Surface wave

In physics, a surface wave is a wave that is guided along the interface between two different media for a mechanical wave, or by a refractive index gradient for an electromagnetic wave. The surface wave is also known as the Norton surface wave, the Zenneck wave or the gliding wave.

Related Topics:
Physics - Interface - Mechanical wave - Refractive index - Electromagnetic wave

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A surface wave, in this sense, has a wavelength that is too short to propagate freely in the less dense medium. It is bound to the surface. The term has also been used in over-the-horizon radar to describe waves propagating over an ocean, even when they are approximated by Airy functions and are more properly called creeping waves.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~