skin depth a requirement inside waveguide

[Lathas]

If we are making a waveguide using hollow rectangular dielectric material outside and metal lining inside, do we need to consider 4-5 times skin depth for the metal lining thickness?

 

[biff44]

yes, of course. but the inner layer has the most current flow, so you can use different types of metals, where the most conductive is the innermost surface and still get decent loss

 

[Anna Conda]

4-5 times the skin depth for the metal you are using should be ample, remember Al has a much greater skin thickness (or depth) than say copper or gold...

 

[volker@muehlhaus]

remember Al has a much greater skin thickness (or depth) than say copper or gold...

Skin depth of aluminimum and gold are about the same.

Copper conductivity 5.8e7 S/m, relative skin depth 100%
Gold conductivity 4.09e7 S/m, relative skin depth 119%
Aluminium conductivity 3.72e7 S/m, relative skin depth 125%