Propagation of Radio and Microwave Frequency Electromagnetic Pulses in Dielectric and Magnetic Dispersive Media

Analysis of the propagation and attenuation of electromagnetic (EM) waves and of the dispersive properties of the dielectric permittivity and of the magnetic permeability of a propagating medium deals with the concept of signal velocity in electromagnetism, specially to differentiate free-space light velocity from phase velocity in a given medium. The analysis is important for several technical applications, which employ EM energy in the radio frequency and microwave bands, such as: ground probe radar, material science, and bioelectromagnetism. This paper investigates the propagation of a sine wave pulse lasting one period within those frequency bands, to describe and quantify the behavior of primary signals in dispersive media relying on Lorentz models. The results show that a careful analysis allows to identify dielectric and magnetic dispersive media and to distinguish them from hypothetical nondispersive conductive media. So, it will help to separate primary fields from the scattered field components in actual surveys, what will improve interpretation. Therefore, it may increase the accuracy of the determination of the physical properties of the investigated medium.