Why do TEM modes need two conductors to propagate?

[klawlor419]

Why do we need two conducting surfaces to allow TEM modes to propagate through a waveguide? Why can we not propagate TEM waves through a single conducting waveguide?

 

[Drakkith]

Try these links:
http://whites.sdsmt.edu/classes/ee481/notes/481Lecture10.pdf
http://www.ece.rutgers.edu/~orfanidi/ewa/ch09.pdf

 

[Meir Achuz]

With only one conductor, the only solution that satisfies E_tangential at the conductor equal to zero is E=0 everywhere.