| 摘要 |
<p>A surface wave launcher for launching electromagnetic surface waves, the launcher comprising: a waveguide having a feed end 103 and a launch end 104; a feed structure coupled to the feed end of the waveguide; wherein the feed structure includes a first conductor 106, the waveguide comprises a first planar conductive layer 110 having a feed end 103 and a launch end 104, the feed end being coupled to the first conductor; and the waveguide is arranged to be positioned adjacent a surface (guiding medium 113) suitable for guiding electromagnetic surface waves, wherein the width of the first planar conductive layer tapers from the launch end towards the feed end. The first planar conductor forms an isosceles triangle and the performance of the launcher at a particular frequency can be optimised by changing the length of the triangle. Embodiments of the invention include a surface wave launcher as shown in Fig 7 wherein the waveguide comprises one or more elements (pin 313) arranged to cause a signal generated by the waveguide to be emitted in a predetermined direction.</p> |
