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Modeling of the electrostatic field generated by horizontal current sources in a sea-ice-covered four-layer medium
Xueyao Chen1, Zhaolong Sun1, Chaoli Jiang1
1Naval University of Engineering, Wuhan, 430033, China.
Scientific Reports
|July 23, 2026
Summary
This study presents an analytical model for underwater electric fields in sea ice environments. The model accurately predicts electric field distribution, validating its use for marine target detection.
Area of Science:
- Oceanography
- Electromagnetism
- Geophysics
Background:
- Understanding underwater electric fields is vital for marine target detection and localization.
- Stratified media, particularly sea ice, complicate electric field propagation analysis.
- Existing models often lack comprehensive treatment of sea ice effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a four-layer analytical model for electric field distribution in sea ice-covered marine environments.
- To provide a theoretical foundation for underwater target detection in challenging electromagnetic conditions.
- To assess the accuracy of the analytical model against experimental data.
Main Methods:
- Formulated a four-layer model (air-sea ice-seawater-seabed) based on the Laplace equation.
- Utilized the repeated image method to derive analytical solutions for electric field intensity.
- Developed a numerical model using the finite volume method (FVM) for comparison.
- Conducted a scaled-down experiment to validate the analytical solutions.
Main Results:
- An analytical solution for electric field intensity in the seawater layer was derived.
- Numerical and analytical solutions showed good agreement under idealized conditions.
- Experimental results demonstrated a relative error between 1.17% and 11.28% compared to the analytical model.
- The model's effectiveness and applicability in realistic environments were validated.
Conclusions:
- The proposed four-layer analytical model accurately describes underwater electric field distribution in sea ice environments.
- The model provides a reliable theoretical and technical basis for detecting underwater targets.
- This research enhances capabilities for marine electromagnetic sensing in polar regions.
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