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Related Concept Videos

Electromagnetic Waves01:30

Electromagnetic Waves

James Clerk Maxwell formulated a single theory combining all the electric and magnetic effects scientists knew during that time, calling the phenomena his theory predicted “Electromagnetic waves”. He brought together all the work that had been done by brilliant physicists such as Oersted, Coulomb, Gauss, and Faraday and added his own insights to develop the overarching theory of electromagnetism. Maxwell’s equations, combined with the Lorentz force law, encompass all the laws of electricity and...
Plane Electromagnetic Waves I01:30

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The existence of combined electric and magnetic fields that propagate through space as electromagnetic (EM) waves is the most significant prediction of Maxwell's equations. As Maxwell's equations hold in free space, the predicted electromagnetic waves do not require a medium for their propagation. An EM wave comprises an electric field, defined as the force per charge on a stationary charge, and a magnetic field, which is the force per charge on a moving charge.
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Standing Electromagnetic Waves01:15

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Electromagnetic waves can be reflected; the surface of a conductor or a dielectric can act as a reflector. As electric and magnetic fields obey the superposition principle, so do electromagnetic waves. The superposition of an incident wave and a reflected electromagnetic wave produces a standing wave analogous to the standing waves created on a stretched string.
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Electrochemical Etching and Characterization of Sharp Field Emission Points for Electron Impact Ionization
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Do evanescent waves contribute to the far field?

E Wolf, J T Foley

    Optics Letters
    |December 18, 2007
    PubMed
    Summary

    Evanescent waves, crucial in near-field optics, do not physically contribute to source radiation fields or scatterer far fields, despite recent claims. This study clarifies their limited physical consequences.

    Area of Science:

    • Optics and Photonics
    • Electromagnetism
    • Near-field phenomena

    Background:

    • Evanescent waves are of significant interest due to advances in near-field optics.
    • Previous claims suggested evanescent waves contribute to radiation fields of sources and far fields of scatterers.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate and clarify the physical contribution of evanescent waves to radiation and far fields.
    • To address and correct misleading claims regarding evanescent wave influence in optics.

    Main Methods:

    • Analysis of a spherical scalar wave.
    • Examination of a linear electric dipole field.
    • Theoretical evaluation of wave field contributions.

    Main Results:

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    • Evanescent wave contributions to source radiation fields are shown to be misleading.
    • Evanescent wave contributions to scatterer far fields are demonstrated to be without physical consequence.
    • The findings are applicable to a wide range of electromagnetic fields.

    Conclusions:

    • Evanescent waves do not physically impact the radiation fields of sources or the far fields of scatterers.
    • The physical consequences of evanescent wave contributions are negligible.
    • This work provides a foundational understanding for near-field optics and electromagnetism.