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

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.

Experimental and Theoretical Realization of Zenneck Wave-based Non-Radiative, Non-Coupled Wireless Power Transmission

“…An exponential E-field decay is also observed in the normal direction away from the metal-air interface(listed in Fig. 2 f), consistent with the evanescent property of the ZW's [8][9][10]15,[19][20][21][22][23][24] .…”

“…While SP and surface wave (SW) have been widely researched areas in optical physics and metasurfaces, they are relatively less studied in the microwave regime 10,[12][13][14] . Likewise, much research around ZW is focused on the communications and geophysics applications [15][16][17] . Unfortunately, ZW has been surrounded by the controversies regarding their physical existence [19][20][21] .…”

Experimental Realization of Zenneck Type Wave-based Non-Radiative, Non-Coupled Wireless Power Transmission

“…They sink into a lossy dielectric media, as mathematically demonstrated by Barlow and Cullens in their classic article 20 . This sinking phenomenon was later experimentally demonstrated in the articles 16,21 .…”

“…Likewise, the iso-phases in the Fig. 2B, undergo a forward tilt and subsequent sinking when they encounter a lossy dielectric 16,20,21 .…”

“…While SP and surface wave (SW) have been widely researched areas in optical physics and metasurfaces, they are relatively less studied in the microwave regime [12][13][14][15] . Likewise, much research around ZW is focused on the communications and geophysics applications 13,16,17 . Unfortunately, ZW has been surrounded by the controversies pertaining to their physical existence 14,15,18 .…”