Brief overview about Surface Wave theory and applications

In this paper, we intend to give a brief overview of the surface wave theory (Zenneck and plasmon wave, surface mode and leaky wave) in a uniform approach. The simple case of the air-dielectric plane interface will be studied in order to explain the 3 existing approaches leading to Zenneck and plasmon wave definition. Their link with Brewster´s angle and Sommerfeld´s poles will be exhibited. The obtained expressions for the propagation vector will be interpreted in order to discuss the interesting properties for both kinds of waves in dielectric case. Then we will study the case of a dielectric-coated perfect-metal plane structure in order to find the equations leading to surface-modes and leaky-wave-modes. These equations will be analyzed to deduce these waves´ properties. Comparison between all these waves will be performed.