Simulation and Measurement of Surface Wave Propagation Along a Metal Cut-Wire Array

The low-frequency punch-through phenomenon observed in a metal cut-wire array is studied. It is demonstrated through simulation and measurement that the propagation mechanism at low frequencies is dominated by a surface wave propagating at the interface between the wires and free space. The propagation constant and the field distribution of the surface wave are extracted and compared to the theory. The effect of random wire height on the surface wave propagation is also investigated.