For the case of two metallic half-spaces separated by a vacuum whose dielectric function is described by the Drude model, the gap dependence of the radiative energy transfer due to propagating waves is investigated. The minimum radiative heat transfer coefficient, h_(min), and the gap, d_(min), at which the minimum value of radiative transfer is attained is determined in terms of the parameters of the dielectric function and the absolute temperature T. We show that h_(min) ∝ T~2 in the high temperature limit and h_(min) ∝ T~(3.5) in the low temperature limit.
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