Surface waves excited from negative-index materials

Studies on electromagnetic surface waves along the surface of a finitely thick plate made from negative-index materials are presented in this paper. Through theoretical analysis we worked out requirements on permeability and permittivity for surface waves to exist. Comparing with the model of a plate with infinite thickness, the one of finite thickness shows released requirements, leading to potential applications in guiding wave and developing radiation sources. With the help of particle-in-cell simulations, we examined theoretical predictions and demonstrated field distributions of surface waves.