Dipole radiation in a conducting half space

Abstract

The proble m of co mmunication between antennas, submerged in a conducting m edium such as sea water, is analyzed in terms of a dipole radiating in a conducting half space sepa-rated by a plane boundary from a dielectric half space. The theory is discussed for both horizontal and vertical, electric an d magnetic dipoles. Expressions for t he H ertzia n potentials of t he dipole in t h e conducting half space can be reduced to integrals obtained by Sommerfeld (fo r a dipole at t he boundary) multiplied by an exponentia l d ep t h atten uation factor. The H ertzian potentials are used to d etermine t he electric a nd magnetic fi eld components. This a nalysis shows t hat the main p ath of com munication between submerged anten nas is co mposed of t hree p ar ts as follows: (a) energy flow from t he t rans mitting dipole directly to t he s urface of t he sea, (b) creation of a wave t hat travels a long the s urface refracting back into the sea, (c) energy flow normal to t he s urface to the r eceiving dipole.