Synthesis of modulated corrugated surface-wave structures

An exact procedure for the design of a surface that will support a prescribed group of surface waves simultaneously is described. The surfaces resulting from the application of this procedure are found to be modulated (i.e., to contain periodic waves in the direction of propagation) and to have surface impedance values that vary periodically in the direction of propagation. Finite-length surfaces of this type are hence reminiscent of Simon's "cigar antenna." Several surface designs are presented, and some general properties of the surfaces and the composite waves they support are discussed. Certain limitations on the design procedure are described.