Information is given about the properties, structure and methods of excitation of surface electromagnetic waves. Issues of practical use of surface waves in microwave devices are considered. An explanation of the principle of operation and a description of the structures of two types of flat deceleration systems of a dielectric plate on a metal substrate and a metal comb (corrugated) structure are given. Methods of measuring the phase velocity and transverse coefficient of attenuation of surface waves and the order of laboratory work. are presented. Prepared by the Department of antennas and operation of radio-electronic equipment and recommended for publication by the editorial and publishing board of St. Petersburg State University of Aerospace Instrumentation