(under subclass 239) Subject matter for propagating, without substantial radiation, electromagnetic energy along the interface between two media having different physical properties (e.g., different permittivities).
(1) Note. While the electromagnetic field extends to infinity in a direction transverse to the guide, the energy density decreases with distance so that most of the energy propagation is in the immediate neighborhood of the interface.
(2) Note. Surface wave guiding structures may comprise dielectric clad conductive cylinders, conductive planes with parallel grooves or conductive cylinders with radial grooves, or a dielectric rod clad with a dielectric media of a different permittivity.
