Field structure and velocities of surface waves on plane interfaces of conducting media with a relatively high conductivity, Zenneck wave

Abstract

The physical properties of boundary surface electromagnetic waves at interfaces of high-conductivity media substantially differ from the well-known properties of the surface waves that are guided by dielectric waveguides. The earlier conclusion that the three velocities of such waves (phase, group, and energy) are different (so that the group velocity differs from the energy velocity) is proven. It is also demonstrated that the conventionally determined group velocity does not have the commonly accepted physical meaning, since it can be greater than the velocity of light, whereas the energy velocity (the velocity at which the energy is transferred) is less than the velocity of light in free space. The Brewster effect is not observed in the field structure of the waves under study (in particular, Zenneck waves). The application of the Leontovich surface impedance in the analysis of the boundary surface waves is substantiated.