Exact spherical wave solutions to Maxwell's equations with applications
Electromagnetic radiation from bounded sources represent an important class of physical problems that can be solved for exactly. However, available texts on this subject almost always resort to approximate solution techniques that not only obscure the essential features of the problem but also restrict application to limited ranges of observation. This dissertation presents exact solutions for this important class of problems and demonstrates how these solutions can be applied to situations of genuine physical interest, in particular, the design of device structures with prespecified emission characteristics. The strategy employed is to solve Maxwell's equations in the spherical coordinate system. In this system, fundamental parameters such as electric and magnetic multipole moments fall out quite naturally. Expressions for radiated power, force, and torque assume especially illuminating and simple forms when expressed in terms of these multipole moments. All solutions are derived ab initio using first-principles arguments exclusively. Two operator-equations that received particularly detailed treatment are the vector Helmholtz equation for the time-independent potential [rvec a] and the [open quotes]convariant divergence[close quotes] equation for the energy-momentum-stress sensor T[sup [mu][nu]]. An application of classical formulas, as modified by the requirements of statistical mechanics, to the case of heated blackbodies leads to inquiries into the foundations of quantum mechanics and their relation to classical field theory. An application of formulas to various emission structures (spherically-shaped antennas, surface diffraction gratings, collimated beams) provides a basis upon which to characterize these structures in an exact sense, and, ultimately, to elicit clues as to their optimum design.
- Research Organization:
- Oregon Graduate Inst. of Science and Technology, Beaverton, OR (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 7271891
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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