1.Previous
3.Next

use the convention on the left (with e^-i?t), while electrical engineers use the convention on the right (with e^+i?t, for example see electrical impedance). The distinction is irrelevant for an unattenuated wave, but becomes relevant in some cases below. For example, there are two definitions of complex refractive index, one with a positive imaginary part and one with a negative imaginary part, derived from the two different conventions.

1.Previous
3.Next