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Related Concept Videos

Plane Electromagnetic Waves I01:30

Plane Electromagnetic Waves I

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.
The EM field is assumed to be a...
Plane Electromagnetic Waves II01:29

Plane Electromagnetic Waves II

Consider a plane wavefront traveling in position x-direction with a constant speed. This wavefront can be utilized to obtain the relationship between electric and magnetic fields with the help of Faraday's law.
Standing Electromagnetic Waves01:15

Standing Electromagnetic Waves

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.
Suppose a sheet of a perfect conductor is placed in the yz-plane, and a linearly polarized electromagnetic wave traveling in the...
Electromagnetic Waves in Matter01:30

Electromagnetic Waves in Matter

Electromagnetic waves can travel in the vacuum as well as in matter. For example light, which is an electromagnetic wave, can travel through air, water, or glass.
Consider the electromagnetic wave passing through a dielectric medium. In such a case, Maxwell's equations get modified. In Ampere's law, ε0 , the dielectric permittivity of free space is replaced with ε, the permittivity of dielectric. Also, the vacuum permeability μ0 is replaced by the permeability of the medium, μ.
Furthermore, the...
Propagation Speed of Electromagnetic Waves01:30

Propagation Speed of Electromagnetic Waves

Electromagnetic waves are consistent with Ampere's law. Assuming there is no conduction current Ampere's law is given as:
Dual Nature of Electromagnetic (EM) Radiation01:10

Dual Nature of Electromagnetic (EM) Radiation

Electromagnetic (EM) radiation consists of electric and magnetic field components oscillating in planes perpendicular to each other and mutually perpendicular to radiation propagation through space. EM radiation can be classified as a wave, characterized by the properties of waves such as wavelength (denoted as λ) and frequency (represented by ν).
Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive peaks (the highest point) or troughs (the lowest point) in the wave. Frequency is the number of...

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Optimizing Magnetic Force Microscopy Resolution and Sensitivity to Visualize Nanoscale Magnetic Domains
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Negative electromagnetic plane-wave force in gain media.

Kevin J Webb1, Shivanand

  • 1School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA. webb@purdue.edu

Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics
|January 6, 2012
PubMed
Summary

A uniform electromagnetic plane wave can create a negative force on a gain medium. This phenomenon occurs without an electric field component in the medium

Area of Science:

  • Electromagnetism
  • Optics
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Electromagnetic waves interact with materials.
  • Materials with gain can amplify light.
  • Forces exerted by electromagnetic fields are typically positive.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the possibility of negative forces exerted by electromagnetic waves on gain media.
  • To provide a physical explanation for such forces.
  • To estimate the experimental feasibility and strength of this effect.

Main Methods:

  • Theoretical analysis of electromagnetic wave interaction with a homogeneous medium with gain.
  • Derivation of the force equation under specific conditions.
  • Estimation of force magnitude based on material properties and wave characteristics.

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Main Results:

  • A uniform electromagnetic plane wave can exert a negative force on a homogeneous medium with gain.
  • This negative force occurs when there is no component of the electric field in the direction of propagation.
  • A physical interpretation for this force is provided.

Conclusions:

  • Negative forces are possible in specific electromagnetic-gain medium interactions.
  • The findings offer new insights into light-matter interactions.
  • Experimental verification of this negative force is potentially achievable.