[Sloth]

i is actually useful for describing real-world phenomena, such as electrical voltage. This Anderson guy, on the other hand, just sounds like an assclown.

[BobS]

"i is actually useful for describing real-world phenomena, such as electrical voltage."

+/- xi is used to characterize the frequency response of an AC circuit. If you were to sit down with a pencil and calculator and think yourself into a stupor like in your first AC circuit class.

i is simalarly used in microwave. Sweep a range of frequencies using a network analyzer looking into the waveguide device of your choice. Mark a few points using the log mag display and note the frequency and amplitude. Switch to polar display and note the impedence values of those same points.

Now, grab an X-Y plotter and manually sweep that band on a Smith chart. That's the most primitive and will give you your reactance, resistance and phase. If you know basic electronics, you can relate to microwave with a Smith chart.

When you get to the polar plot, an LED will turn on and you will want to get the Agilent 50 GHz network analyzer (~$200K) so you can tune things fast without the slightest thought about the math; listen to talk radio and BS with buddies and the gals. Then go out and prove that what you built actually performs to spec!!!

[chilepepper]

actually, he does not. merely a person who thinks outside the box, unlike yourself.