The theory of chirowaveguides

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Abstract
The theory of chirowaveguides is discussed, and their salient features are analyzed. It is shown that the Helmholtz equations for the longitudinal components of electric and magnetic fields in chirowaveguides are always coupled and that, consequently, in these waveguides individual transverse electric (TE), transverse magnetic (TM), or transverse electromagnetic (TEM) modes cannot be supported. As an illustrative example, the parallel-plate chirowaveguide is analyzed in detail and the corresponding dispersion relations, cutoff frequencies, and propagating and evanescent modes are obtained. In the dispersion (Brillouin) diagram for a chirowaveguide, three regions are identified: the fast-fast-wave region, the fast-slow-wave region and the slow-slow-wave region. For each of these regions, the electromagnetic field components in a parallel-plate chirowaveguide are analyzed and the electric field components are plotted. Potential applications of chirowaveguides in integrated optical devices, communications systems, and printed circuit antennas are mentioned.