Observation of Zenneck-Like Waves over a Metasurface Designed for Launching HF Radar Surface Wave

Florent Jangal,Marc Hélier,Nicolas Bourey,François Issac,Muriel Darces

doi:10.1155/2016/6184959

Abstract

Since the beginning of the 20th century a controversy has been continuously revived about the existence of the Zenneck Wave. This wave is a theoretical solution of Maxwell’s equations and might be propagated along the interface between the air and a dielectric medium. The expected weak attenuation at large distance explains the constant interest for this wave. Notably in the High Frequency band such a wave had been thought as a key point to reduce the high attenuation observed in High Frequency Surface Wave Radar. Despite many works on that topic and various experiments attempted during one century, there is still an alternation of statements between its existence and its nonexistence. We report here an experiment done during the optimisation of the transmitting antennas for Surface Wave Radars. Using an infrared method, we visualize a wave having the structure described by Zenneck above a metasurface located on a dielectric slab.

Highlights

In 1907, Zenneck was aiming to explain Marconi’s experiments on transatlantic propagation [1]
Since ionization of the atmosphere was mainly thought as the result of Earth radioactivity and was limited to ten kilometers or so [2], Zenneck logically stated that the ionization of the atmosphere could not explain Marconi’s results [1]. He assumed that transatlantic propagation was due to the creation of a new kind of electromagnetic wave which was propagated along the interface between the air and the ground
A metamaterial can provide the needed impedance and move the pole outside the integration path. In this case we will generate the well-known Surface Plasmon Polariton (SPP) which is propagated along an inductive surface [31, 32]

Summary

Introduction

In 1907, Zenneck was aiming to explain Marconi’s experiments on transatlantic propagation [1]. Since ionization of the atmosphere was mainly thought as the result of Earth radioactivity and was limited to ten kilometers or so [2], Zenneck logically stated that the ionization of the atmosphere could not explain Marconi’s results [1] He assumed that transatlantic propagation was due to the creation of a new kind of electromagnetic wave which was propagated along the interface between the air and the ground. As time goes by, according to mathematical approaches, an abundant terminology has been built to name the confined waves which can be propagated at the interface between two materials [8,9,10,11,12] and the ZW has remained a theoretical object In this context, the main criticism is dealing with the excitation of the ZW.

Theoretical Approach

Measurements

Conclusion