Fourier transform of Maxwell's equations

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on the Fourier transform of Maxwell's equations, particularly in the context of transforming them into reciprocal or momentum space. Participants mention the difficulty of accessing Google in China and suggest alternative resources, including a specific PDF article. The key equations from Maxwell's equations are presented, highlighting the transition to Fourier space where spatial derivatives are replaced by momentum variables. The conversation concludes with a request for recommendations on textbooks that cover this topic in depth. This exchange emphasizes the importance of understanding the Fourier transform in the study of electromagnetic theory.
thaiqi
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Hello, I am unfamiliar with Maxwell's equations' Fourier transform. Are there any materials talking about it?
 
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Sorry, I am in China and cannot visit google. Besides, I don't mean solving equations using Fourier transform, but the Maxwell's equations in reciprocal(momentum) space. Better some textbooks treat it.
 
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Can you visit

http://people.reed.edu/~wieting/essays/FourierMaxwell.pdf
 
thaiqi said:
Sorry, I am in China and cannot visit google.
Oh, I forgot that was a thing. That would make things difficult indeed.
 
BvU said:
Can you visit

http://people.reed.edu/~wieting/essays/FourierMaxwell.pdf
Thanks. I don't follow what this article said well. The books talk about it as below:
fourier1.png
fourier2.png
 
Well, ok. What the book obviously does is to write the Maxwell equations,
$$\vec{\nabla} \cdot \vec{E}=\rho/\epsilon_0, \quad \vec{\nabla} \cdot \vec{B}=0, \quad \vec{\nabla} \times \vec{E}=-\dot{\vec{B}}, \quad \vec{\nabla} \times \vec{B}=\frac{1}{c^2} \dot{\vec{E}} + \mu_0 \vec{j}.$$
Note that in the somwhat confusing SI units ##c^2=1/(\epsilon_0 \mu_0)##.

Now they go to Fourier space wrt. to the spatial argument, i.e., they write
$$\vec{E}(t,\vec{x})=\int_{\mathbb{R}^3} \mathrm{d}^3 k \frac{1}{(2 \pi)^3} \exp(\mathrm{i} \vec{x} \cdot \vec{k}) \vec{\mathcal{E}}(t,\vec{k})$$
and analogously for all the other fields involved.

Then any spatial derivative is simply substituted by ##\vec{\nabla} \rightarrow \mathrm{i} \vec{k}##. Then immideately get the equations you copied from the textbook.
 
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vanhees71 said:
Well, ok. What the book obviously does is to write the Maxwell equations,
$$\vec{\nabla} \cdot \vec{E}=\rho/\epsilon_0, \quad \vec{\nabla} \cdot \vec{B}=0, \quad \vec{\nabla} \times \vec{E}=-\dot{\vec{B}}, \quad \vec{\nabla} \times \vec{B}=\frac{1}{c^2} \dot{\vec{E}} + \mu_0 \vec{j}.$$
Note that in the somwhat confusing SI units ##c^2=1/(\epsilon_0 \mu_0)##.

Now they go to Fourier space wrt. to the spatial argument, i.e., they write
$$\vec{E}(t,\vec{x})=\int_{\mathbb{R}^3} \mathrm{d}^3 k \frac{1}{(2 \pi)^3} \exp(\mathrm{i} \vec{x} \cdot \vec{k}) \vec{\mathcal{E}}(t,\vec{k})$$
and analogously for all the other fields involved.

Then any spatial derivative is simply substituted by ##\vec{\nabla} \rightarrow \mathrm{i} \vec{k}##. Then immideately get the equations you copied from the textbook.
Thanks. This is what I need. Is it discussed in any books?
 
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