5.
EM Waves in Matter
Material response described by:
• Polarization P\mathbf{P}P
• Magnetization M\mathbf{M}M
Define:
D=ε0E+P\mathbf{D} = \varepsilon_0 \mathbf{E} + \mathbf{P}D=ε0E+P
H=1μ0B−M\mathbf{H} = \frac{1}{\mu_0}\mathbf{B} - \mathbf{M}H=μ01B−M
5.1 Constitutive Relations
Linear isotropic media:
D=εE\mathbf{D} = \varepsilon \mathbf{E}D=εE B=μH\mathbf{B} = \mu \mathbf{H}B=μH
5.2 Refractive Index
n=εrμrn = \sqrt{\varepsilon_r \mu_r}n=εrμr
Wave speed in medium:
v=cnv = \frac{c}{n}v=nc
6. Reflection and Refraction
Boundary conditions from Maxwell’s equations.
Snell’s Law
n1sinθ1=n2sinθ2n_1 \sin\theta_1 = n_2 \sin\theta_2n1sinθ1=n2sinθ2
Fresnel Equations
Determine reflected and transmitted intensities for:
• s-polarization
• p-polarization
7. Dispersion
Refractive index depends on frequency.
Phase velocity:
vp=ωkv_p = \frac{\omega}{k}vp=kω
Group velocity:
vg=dωdkv_g = \frac{d\omega}{dk}vg=dkdω
Normal dispersion: dn/dω>0dn/d\omega > 0dn/dω>0
8. Conducting Media
Maxwell equations with conductivity σ\sigmaσ:
Leads to skin effect.
Skin depth:
δ=2μσω\delta = \sqrt{\frac{2}{\mu \sigma \omega}}δ=μσω2
Fields decay exponentially inside conductors.
9. Radiation from Accelerated Charges
Accelerated charges radiate EM energy.
9.1 Larmor Formula (Non-relativistic)
P=q2a26πε0c3P = \frac{q^2 a^2}{6\pi \varepsilon_0 c^3}P=6πε0c3q2a2
9.2 Relativistic Generalization
P=q2γ66πε0c3(a2−(v×a)2c2)P = \frac{q^2 \gamma^6}{6\pi\varepsilon_0 c^3} \left(a^2 -
\frac{(\mathbf{v}\times\mathbf{a})^2}{c^2}\right)P=6πε0c3q2γ6(a2−c2(v×a)2)
10. Dipole Radiation
Oscillating dipole emits radiation.
Angular distribution:
dPdΩ∝sin2θ\frac{dP}{d\Omega} \propto \sin^2\thetadΩdP∝sin2θ
Total radiated power proportional to ω4\omega^4ω4.
11. Relativistic Formulation
EM field tensor:
Fμν=(0−Ex/c−Ey/c−Ez/cEx/c0−BzByEy/cBz0−BxEz/c−ByBx0)F^{\mu\nu} = \begin{pmatrix}
0 & -E_x/c & -E_y/c & -E_z/c \\ E_x/c & 0 & -B_z & B_y \\ E_y/c & B_z & 0 & -B_x \\ E_z/c
& -B_y & B_x & 0 \end{pmatrix}Fμν=0Ex/cEy/cEz/c−Ex/c0Bz−By−Ey/c−Bz0Bx−Ez/cBy−Bx
0
Maxwell equations become:
∂μFμν=μ0Jν\partial_\mu F^{\mu\nu} = \mu_0 J^\nu∂μFμν=μ0Jν
12. Liénard–Wiechert Potentials
Fields from a moving point charge.
Potentials depend on retarded time.
Important for radiation and synchrotron emission.
13. Classical Self-Force (Radiation Reaction)
Accelerating charges feel force from their own radiation.
Abraham–Lorentz force:
Frad=q26πε0c3a˙\mathbf{F}_{\text{rad}} = \frac{q^2}{6\pi\varepsilon_0 c^3}
\dot{\mathbf{a}}Frad=6πε0c3q2a˙
Leads to paradoxes (runaway solutions).
14. Summary Table
Concept Formula
Wave speed c=1/μ0ε0c=1/\sqrt{\mu_0\varepsilon_0}c=1/μ0ε0
Energy u=12(ε0E2+B2/μ0)u=\frac{1}{2}(\varepsilon_0E^2+B^2/\mu_0)u=21(ε0
density E2+B2/μ0)
Poynting
S=E×B/μ0\mathbf{S}=\mathbf{E}\times\mathbf{B}/\mu_0S=E×B/μ0
vector
Skin depth δ=2/μσω\delta=\sqrt{2/\mu\sigma\omega}δ=2/μσω
Larmor
P=q2a2/(6πε0c3)P=q^2a^2/(6\pi\varepsilon_0c^3)P=q2a2/(6πε0c3)
power
13. Classical Self-Force (Radiation Reaction)
Accelerating charges feel force from their own radiation.
Abraham–Lorentz force:
Frad=q26πε0c3a˙\mathbf{F}_{\text{rad}} = \frac{q^2}{6\pi\varepsilon_0 c^3}
\dot{\mathbf{a}}Frad=6πε0c3q2a˙
Leads to paradoxes (runaway solutions).
14. Summary Table
Concept Formula
Wave speed c=1/μ0ε0c=1/\sqrt{\mu_0\varepsilon_0}c=1/μ0ε0
Energy u=12(ε0E2+B2/μ0)u=\frac{1}{2}(\varepsilon_0E^2+B^2/\mu_0)u=21(ε0
density E2+B2/μ0)
Poynting
S=E×B/μ0\mathbf{S}=\mathbf{E}\times\mathbf{B}/\mu_0S=E×B/μ0
vector
Skin depth δ=2/μσω\delta=\sqrt{2/\mu\sigma\omega}δ=2/μσω
Concept Formula
Larmor
P=q2a2/(6πε0c3)P=q^2a^2/(6\pi\varepsilon_0c^3)P=q2a2/(6πε0c3)
power
