A Wave-Chaotic Approach To Predicting And Measuring Electromagnetic Field Quantities In Complicated Enclosures

Abstract

The coupling of short-wavelength electromagnetic waves into large complicated enclosures is of great interest in the field of electromagnetic compatibility engineering. The intent is to protect sensitive electronic devices housed within these enclosures from the detrimental effects of high-intensity external electromagnetic radiation penetrating into the enclosure (which acts as a resonant cavity) through various coupling channels (or ports). The Random Coupling Model introduced by Zheng, Antonsen and Ott is a stochastic model where the mechanism of the coupling process is quantified by the non-statistical "radiation impedance" of the coupling-port, and the field variations within the cavity are conjectured to be explained in a statistical sense through Random Matrix Theory- by assuming that the waves possess chaotic ray-dynamics within the cavity.

The Random Coupling Model in conjunction with Random Matrix Theory thus makes explicit predictions for the statistical aspect (Probability Density Functions-PDFs) of the impedance, admittance and scattering fluctuations of waves within such wave-chaotic cavities. More importantly, these fluctuations are expected to be universal in that their statistical description depends only upon the value of a single dimensionless cavity loss-parameter. This universality in the impedance, admittance and scattering properties is not restricted to electromagnetic systems, but is equally applicable to analogous quantities in quantum-mechanical or acoustic systems, which also comprise of short-wavelength waves confined within complicated-shaped potential wells or acoustic-resonators.

In this dissertation, I will experimentally show the validity of the "radiation impedance" to accurately quantify the port-coupling characteristics. I will experimentally prove the existence of these universal fluctuations in the impedance, admittance and scattering properties of quasi-two-dimensional and three-dimensional wave-chaotic systems driven by one-port or two-ports, and validate that their statistical nature is described through Random Matrix Theory. Finally, I will utilize the Random Coupling Model to formulate a prediction-algorithm to determine the shape and scales of induced voltages PDFs at specific points within complicated enclosures, such as computer boxes, when irradiated by high-intensity, short-wavelength electromagnetic energy. The insight gained from the experimental validation of the Random Coupling Model allows one to conceive of certain design-guidelines for cavity-enclosures that are more resistant to attack from an external short-wavelength electromagnetic source.