Double-slot antennas on extended hemispherical and elliptical quartz dielectric lenses

In this paper, the theoretical far-field patterns and Gaussianbeam coupling efficiencies are investigated for a double-slot antenna placed on quartz hemispherical lenses with varying extension lengths. The radiation patterns of the double-slot antenna are computed using ray-tracing inside the lens and electric and magnetic field integration on the spherical dielectric surface. The theoretical results are equally valid for double-dipole, log-periodic, and spiral antennas, and are presented in extension length/radius and radius/. Therefore, the results yield universal design curves for quartz lenses of different diameters and at different frequencies and using different antennas. The results indicate that forsingle units, there exists a wide range of extension lengths (ext. length/radius=0.61 to 0.76) which result in high Gaussian-coupling efficiencies to moderately highf/# systems. Forimaging array applications with high packing densities, an extension length/radius=0.82 to 0.93 (depending on frequency) will result in peak directivity and highest packing density but lower Gaussian-coupling efficiencies.     

Theoretical and practical limits of superdirective antenna arrays

Some applications as Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) require compact and directive antennas. However, Electrically Small Antennas (ESAs) have low efficiencies and quasi-isotropic radiation patterns. Superdirective ESA arrays can be an interesting solution to cope with both constraints (the compactness and the directivity). In this paper, the theoretical and practical limits of superdirective antennas will be presented. These limits can be summarized by the directivity sensitivity toward the excitation coefficients changes and the radiation efficiency decrement as the inter-element decreases. The need for negative resistances is also a practical limit for transforming these arrays into parasitic ones. The necessary trade-offs between the antenna total dimensions (the number of elements and the inter-element distance) and the attainable directivity and efficiency are also analyzed throughout this paper.     

Analytical framework of small-gap photoconductive dipole antenna using equivalent circuit model

A compact planar antenna sources with on-chip fabrication and high directivity in order to achieve large depth-of-field for better image resolution is the prospective demand for THz imaging application. Therefore, the small-gap photoconductive dipole antennas have been explored to fulfil such applications demand. However, there are certain modalities for improving the photoconductive dipole antenna performance which need to identify to accomplish high THz average radiated power and improved total efficiency. The unit-cell small-gap photoconductive dipole antenna radiation power enhancement methods need to optimize the design parameters with photoconductive material selection from theoretical simulation. Further, the potential improvement of coupling efficiency of THz wave with air as well as femto-second laser incident efficiency is also important parameters to enhance the radiation power of small-gap photoconductive dipole antenna. In this paper, we have presented an analytical procedure employing explicit mathematical expression leading to the physical behaviour of small-gap photoconductive dipole antenna. The effects of biased lines on the antenna performance parameters are discussed with the help of proposed equivalent circuit model. We have explored the effect of gap-size on the THz radiated power and on total radiation efficiency from the proposed photoconductive dipole antennas.     

Planar Log-Periodic Antennas on Extended Hemishperical Silicon Lenses for Millimeter/Submillimeter Wave Detection Applications

In this paper, the radiation properties of log-periodic (LP) antennas on extended hemispherical dielectric lenses are investigated. The starting point is the far field pattern for the log-periodic antenna on a semi-infinite silicon substrate obtained from numerical simulation. Then the effects of extended hemispherical silicon dielectric lenses on this far field pattern are evaluated using ray tracing and field integration techniques. The far fields patterns out of the lenses are derived as a function of the extension length (L), from which the optimum L can be determined. The coupling efficiencies of the pattern to Gaussian beams are also calculated. The computation results show that the log-periodic antennas have good performance in terms of impedance and pattern and can be used in many submillimeter/THz systems. The simulation methods are verified by comparing the simulation results with experimental data from literature. The utilized approach represents an effective method for log periodic antenna-lens system design at millimeter/submillimeter wavelengths.     

Millimeter wave oscillations in a log-periodic antenna integrated with field-effect transistor

We experimentally study microwave oscillations in a hybrid integrated circuit comprising a field effect transistor and a log-periodic microstrip antenna on a dielectric substrate. The oscillations were observed both at the main resonance frequency of the antenna and at harmonics in a range of 6 to 40 GHz. The opportunities for oscillator design optimization were studied in application to the millimeter-wave range.     

Submillimeter-wave antennas on thin membranes

Submillimeter-wave antennas have been fabricated on 1-m thick silicon-oxynitride membranes. This approach results in better patterns than previous lens-coupled antennas, and eliminates the dielectric loss associated with the substrate lens. Measurements on a wideband log-periodic antenna at 700 GHz, 370 GHz and 167 GHz show no sidelobes and 3-dB beamwidths between 40° and 60°. A linear imaging array has similar patterns at 700 GHz. Possible applications for membrane antennas include wideband superconducting tunnel-junction receivers for radio astronomy and imaging arrays for radiometry and plasma diagnostics.     

Analysis on effect of low dielectric permittivity on indium-doped tin oxide based optically transparent terahertz patch antenna

Indium-doped tin oxide based optically transparent rectangular patch antennas are designed to resonate at 750 GHz; one on the glass substrate and the other on the polyimide substrate. Characteristics of both the transparent antennas such as impedance bandwidth, radiation efficiency, directivity and gain are analyzed and compared. Polyimide substrate has a lower dielectric permittivity than the glass substrate. The effect of low dielectric permittivity substrate on the radiation characteristics of the terahertz transparent patch antenna is analyzed. The transparent antenna on polyimide substrate is shown to have gain greater than 3.97dB in 714–795 GHz. The proposed transparent antennas are designed and simulated by using finite element method based electromagnetic solver, Ansys–HFSS.     

阵列馈源偏置抛物面天线合成高功率微波的研究

 运用物理光学分析方法，对使用7单元的扇形喇叭一维阵列和角锥喇叭或圆锥喇叭三角形阵列喇叭束作为单偏置抛物面天线的馈源，空间合成高功率微波进行了比较研究，数值分析表明在阵元输入功率、口面最大场强、天线口径、净空间及天线边缘照度相同,且阵列馈源具有准轴对称主瓣条件下，扇形喇叭构成的一维阵列馈源与单偏置抛物面组成的天线系统的方向性系数和溢出效率优于采用角锥喇叭三角形阵列馈源或圆锥喇叭三角形阵列馈源的天线系统。若将喇叭束直接作为辐射天线使用，由于圆锥喇叭三角形阵列方向性系数对阵元间相位波动的稳定性较好，而更具优势。     

A semi-log-periodic array of spheroidal nanoelements: broadbanding nanoantennas

Nanoantenna arrays can offer unique possibilities for large local-field enhancement, high directivity, and also wavelength tunability over a wide spectral range. In this paper, a semi-log-periodic array of nanospheroidal elements has been studied, which exhibits a narrower beam and also a higher electric field enhancement in comparison with an equal size, equally distanced array of the same element. Through the numerical simulations, it has been presented that the suggested array is of a great potential for improvement of the directivity as well as the electric field enhancement over similar designs. Moreover, a considerable change has been observed in the electric field through gradual transformation of elements from sphere to very thin rod. Next, the effect of geometrical parameters on local-field enhancement has been investigated as a complementary job. Finally, it has been demonstrated that adjusting the number of elements can provide a narrower beam.     

Terahertz spectroscopy with a Josephson oscillator and a SINIS bolometer

The voltage response of a thin-film normal-metal hot-electron bolometer based on a SINIS (superconductor-insulator-normal metal-insulator-superconductor) structure to the radiation of a high-temperature Josephson junction in the terahertz frequency region was measured. Bolometers were integrated with planar log-periodic and double-dipole antennas, and Josephson junctions were integrated with log-periodic antennas. Measurements showed that the Josephson junction at a temperature of 260 mK was overheated by the transport current, so that its electron temperature exceeded 3 K at a bias voltage of 1 mV. The maximum response of a bolometer with a double-dipole antenna was observed at a frequency of 300 GHz, which agreed well with the calculated value. The Josephson radiation was observed at frequencies up to 1.7 THz. The voltage response of a bolometer reached 4×10⁸ V/W, and the total noise-equivalent power reached 1.5×10^?17 W/Hz^1/2.     

一种基于开口谐振环的高增益端射天线设计

基于开口谐振环(split-ring resonator, SRR)奇异的电磁特性, 设计并制备了一种覆盖C和X波段的高增益SRR-Vivaldi端射天线. 采用等效分析方法对SRR结构谐振特性进行了研究, 并将其应用于传统Vivaldi天线指数渐变槽线前方, 使SRR结构形成特殊谐振能力的引向器, 将天线表面电流集中于端射方向, 在保证天线尺寸和带宽不变的前提下, 实现了天线增益的有效提升. 仿真和测试结果表明, 新型SRR-Vivaldi天线在C波段增益平均提高75.44%, xoy面和xoz面半功率波束宽度都缩减20°以上; 在X波段增益平均提高24.46%, xoz面半功率波束宽度大约缩减25°. 该结构具有低成本、设计简单、便于加工、利于共形等优点, 为端射天线提高增益和增强定向性提供了新思路.     

光偶极天线的远场方向性研究

用时域有限差分方法模拟了两种光偶极天线模型的场分布,研究了光偶极天线的远场辐射特性随其长度增加而变化的规律以及影响其远场方向性的因素,发现光偶极天线的远场方向性随其长度增加而变化的规律类似于经典对称振子天线的相应规律.但高阶局域表面等离激元模式的存在使得光偶极天线的远场辐射图更快地出现了旁瓣.这些发现对于提高光天线的性能具有重要意义. 关键词： 光偶极天线 局域表面等离激元 金纳米粒子 远场方向性     

天线方向系数的一类计算逼近方法

天线的方向系数是天线的核心性能指标之一,准确计算方向系数是高性能天线应用的核心要求.本文基于平面近场测试理论、实测数据和快速傅里叶变换算法,系统阐述基于近场测试来数值计算天线方向系数的原理,并进行深入的误差分析.本文选择一种方向图函数和方向系数已知的被测天线,来检验所讨论的误差评估方案.评估分两步实现,第一步,针对这一天线,采用标准的近场测试配置,仿真模拟出(相当于实际测量出)一套平面近场数据.第二步,基于这套近场数据,利用数值积分计算出天线方向系数.本文使用或提出了四种数值算法,分析了提出的后三种算法本身的误差来源,并开发出程序搜索方案,确定出后两种算法的最小误差界.随后,利用这四种数值算法分别得出天线的方向系数.结果表明,计算所得的近场方向系数都比真实方向系数大,但误差不超过0.6 d B.这一结果对实际应用中正确评估基于近场测试的天线方向系数准确性有重要参考价值.     

Design considerations for rectangular microstrip patch antenna on electromagnetic crystal substrate at terahertz frequency

The effects of 2-D electromagnetic crystal substrate on the performance of a rectangular microstrip patch antennas at THz frequencies is simulated. Electromagnetic crystal substrate is used to obtain extremely broad-bandwidth with multi-frequency band operation of the proposed microstrip antennas. Multi-frequency band microstrip patch antennas are used in modern communication systems in order to enhance their capacity through frequency reuse. The simulated 10 dB impedance bandwidth of the rectangular patch microstrip antenna is 34.3% at THz frequency (0.6–0.95 THz). The radiation efficiency, gain and directivity of the proposed antenna are presented at different THz frequencies. The simulation has been performed using CST Microwave Studio, which is a commercially available electromagnetic simulator based on finite integral technique.     

物理光学法分析反射面天线辐射场

利用物理光学方法分析天线的远区辐射场具有计算速度快和内存需求少的特点,目前已被广泛应用于反射面天线的远区辐射场计算中。推导了利用斯特拉顿-朱兰成远场积分方程计算天线远区电场的表达式,计算了某一偏馈反射面天线的方向性,与文献中已有结果比较表明,方向图结果是正确的。馈源的方向图模型设置为余弦函数的q次方,利用增益公式近似推导了天线的增益,将这一计算方法应用于赋形反射面天线的远场分析中,通过对比反射面天线赋形前后波束扫描过程中不同扫描角度处的方向图,验证了赋形设计对于提高天线增益平坦度的有效性。     

Analysis of graphene based optically transparent patch antenna for terahertz communications

With and without multi walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) loaded graphene based optically transparent patch antennas are designed to resonate at 6 THz. Their radiation characteristics are analyzed in 5.66–6.43 THz band. The optically transparent graphene is deployed as the patch and ground plane of the antennas, which are separated by a 2.5 μm thick flexible polyimide substrate. By shorting the microstrip line and ground plane of the antenna with a MWCNT via, the return loss of the antenna is improved. The peak gain of 3.3dB at 6.2 THz and a gain greater than 3dB in 5.66–6.43 THz band is obtained for antenna loaded without MWCNT. Both the antennas achieved a −10dB impedance bandwidth of 12.83%. Gain, directivity and radiation efficiency of the proposed antennas are compared with conventional transparent patch antennas and graphene based non-transparent antennas. The antenna structures are simulated by using finite element method based electromagnetic simulator-Ansys HFSS.     

Nanoantenna arrays for infrared detection with single-metal nanothermocouples

Antenna-coupled nanothermocouples (ACNTC) for infrared detection have been widely studied. It has been shown that dipole antennas receive incident infrared radiation, and radiation-induced antenna currents heat the hot junction of the nanothermocouple, thus producing an electrical potential by the Seebeck effect. We have already demonstrated small thermopiles constructed from the series connection of ACNTCs. Here we study the infrared response of large-scale (N > 500) nanoantenna arrays constructed from ACNTCs, where the antennas are spaced over a range of 25–300% of the incident wavelength. COMSOL simulations show temperature oscillations, and both simulations and experiments show corresponding open-circuit voltage oscillations as a function of antenna spacing. When the distance between the antennas is less than 2λ, constructive and deconstructive interference leads to an enhancement or attenuation of the antenna currents. Our simulations and experimental results are in excellent agreement, and show that the open-circuit voltage response of the array depends on the inter-column distance of the array and the separation between the hot and cold junctions. Furthermore, we report polarization- and array-size-dependent measurements to confirm that the responses of the arrays are the result of the heating of the hot junction by the radiation-induced antenna currents.     

加绕变升角宽频带椭圆螺旋天线

 椭圆螺旋天线的结构比传统的圆柱螺旋天线更加适合于卫星通信的终端,然而由于其圆极化特性变差而限制了其广泛应用。把改善轴向模螺旋天线辐射特性的两种方法结合起来应用于椭圆螺旋天线,提出了带有附加螺旋线的变升角轴向模椭圆螺旋天线。以一个5圈、短轴长轴之比为0.65的椭圆螺旋天线为例,用FEKO软件对其辐射特性进行了仿真。结果表明,这种方法提高了椭圆螺旋天线的方向性系数,同时具有较好的圆极化特性。在2.2~4.2 GHz频率范围内,最高增益为12.86 dB,比单绕均匀升角的椭圆螺旋天线提高了1.2 dB。     

A metamaterial for directive emission

In this paper we present the first results on emission in metamaterial. We show how the specific properties of metallic composite material can modify the emission of an embedded source. We show that under proper conditions the energy radiated by a source embedded in a slab of metamaterial will be concentrated in a narrow cone in the surrounding media. An experimental demonstration of this effect is given in the microwave domain, and the constructed antenna has a directivity equivalent to the best reported results with photonic-crystal-based antennas but using a completely different physical principle [B. Temelkuaran, J. Appl. Phys. 87, 603 (2000)]].     

Analysis and design of ring-resonator integrated hemi-elliptical lens antenna at terahertz frequency

In this paper, a novel lens integrated ring-resonator microstrip antenna is analyzed and simulated at 600 GHz. A mathematical model to compute the directivity of this kind of the antenna has been developed and the directivity of the antenna has been computed which is 18 dBi. The proposed model has been simulated by using CST Microwave Studio a commercially available simulator based on finite integral technique and similar result has been obtained. Further, the directivity of the antenna has also been computed by using the techniques reported in the literature and in this case also we have obtained the similar result. Later, a probe-fed patch integrated lens antenna has also been investigated to validate the correctness of the numerical method. To find the potential advantages of this kind of the structure, the ? 10 dB impedance bandwidth of the antenna has been compared to a lens-integrated probe-fed microstrip patch antenna and a significant enhancement in the bandwidth has been observed.