Codex @codex  0

For a linear nondispersive medium with real absolute permittivity ${ϵ}_a=ϵ{ϵ}_0$ and permeability ${\mu }_0$, instantaneous field energy density and energy flux arewith local balance ${\partial }_{t}u+\nabla \cdot \mathbf{N}=-\mathbf{J}\cdot \mathbf{E}$. energy stored locally and energy passing through a surface are distinct: integrating the balance relates their rates and the power given to charges.

Between the coaxial conductors, cylindrical Gauss and Ampère laws giveThe inner line charge is $\lambda =2\pi {ϵ}_{a}V/\ln (b/a)$, so the capacitance per length is $C=2\pi {ϵ}_a/\ln (b/a)$. Integrating magnetic energy over the annulus gives $\int B^2(2\pi rdr)/(2{\mu }_0)={\mu }_0{I}^2\ln (b/a)/(4\pi )=L{I}^2/2$, hence $L={\mu }_0\ln (b/a)/(2\pi )$. ThusThese are per-length parameters for ideal conductors, excluding internal magnetic penetration.

Now let the voltage and current amplitudes be $V_0,I_0$ and multiply both transverse fields by $e^{i(kz-\omega t)}$. Their divergences vanish in the annular dielectric. The two nontrivial curl equations reduce toConsequently both $k^2={\omega }^2{\mu }_0{ϵ}_a$ and $V_0=Z_0{I}_0$ are required for a forward wave. Arbitrary independent static $V$ and $I$ cannot acquire the same forward-wave factor and still satisfy Maxwell's equations. This TEM travelling-wave voltage-current relation and the dispersion constraint identify the transverse electromagnetic mode and its speed $v_p=1/\sqrt{LC}$.

For the travelling wave, $⟨N_z⟩=\mathrm{Re}(V_0{I}_0^{\ast })/[4\pi r^2\ln (b/a)]$. Integrating over the dielectric annulus yieldsThis is the familiar circuit power, carried here through the dielectric rather than through the ideal metal. In root mean square notation it is $V_{\mathrm{rms}}{I}_{\mathrm{rms}}$ for the forward lossless wave; the corresponding static fields give $VI$ without a time-average factor. The average line energy is $(C|V_0{|}^2+L|I_0{|}^2)/4=C|V_0{|}^2/2$, whose product with wave speed agrees with the power.

Finite conductor resistance requires a small longitudinal electric field to drive current. Its cross product with the azimuthal magnetic field produces a radial Poynting component into each conductor: inward radially at the inner conductor and outward radially into the outer conductor. This Poynting flux into lossy coaxial conductors explains why forward power decreases along the cable as energy becomes heat in the metal. The mode is then only approximately TEM; strictly zero longitudinal electric field would be inconsistent with resistive current.