| 摘要 |
A surface wave launcher 100 for launching electromagnetic surface waves, the launcher comprising: a waveguide comprising a planar conductive layer 116; a feed structure 104 comprising a first conductor, the first conductor coupled to the waveguide at a coupling; wherein the waveguide is arranged to be positioned adjacent to a surface suitable for guiding electromagnetic surface waves; and wherein the planar conductive layer comprises one or more slots 120, the one or more slots extending through the conductive layer. Aspects of the invention include: the slots each having a pair of longitudinal edges and arranged such that an axis radially extending from the coupling intersects each pair of longitudinal edges of the one or more slots; the slots being arcuate and orientated parallel to one another, an arc of the slots extending at least partially around the coupling. Embodiments of the invention include a surface wave launcher as above (including or excluding the slots) wherein the waveguide has a dielectric layer 118, the planar conductive layer 116 positioned on or adjacent a first surface of the dielectric layer and wherein the dielectric layer overlaps 124 at least some of an edge of the first planar conductive layer. |
