Electromagnetic surface waves of a ferrite slab bounded by metamaterials

The dispersion characteristics of electromagnetic surface waves (EMSWs) supported by a ferrite film of finite thickness magnetized parallel to the planes of its interfaces with metamaterial (MTM) surroundings are numerically investigated. MTMs have simultaneously negative permeability μ and negative permittivity ɛ. The dispersion equation is analytically derived and magnetostatic approximation is considered. The surface wave frequency is plotted against the effective index for different slab thicknesses. In the calculation, several sets of ɛ and μ of the metamaterial are considered with their products kept constant, i.e., ɛμ=4. Results show that wave in microwave range can only satisfy the condition of negative effective permeability of the ferrite slab. Surface waves propagate through the film for the considered values of ɛ and μ. The waves' behavior depends on the values of ɛ and μ of the MTMs, e.g., a discontinuity may appear and disappear in the curve of the frequency versus effective index at different values for film thicknesses.