Surface polaritons in composite media with time dispersion of permittivityand permeability

The propagation of electromagnetic waves in a composite medium based on an array of conducting wires in a ferromagnetic nonconducting matrix is discus sed. It is demonstrated that, in certain ranges of frequencies and waveleng ths, the composite under investigation can possess properties inherent in a "left-handed" medium. The regions of the existence of bulk and surface loc alized electromagnetic waves are explored. Consideration is given to the di spersion of surface electromagnetic waves in thick layers of the composite. (C) 2001 MAIK "Nauka/ Interperiodica".