Method and apparatus for launching a wave mode that mitigates interference

A method, comprising:

• generating, by a waveguide system, a first instance of an electromagnetic wave having a first polarization;
• generating, by the waveguide system, a second instance of an electromagnetic wave having a second polarization;
• generating, by the waveguide system, a combined electromagnetic wave having a hybrid wave mode based on the first instance of the electromagnetic wave and the second instance of the electromagnetic wave;
• and
• guiding, by the waveguide system, the combined electromagnetic wave to an outer surface of a transmission medium, wherein the combined electromagnetic wave propagates along the outer surface of the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path.

A method, comprising:

• receiving, by a waveguide system, an electromagnetic wave having a non-hybrid wave mode on an outer surface of a transmission medium;
• detecting, by the waveguide system, a degradation of a signal quality of the electromagnetic wave;
• and
• generating, by the waveguide system, an adjusted electromagnetic wave having a hybrid wave mode to mitigate the degradation of the signal quality of the electromagnetic wave, wherein the adjusted electromagnetic wave propagates along the outer surface of the transmission medium without requiring an electrical return path.