Experimental Evidence of Near-field Superluminally Propagating Electromagnetic Fields

TL;DR

This experiment demonstrates that near-field electromagnetic fields can propagate superluminally, with transverse electric waves appearing to travel faster than light close to the source, then slowing down to c at larger distances.

Contribution

The paper provides experimental evidence that near-field electromagnetic waves can propagate superluminally, challenging traditional views on electromagnetic wave propagation.

Findings

Superluminal transverse electric fields are generated near the source.

Transverse waves travel with infinite speed immediately outside the source.

Waves slow down to the speed of light at about one wavelength from the source.

Abstract

A simple experiment is presented which indicates that electromagnetic fields propagate superluminally in the near-field next to an oscillating electric dipole source. A high frequency 437MHz, 2 watt sinusoidal electrical signal is transmitted from a dipole antenna to a parallel near-field dipole detecting antenna. The phase difference between the two antenna signals is monitored with an oscilloscope as the distance between the antennas is increased. Analysis of the phase vs distance curve indicates that superluminal transverse electric field waves (phase and group) are generated approximately one-quarter wavelength outside the source and propagate toward and away from the source. Upon creation, the transverse waves travel with infinite speed. The outgoing transverse waves reduce to the speed of light after they propagate about one wavelength away from the source. The inward propagating transverse fields rapidly reduce to the speed of light and then rapidly increase to infinite speed as they travel into the source. The results are shown to be consistent with standard electrodynamic theory.