Theory of Composite Guides: Stratified Guides for Surface Waves

An analysis is given of surface-wave propagation along a plane interface separating air from a semi-infinite medium coated with several layers of different media. Formulae are derived for the general case of arbitrary media. Simple approximate expressions are obtained for the surface impedance of the guiding plane, the decay coefficient of the surface-wave field, the attenuation and phase-propagation coefficients: the use of the formulae is illustrated by the solution of a few particular problems. The application to single-wire transmission line is indicated.