EM Wave Boundary Layer Question

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the transition of electromagnetic waves from air into a conductive medium, specifically addressing the instantaneous change in wavelength as described by Snell's law. It highlights that while the wavelength changes at the interface, there is no significant transition region due to the small scale of the boundary transition at typical wavelengths. The conversation also notes that in conductive media, waves experience attenuation over a finite distance, influenced by frequency, permeability, and conductivity. The participants express interest in understanding any near-field effects similar to those observed in antennas, particularly given the large wavelengths involved.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Snell's Law in optics
  • Knowledge of electromagnetic wave behavior in different media
  • Familiarity with concepts of wave attenuation in conductive materials
  • Basic principles of near-field and far-field effects in antennas
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the effects of electromagnetic wave propagation in conductive media
  • Study the principles of wave attenuation and its dependence on frequency and conductivity
  • Explore resources on near-field effects in antenna theory
  • Investigate the mathematical modeling of boundary layers in electromagnetic theory
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physicists, electrical engineers, and researchers interested in electromagnetic wave behavior, particularly in applications involving conductive materials and antenna design.

DJungquist
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I understand application of Snell's law for transition from one medium to another but I have a question regarding this model. When an electromagnetic wave transitions from air into a conductive medium does the wavelength change instantaneously as the theory seems to imply or is there a boundary layer which is ignored because at usual wavelengths the boundary transition is so small it doesn't matter?

The case I am interested in is a low frequency wave which has a wavelength of 3000 km into a medium that reduces the wavelength to 158 m. So is there a transition region? If so, can someone point me to a resource that discusses the behavior in the boundary layer as the wavelength changes.
 
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The wav length changes at the interface wilth no transition region.
If it is a conductive medium, the wave will attenuate in a finite distance.
 
Meir Achuz said:
The wav length changes at the interface wilth no transition region.
If it is a conductive medium, the wave will attenuate in a finite distance.

I understand the attenuation will be a function of frequency, permeability and conductivity. I was just wondering if there was something similar to a near field effect on an antenna where in the first wavelength you get some interesting physics. Given the wavelengths involved if there was a near field like effect it would be over a fairly large boundary.
 

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