Skin Depth (aka Skin Effect)
as a Function of Frequency, Permeability, & Conductivity

As frequencies increase, conduction begins to move from an equal distribution through the conductor cross section toward existence almost exclusively near the surface. Depending on the conductor bulk resistivity (δ_s), at sufficiently high frequency all the RF current is flowing within a very small thickness at the surface. Furthermore, the current concentrates nearest to the surface that abuts the highest relative dielectric constant. Lower bulk resistivities result in shallower skin depths.

In the case of a microstrip layout (to the left), the current concentrates nearest to the substrate dielectric material, although current does also concentrate at the other surfaces as well (redder regions). For a solid wire (to the left), the current concentrates on the outer surface. For this reason, when skin depth is shallow, the solid conductor can be replaced with a hollow tube with no perceivable loss of performance. Choice of a plating material can degrade performance (increase attenuation) if its bulk resistivity is greater than that of the copper.

Most common conductors have a relative permeability of very near 1, so for copper, aluminum, etc., a µ value of 4π* 10^-7 H/m can safely be assumed. Magnetic materials like iron, cobalt, nickel, mumetals, and permalloy can have relative permeabilities of hundreds or thousands.

The equation for calculating the skin depth is given here:

          (click here table of calculated values)

µ = permeability (4π* 10^-7 H/m),  note: H = henries = Ω*s

δ_s = skin depth (m)

ρ = resistivity (Ω*m)

ω = radian frequency = 2π*f (Hz)

σ = conductivity (mho/m),  note: mho [] = Siemen [S]

Example: Copper @ 10 GHz (ρ_Cu=1.69*10^-8 Ωm)