Modeling of Electromagnetic Radiation using a Dual Four-Potential Representation: From Dipole Blade Radiators to Ribbon Loop-like Antennas

Abstract

In this paper, we explore classical electromagnetic radiation using a dual four-dimensional potential $\Theta^\mu$ approach. Our focus is on the Planar Dipole Blade Antenna (PDBA), a system consisting of two flat conductive regions on the $xy$-plane, separated by a gap $\mathcal{G}$, with alternating potentials applied to the conductors. This method emphasizes the use of the scalar magnetic potential $\Psi(\boldsymbol{r},t)$ and the electric vector potential $\boldsymbol{\Theta}$, which generates the electric field $\boldsymbol{E}(\boldsymbol{r},t)=\nabla\times\boldsymbol{\Theta}(\boldsymbol{r},t)$ in free space. These potentials replace the standard magnetic vector potential $\boldsymbol{A}$ and the scalar electric potential $\boldsymbol{\Phi}$ in our analysis. For harmonic radiation, the electromagnetic field can be expressed in terms of the electric vector potential $\boldsymbol{\Theta}(\boldsymbol{r},t)$. We derive a corresponding retarded vector potential for $\boldsymbol{\Theta}$ in terms of a two-dimensional vector field $\boldsymbol{\mathcal{W}}(\boldsymbol{r},t)$, which flows through the gap region $\mathcal{G}$. This dual analytical approach yields mathematically equivalent expressions for modeling Planar Blade Antennas, analogous to those used for ribbons in the region $\mathcal{G}$, simplifying the mathematical problem. In the gapless limit, this approach reduces the two-dimensional radiator (PDBA) to a one-dimensional wire-loop-like antenna, significantly simplifying the problem's dimensionality. This leads to a dual version of Jefimenko's equations for the electric field, where $\boldsymbol{\mathcal{W}}$ behaves like a surface current in the gap region and satisfies a continuity condition. To demonstrate the utility of this approach, we provide an analytical solution for a PDBA with a thin annular gap at low frequency.