Metamaterial-based guiding structures and leaky-wave antennas Contact: H. Kumric
The concept of Composite Right-handed-Left-handed transmission lines
(CRLH transmission lines) is widely used for different microwave
devices such as directional couplers, hybrid junctions and leaky-wave
antennas. Most published designs are based on planar structures and there
are very few studies that deal with waveguide structures capable of
handling high power levels. At IPF Stuttgart, investigations on waveguide
based components, numerical simulations, design and measurements confirmed
the theoretical predictions and development of components for applications
in plasma physics is underway.
Depending on the type of coupling (capacitive or inductive), the structure
in the waveguide supports either the backward-wave propagation or the
forward-wave propagation. If the guiding structure is optimized at the
resonant frequency, the existence of a third mode of propagation becomes
interesting: the mode with infinite wavelength. Combining that property with
slots in the waveguide wall, line antennas with broadside direction of
radiation can be designed.
