We explore a new mechanism for detection of neutrino-induced showers via surface waves at radio frequencies. Air-dielectric surface waves exist on a plane boundaries that have attenuation lengths 2.82 that of the dielectric, and their amplitudes fall only by the inverse square root of propagation distance. Allowing for substantial coupling uncertainties, surface waves may provide a useful mechanism for neutrino detection in polar ice, promoting the development of neutrino telescopes in the energy regime above ${10}^{15}$ eV.

• Received 6 October 2004

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.71.011503