On the Condition for Transformation of a Fast Surface Wave into a Slow Surface Wave

Surface plasmons (polaritons) along the boundary between vacuum and a dissipative half-space with given complex permittivity, including the case of placing an electrically thin dielectric layer (system of layers) on the boundary, are considered. Conditions for transformation of a fast gliding Zenneck surface wave (polariton) into a slow wave (slow surface plasmon) are considered. The behavior of the group velocity and the energy velocity of motion (transfer) in such structures are analyzed. The reflection coefficient of the Zenneck wave along the sea for the ice pack of a given thickness is determined. It has been shown that rigorous solution of the Sommerfeld problem by means of numerical calculation of integrals in the near zone allows obtaining the solution of the inverse problem of the structure of the surface region on the basis of redundant experimental data on components of the electromagnetic field on the surface at different ranges from the antenna.