Theoretical/Academic books on EM/vector calculus - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: TheUnnamedNewbie
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2017, 02:05:53 pm
content: I don't know if I'm supposed to add this to the "Electronics primers, course material and books" thing or not. If so, let me know and I'll delete this and copy this there.I would like some good theoretical/academic book suggestions on EM theory and Vector Calculus. I have already done quite a bit of RF design, including microstrip filters (yes, the "black magic" type), amplifier circuits, etc. However, most of this can be done with transmission line theory and current/voltage waves - not Maxwells equations.I've been studying for an antennas course this semester and it's made me realize I know far to little vector calculus and EM theory. I'm soon starting a research project involving dielectric/polymer waveguides for MM-wave applications, so I would like to prepare myself with some reading on the topics to make sure I can present results that mean something by the end of the year.Books I already own that cover some EM stuff:David M. Pozar,Microwave Engineering, Fourth EditionJai-Sheng Hong,Microstrip Filters for RF/Microwave Applications, Second EditionJohn Volakis,Antenna Engineering HandbookConstantine A. Balanis,Modern Antenna HandbookTo be clear - I'm not looking for "practical" books in the genre of HAM radio oriented books or books along the lines of The Art of Electronics. I need deep, rigorous mathematical theory I can build on top of. Cost is not really an issue, the four books above should give you an idea.I'm looking for books that are good for someone in the field to up their vector calculus and EM theory - something I can study one day a week through the summer to get me going by september.Thanks in advance,TheUnnamedNewbie

author: jpb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2017, 07:30:22 pm
content: It is hard to recommend books because what works for one person doesn't for another.But quite a nice little book on the subject is "A Student's Guide to Maxwell's Equations" by Daniel Fleisch.http://www.danfleisch.com/maxwell/#Another couple of books which I have, but which are probably out of print, are"Fundamentals of Electromagnetic Field Theory" by Zaky and Hawley (this dates from 1974!)and"Transmission and propagation of electromagnetic waves" by K.F.Sander and G.A.L.Reed (1978 so not much newer)My general experience (in the field of semiconductor physics) is older books are often better because in the old days people didn't rely on computers so much so books actually gave the theory whilst modern books tend to assume that you'll use some EM simulator on a computer and are more software manuals and are rather dumbed down.

author: dmills
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2017, 10:27:34 pm
content: "Fields and waves in communications electronics"?

author: MatteoX
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2017, 04:19:40 am
content: From your post I am not sure if you already had an introductory EM course. Are you looking for books that are more phyhsics or engineering oriented?If you already had an introductory EM course I would recommend to check some of the classic books:Ramo "Fields and Waves in Communication Electronics"Jackson "Classical Electrodynamics"Balanis "Advanced Engineering Electromagnetics"All of the above texts are at postgraduate level (or maybe advanced undergrad)At lower level maybe:Griffiths "Introduction to Electrodynamics"Lorrain "Electromagnetic Fields and Waves"Cheng "Field and Wave Electromagnetics" (for the first EM course)There are tons of books for the first EM class. Newer books unfortunately tend to be mathematically diluted.

author: exmadscientist
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2017, 01:17:25 am
content: Griffiths and Jackson are the standards for undergraduate and graduate electromagnetism courses, respectively. Griffiths in particular should serve you well, it's an excellent text. Jackson... every time I have opened Jackson, I've regretted it. I don't find what I need, and I usually don't find anything at all useful.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 02:13:35 am
content: Quote from: MatteoX on June 05, 2017, 04:19:40 amI second the recommendation for Ramo, Whinnery and Van Duzer, and also Jackson. Another one I like is by Plonsey and Collins.

author: eyiz
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 02:48:40 am
content: If you need to brush up on your Vector Calculus, here's a brief textbookVector Analysis 2nd Edition - Barry Spainhttps://archive.org/details/VectorAnalysisoldie but goodie.

author: TheUnnamedNewbie
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2017, 07:24:23 am
content: Thanks for the replies! I now have some titles to look at. Will go see if I can find them in the university library to see which one(s) I want to purchase.