The Q of dipole, TM radiation fields

We review attempts to define and calculate Q in unconfined radiation fields. For the case of a single, isolated dipole our results are in exact agreement with Chu (1948). Our technique may be directly expanded to include summations over multipolar fields; it separates the local fields into standing energy patterns, one of which is tied to the antenna and one of which is tied to the outbound field. This enables us to calculate a nonresonant Q, avoiding the necessity of including exterior elements in the analysis. We analyze two specific cases: a single electric dipole radiator, and perpendicular, out of phase electric dipole radiators. Both energy field cancellation and the shining of energy between standing energy patterns results in the Q of combined fields not directly combining to a summed Q as is the case for circuits.