
A A
1 1 j r Ar j r
e j r

+ a
e
+ 2
sin
+ cos
+

2
2
r sin r

r sin

As r

2 j r
i A = ar
e Ar
r

Vector Potentials

43

The Far Field

As r
1 j r
a A ( , ) + a A ( , ) + a A ( , )
A e


r r

1
2 j r
E = j A j
i A , i A = ar
e Ar

r
2

j r
1

j r

r Ar + a A + a A + j
r
E=j e
a
a
e
A
r

j r
j r

E=j e
ar Ar + a A + a A + jar e Ar

r
r

j r
E=j e
ar Ar Ar + a A + a A

j r
A + a A
E=j e
a

Vector Potentials

44

The Far Field

1
H = A

1 j r
a A ( , ) + a A ( , ) + a A ( , )
A e


r r

A a 1 Ar rA
ar A sin

+
A=

r sin

r sin
r

a ( rA ) Ar
+

r r

( )

Vector Potentials

45

The Far Field

sin A

ar e

A a

A= 2

r
r sin

j r
j r

a A e

A
e
r
+

r
r
r

r
j r

j r
j r

e
A

a
a

A = A
+
r
r
r
r
e j r
= j
a A a A
r

j r
1 e j r A

e
r

A
r
sin r

Vector Potentials

46

The Far Field

r

1
H = A

(
)
( a A a A )

e j r
=j
a A a A
r
e j r
=j
r

= , =

Vector Potentials

47

The Far Field

r
e j r
a A ( , ) + a A ( , ) + a A ( , )
A

r r r

e j r
E = j
a A + a A
r

e j r
H =j
a A a A
r

(
(

Er 0
E j A
E j A

)
)

H j A =

H + j A = +

Hr 0

Vector Potentials

A pair of plane waves

traveling in the r direction

48

For the Far Field

E = j A

H = ar E = j ar A

Vector Potentials

49