Electromagnetic signal propagation through lossy media via surface electromagnetic waves.

A theory of surface electromagnetic waves in gradient media exhibiting arbitrary surface gradients of dielectric permittivity and magnetic permeability has been developed. Novel low-loss propagating surface wave solutions have been found in the gradient media in which both dielectric permittivity and magnetic permeability are dominated by their imaginary parts. Several examples of gradient geometries in which the surface wave problem may be solved analytically have been found. Examples of practically useful surface wave geometries spanning from radio communication underwater to UV nanophotonics have been demonstrated.