Why is the expression for sheet resistance given without demonstration?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the expression for sheet resistance of a uniform conductor, particularly its derivation and the discrepancies observed between different approaches to calculating it. Participants explore theoretical aspects, mathematical reasoning, and the implications of different models related to power dissipation and impedance.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Emily presents an expression for sheet resistance and seeks clarification on its derivation, noting it is provided without demonstration.
  • Another participant elaborates on the current density across a section of the conductor and attempts to derive sheet resistance through integration, but finds a more complex expression than Emily's.
  • Jason suggests that the expression may relate to power dissipation as per Poynting's theorem, proposing an integral approach to derive it, but notes a discrepancy with an extra factor in the exponent.
  • A further suggestion is made to express the electric field in terms of the magnetic field to potentially simplify the analysis, especially under specific boundary conditions.
  • Emily computes sheet resistance from the power approach and finds a different expression, questioning why it differs from the impedance-derived sheet resistance.
  • Emily observes that both derived expressions exhibit similar asymptotic behavior under certain limits, prompting further inquiry into why this is the case.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the derivation of sheet resistance, with no consensus reached on a single correct approach. Multiple competing models and interpretations remain under discussion.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in the derivations, including assumptions about uniformity, boundary conditions, and the dependence on specific definitions of parameters like penetration depth and conductivity.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in the theoretical underpinnings of electrical properties in conductors, particularly those studying electromagnetic theory, materials science, or electrical engineering may find this discussion relevant.

EmilyRuck
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Hello!
I have in my notes an expression for the sheet resistance of a uniform conductor with length [itex]L[/itex], width [itex]W = L[/itex] and thickness [itex]t[/itex]. It is

[itex]R_{\square} = \displaystyle \frac{\sqrt{\displaystyle \frac{\pi f \mu}{\sigma}}}{1 - e^{-t/\delta}} = \displaystyle \frac{1}{\sigma \delta} \frac{1}{1 - e^{-t/\delta}}[/itex]

where [itex]f[/itex] is the frequency of the signal, [itex]\mu[/itex] is the magnetic permeability, [itex]\sigma[/itex] is conductivity of the conductor and [itex]\delta[/itex] is its penetration depth.

This is given without any demonstration and it seems a standard expression. Do you know it or something similar? How can it be obtained?
If you don't have an answer, but you have some links or reference books, they will be useful as well!
Thank you anyway,

Emily
 
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I will try to add some details, hoping that it will be useful.

Suppose that the thickness is along the [itex]x[/itex] direction and the width is along [itex]y[/itex]. The current density across a section can be expressed as

[itex]J(x) = J_0 e^{-(1 + j)x/\delta}[/itex]

so it is supposed to be uniform along [itex]y[/itex].
The sheet resistance or [itex]R_{\square}[/itex] should be obtained through the total current flowing through a section of the conductor and the voltage across a length [itex]L[/itex]:

[itex]I = \displaystyle \int_{0}^{W = L} \int_{0}^{t} J(x)dxdy = L \int_{0}^{t} J(x)dx = - L J_0 \frac{\delta}{1 + j} \left[ e^{-(1 + j)t/\delta} - 1 \right][/itex]

Knowing that [itex]J_0 = - \sigma E_0[/itex] and that [itex]E_0 = V_0 / L[/itex] we have

[itex]I = \sigma V_0 \frac{\delta}{1 + j} \left[ 1 - e^{-(1 + j)t/\delta} \right][/itex]

The impedance is

[itex]Z = \displaystyle \frac{V_0}{I} = \frac{1 + j}{\sigma \delta \left[ 1 - e^{-(1 + j)t/\delta} \right]}[/itex]

The [itex]R_{\square}[/itex] must be the real part of [itex]Z[/itex].

Even noting that

[itex]\frac{1}{\sigma \delta} = \sqrt{\displaystyle \frac{\pi f \mu}{\sigma}}[/itex]

the real part of [itex]Z[/itex] does not coincide with the [itex]R_{\square}[/itex] of the original post. It is a more complicated expression.
 
Emily,

My hunch is that this is defined in terms of power dissipation. From Poynting's theorem, the power dissipated would be
[tex] P = \frac{1}{2} \Re \int dv \, \mathbf{E}\cdot\mathbf{J}^\ast[/tex]
For power per unit area you would only integrate along your x direction. Using
[tex] E(x) = E_0 e^{-(1 + j)x/\delta}[/tex]
[tex] J(x) = \sigma E_0 e^{-(1 + j)x/\delta}[/tex]
doing the integral and setting that expression equal to [itex]E_0^2/2 R[/itex] may get you the expression you want, but it will have an extra factor of 2 in the exponent when compared to your original formula.

jason
 
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Just one more thought. To apply such a concept it may make more sense to write [itex]E_0[/itex] in terms of [itex]H_0[/itex], then set the integral equal to [itex]|H_0|^2 R_{\square}[/itex]. I'm thinking this may be more practical since we usually use PEC boundary conditions on good conductors, then use the surface H to estimate the surface current and hence losses.
 
Thank you for your very useful observations.
I tried to compute [itex]R_{\square}[/itex] from the power, as you suggested: with [itex]L = W = 1[/itex]. The result, as you predicted, is

[itex]R_{\square} = \displaystyle \frac{2}{\sigma \delta (1 - e^{-2t/\delta})}[/itex]

It is definitely better than mine, even if not exactly what I expected.

A question: why the [itex]R_{\square}[/itex] obtained from power is different from the [itex]R_{\square}[/itex] obtained as [itex]\Re(Z)[/itex]? Should not they be equal?

The curious thing is that the asymptotical behaviour of both

[itex]R_{\square} = \displaystyle \frac{1}{\sigma \delta (1 - e^{-t/\delta})}[/itex] (1)

and

[itex]R_{\square} = \Re(Z) = \Re \left \{ \displaystyle \frac{1 + j}{\sigma \delta \left[ 1 - e^{-(1 + j)t/\delta} \right] } \right \}[/itex] (2)

is the same.

For [itex]t \ll \delta[/itex], that is [itex]\omega \to 0[/itex], (1) becomes

[itex]R_{\square} \simeq \displaystyle \frac{1}{\sigma \delta (1 - (1 - t/\delta))} = \frac{1}{\sigma t}[/itex]

and (2) is

[itex]R_{\square} = \Re \left \{ \displaystyle \frac{1 + j}{\sigma \delta \left[ 1 - e^{-(1 + j)t/\delta} \right] } \right \} \simeq \Re \left \{ \displaystyle \frac{1 + j}{\sigma \delta \left[ 1 - (1 -(1 + j)t/\delta ) \right]} \right \} = \frac{1}{\sigma t}[/itex]

the same!

For [itex]t \gg \delta[/itex], that is [itex]\omega \to \infty[/itex], (1) becomes

[itex]R_{\square} \simeq \displaystyle \frac{1}{\sigma \delta}[/itex]

and (2) is

[itex]R_{\square} \simeq \Re \left \{ \displaystyle \frac{1 + j}{\sigma \delta } \right \} = \displaystyle \frac{1}{\sigma \delta}[/itex]

Again, the same.

This is the second doubt arousen: why is such a behaviour possible?P. S.
I didn't thought about [itex]H[/itex] field, but up to now I preferred to mantain the [itex]E[/itex]-point-of-view.
 

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