Skin effect of transmission line

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the skin effect in transmission lines, particularly focusing on parallel plate configurations with two conductors and a dielectric in between. Participants explore the implications of skin effect on current distribution and electromagnetic wave propagation within these structures.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes the skin effect in conductors, noting that the electric field (E) causes current density (J) to flow, which decreases with depth into the conductor.
  • Another participant expresses confusion regarding the relationship between Maxwell's equations and the skin effect, acknowledging that current penetrates into the metal rather than being confined to the surface.
  • A third participant references a textbook and discusses the derivation of current density (J) in relation to surface charge density (ρ), questioning the omission of ρ's contribution in the context of transmission lines.
  • A request for further clarification or assistance is made by a participant seeking help in understanding these concepts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding regarding the skin effect and its implications in transmission lines, indicating that multiple competing views and uncertainties remain in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in their understanding of the mathematical relationships and physical principles involved, particularly concerning the roles of electric fields, surface currents, and charge densities in the context of transmission lines.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying electromagnetic theory, transmission line theory, or anyone looking to deepen their understanding of the skin effect in conductive materials.

yungman
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I have to thinking about how the skin effect come into play in transmission lines with two conductors and dielectric in the middle.

For normal skin effect, we consider a potential across a conductor as shown:

wri13o.jpg


Where the tangential E right above and right below the surface at z=0, are equal. The E will cause J0 to flow as show in orange arrows. The J decrease as it goes deeper into the +z direction as E attenuates with depth.

But for a parallel plate transmission line as shown:

20glibt.jpg


As TEM wave travel from left to right, E is in y direction and H in x direction. Boundary condition produce Js as shown in purple color at the surface of the conductors by H, and ρ in red from E.

We know we need to consider skin effect in the two plates. How do I calculate the skin effect? The E is normal to the surface of the conductor, but current flow is parallel to the conductor plates. I have no question the E attenuate as it penetrates normal to the conductor plates, BUT the current flow is parallel to the plates.

Please help me understand this.

Thanks
 
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Also I don't understand all the Maxwell's eq talked about surface current and surface charge. But we know that there is skin effect that current do penetrates into the metal, not just on the surface.
 
The diagram of the parallel plate transmission line is a more detail drawing from Field and Wave Electromagnetics by David Cheng. The charge is from boundary condition \nabla \cdot \vec D = \rho_v and surface current from \nabla X\vec H=\vec J. But when comes to current derivation, the book only use the J component, there is no mention the contribution of the ρ from the E! How is the ρ plays in the transmission line that transform from EM wave to V and I?
 
Anyone please?
 

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