Power Loss Definition in a Damped Wave Equation (Skin Depth Problem}

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating power loss in electromagnetic (E-M) waves using the damped wave equation, specifically for a good conductor where the conductivity (σ) is much greater than the product of angular frequency (ω) and permittivity (ε). The key equation derived is the one-dimensional spatial solution: E = E₀ exp(-((1 + j)z)/s), with s defined as √(2/(ωσμ)). The maximum allowable power loss is set at 60 dB, leading to the relationship -60 dB = 20 log₁₀(|Eₛₑₐ/Eₒ|). The final correct expression for the distance z is z = s ln(10³), after evaluating the modulus of the exponential correctly.

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  • Understanding of the damped wave equation in electromagnetism
  • Familiarity with complex numbers and their modulus
  • Knowledge of decibel (dB) calculations and logarithmic relationships
  • Basic principles of electromagnetic wave propagation in conductors
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  • Study the derivation and application of the damped wave equation in electromagnetic theory
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Researchers, physicists, and engineers working in electromagnetism, particularly those focusing on wave propagation in conductive materials and power loss calculations.

Master1022
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Homework Statement
Find the maximum depth of a submarine below the surface of the sea which enables it to detect electromagnetic signals launched from the surface? (all the numbers given)
Relevant Equations
Damped Wave Equation
Definition of skin depth
Hi,

So the main question is: How to deal with power loss in E-M waves numerically when we are given power loss in dB's?

The context is that we are dealing with the damped wave equation: \nabla ^ 2 \vec E = \mu \sigma \frac{\partial \vec E}{\partial t} + \mu \epsilon \frac{\partial ^ 2 \vec E}{\partial t^2}. The problem is assuming a good conductor \left( \sigma >> \omega \epsilon \right) and thus we get that the one-dimensional spatial solution is:
\vec E = \vec E_0 \exp \left( - \frac{(1 + j)z}{s} \right) where s = \sqrt \frac{2}{\omega \sigma \mu}.

The data is given for all these constants, but am not concerned about that aspect of this problem. We are told that the maximum allowable power loss is 60 dB.

Here is my attempt to start the problem, and I was wondering whether I was starting the problem off correctly?
-60 dB = 10 \log_{10} \left( \frac{P_{sea}}{P_0} \right) However, we know that P_{EM} \propto | \vec E | ^2 and thus we can write that -60 dB = 20 \log_{10} \left( | \frac{E_{sea}}{E_{o}} | \right). Therefore, we have that 10^{-3} = | \exp \left( - \frac{(1 + j)z}{s} | \right).

This is where I am slightly confused on how to proceed - I am not fully sure how to evaluate this expression. If I just momentarily ignore the absolute value signs, then I get: \ln \left( 10^{3} \right)s = |1 + j|z. I feel as if I have cheated to get to this step. Anyways, that will lead me to the solution: z = \frac{\ln \left( 10^{3} \right)s}{\sqrt 2}.

When I substitute the numbers in, then I get the incorrect answer for some reason. I find that I need to have a 2 in the denominator rather than a \sqrt 2. Is my expression for the power loss in dB correct?

Thanks in advance for the help
 
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UPDATE: I realized that I didn't need to the 2 in the denominator to solve this problem and I need to evaluate the modulus of the exponential as follows:
| \exp \left( - \frac{(1 + j)z}{s} \right) | = | \exp \left( - \frac{z}{s} \right) | | \exp \left( - \frac{zj}{s} \right) |
Then the modulus of the complex exponential will be 1, so we can just consider the other exponent.

Therefore, we will get ln(10^3) = \frac{z}{s} and thus that leads to the correct answer z = s ln (10^3)
 

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