The radiation and reflection of surface waves at a discontinuity

A theoretical study of the radiation and reflection of a electromagnetic surface wave at a guiding structure discontinuity is given in this paper. A TE surface wave is considered. It is supported by a dielectric coated conductor which has a contour deformation of the guiding surface. When the deformation is small, the problem may be treated by the boundary perturbation technique to yield the radiated electromagnetic wave and the reflected surface wave. A numerical example is given to illustrate how the radiation pattern and the reflection coefficient vary for different degrees of surface deformation.