On the Effect of Field Spatial Separation on Slow Wave Propagation

This article introduces a description of the slow wave effect based on the analysis of spatial field separation. Considering an ideal parallel-plate framework, approximate analytical expressions are derived for the slow wave factor (SWF), as well as dielectric attenuation. In particular, it is shown that the SWF can be related to the spatial distribution of both electric and magnetic fields. It is also demonstrated that the dielectric attenuation increases by the same factor as the velocity reduces. The derived principles are applied to a study case consisting of a parallel-plate waveguide partially filled with vertically grown metallic nanowires.