Uniform Plane Waves

Abstract

The concept of uniform plane waves is important for electromagnetic wave propagation, scattering, and radiation. Uniform plane waves are composed of electric and magnetic field vectors whose directions are perpendicular to the wave propagation direction. Although the uniform plane wave is a very idealized case, it can adequately model many practical situations in wireless communications, radars, etc. For example, fields impinging on receiving antennas that are far away from transmitting antennas are practically uniform plane waves. In Chapter 6, we will study two important cases: uniform plane wave propagation in unbounded media and uniform plane wave reflection at plane boundaries. Helmholtz’s equations will be used for wave analysis throughout Chapter 6.