An antenna system includes an elongated conductive plane and an elongated dielectric layer that is disposed on the conductive plane. An elongated graphene nanoribbon is disposed along an axis and is coupled to the dielectric layer at a graphene/dielectric interface. A feeding mechanism is coupled to the conductive plane. The feeding mechanism is configured to accept a signal that excites surface plasmon polariton waves at the graphene/dielectric interface. In a method of making a surface plasmon polariton wave antenna, an elongated conductive plane is formed. An elongated dielectric layer is applied on a surface of the conductive plane. An elongated graphene nanoribbon is applied to the dielectric layer. A signal source is coupled to the elongated conductive plane.