Solution by

Problem # 8.3 G. Nootz

Classical Electrodynamics
(third edition)

J. D. Jackson

A transmission line consists of two identical thin strips of metal , as shown in cross section in
the sketch. Assuming that a << b, discuss the propagation of a TEM mode on this line,
repeating the derivations of problem 8.2. Show that:

ab µ 2
P= H0
2 ε
1 ε
γ = y
aσδ µ b
µ a
Z0 =
ε  b 
a
2 x
R=
bσδ z
 µ a + µ cδ 
L= 
 b 

For TEM we write:

G
E ( x, y, z , t ) = Et ( x, y ) e −i(kz +ωt )
G

Moreover, since there are no free charges in the dielectric we can write:
G G G G
∇⋅E = 0 ⇒ E = −∇Φ
with:
G G G
∇ = ∇t + ∇ z
G G G G
−∇t Φ − ∇ z Φ = Et + Ez
N N
0 0

Because TEM modes have no longitudinal component

G G G G
ETEM = −∇t Φ or ∇t ⋅ ETEM = ∇t2 Φ = 0

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The transverse part of the Laplace equ. reads:

∂ 2 Φ ∂ 2Φ
∇ Φ= 2 + 2 =0
2

∂x ∂y
t

The symmetry of transmission line dose not support any electric component in the x direction
(BC: E& = 0 )
∂ 2Φ
=0 ⇒ Φ = c1 y + c2
∂y 2

From the scalar potential, we find ETEM

G G
ETEM = −∇t Φ = −c1 yˆ
With equation (8.28)
G G
( )
BTEM = ± µε zˆ × ETEM = B µε c1 ( zˆ × yˆ )
= B µε c1 xˆ
and:
ε
H TEM = B c1 xˆ
µ

The energy flow is described by the complex Pointing vector

G G*
S=
1
2
(E × H ) (8.47)

1 ε 2
= c1 zˆ
2 µ

The power transmitted by the transmission line is:

G G 1 ε b a
P = ∫ Sda = c1 ∫ dx ∫ dy
2

A
2 µ 0 0

ab ε 2
= c1
2 µ

With H0 being the HTEM (independent of space)

ab µ 2
P= H0
2 ε

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The attenuation as the power is transmitted along the line, can be calculated using equation
(8.58)

dP 1 G2
dz 2σδ v∫ c
− = ˆ
n × H dl
2b
1
H 0 ∫ dx
2
=
2σδ 0

b 2
= H0
σδ
dP 1 dP
= −2γ P ( z ) ⇒ γ =−
dz 2 P ( z ) dz

1 ε
γ=
aσδ µ

The characteristic impedance Z0 of the line is defined as the ratio of the voltage between the
strips and the current flowing in one of them.

The voltage drop between the strips is:

a a
G
V = ∫ Edyˆ = ∫ c1dy = ac1
0 0

According to Ampere's low:

G
v∫ Hdl =I
The current in the one of the strips is:

b
I = H 0 ∫ dx = H 0b
0

µ a
Z0 =
ε  b 

dP 1 2
using: = RI
dz 2
2 dP 2 dP  b 2
we find: R=− 2 =− 2 2  − σδ H 0 
I dz H 0 b dz  

2
R=
σδ b

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 1 G G
2 ∫
From equation (5.157): L= B ⋅Bd 3 x
µI V
1 G G 3
µ V∫
where W = B ⋅Bd x is the energy stored in the magnetic field

The energy in between the strips Wgap:

G G G2
Wgap = µ ∫ H ⋅H * d 3 x = µ H ab
V
and the energy in the lower strip:
G ξ G ξ G 2 −2ξ δ
Wstrip = µc ∫ He− δ ⋅H *e − δ d 3 x = µc H ∫e d 3x
V V

where we have taken care of the fact that the fields are attenuated inside the conductor

G 2 ∞ −2ξ 3 G2 δ
Wstrip = µc H b ∫ e δ d ξ = µc H b
0 2
the inductance then is:

{ }
G2 G2
L=
1
I2
{Wgap + 2Wstrip } = G
1
2
µ H ab + µ c H bδ
H b2

 µ a + µ cδ 
L= 
 b 

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