Dispersion characteristics of broadside coupled dielectric image guide at millimeter wave frequencies

Dispersion characteristics and wave impedance for the even and odd modes of the broad side coupled dielectric image guides are computed by using mode matching techniques. Dispersion curves for broadside image guide are plotted for various dielectric materials and dimensional parameters as a function of frequency. Normalized electric field for dominant electric field component E of TM even and odd modes for various half spacings between two dielectric slabs of broadside coupled image guide have been plotted. Polysterene ( r=2.56) and Stycast ( r=3.4) have been used as dielectric materials in fabricating broadside coupled image guide. This broadside coupled dielectric guide is very convenient as compared to the other dielectric guides. Since in case of broadside coupled image guide the dielectric slab can be bonded to the side metallic walls using some low loss adhesive material, while in other coupled dielectric guides the dielectric slab have to be supported by some low dielectric constant material (Eccofoam with r=1.02) to maintain the proper distance of side metallic walls from the dielectric slab. Since this structure is symmetrical, this configuration can be analysed in terms of even and odd mode phase velocities. The difference in these even and off mode phase velocities can be used to determine the coupling between coupled dielectric slab. Various couplers in this configuration can be realised.