Surface-Wave Propagation on a Single Metal Wire or Rod at Millimeter-Wave and Terahertz Frequencies

Guided wave propagation on cylindrical conductors such as copper, aluminum, or stainless steel has been found to provide low attenuation, moderate field extent, and high power-handling capability at millimeter and terahertz wavelengths. Launching and shielding methods are described for the low-loss mode. Uncoated conductors provide the lowest loss, while coated conductors have the smallest field extent. The surface wave is bound to the conductor because of the finite conductivity of the metal, and in the case of coated cylinders, also by the presence of the dielectric layer