Rigorous analysis of the parallel-plate waveguide by the hybrid mode formulation: From the TEM mode to the Surface Plasmon Polariton

This paper presets an analysis of the parallel-plate waveguide, based on an hybrid mode formulation. The non-ideal metallic conductors of the waveguide are treated as a media characterized by an equivalent permittivity. The frequencies of interest in the presented analysis are at the terahertz band (from 300 GHz to 30 THz) and appropriate models are used for the correct characterization of metallic conductors at these frequencies. The behavior of the electromagnetic field of the fundamental mode is studied in a wide frequency range. At low frequencies (microwave regime) the fundamental mode is the well-known TEM mode; as frequency increases, the electromagnetic field changes significantly and a surface wave or Surface Plasmon Polariton (SPP) behavior is observed at the highest frequencies of the terahertz band. This paper shows an unified formulation that explains this transformation in the electromagnetic field behavior.