A 2D Gaussian beam launcher applied in parallel plate waveguide field mapping systems

Abstract

Abstract3D Gaussian beam generation techniques have been studied by many researchers, while the problem of 2D Gaussian beam generations have not been addressed fully. However, 2D Gaussian beams are still useful in research and applications. This article presents the mechanism, design, simulation, and measurement of a 2D Gaussian beam launcher, which allows the easy control of the width and the location of Gaussian beam waist. The proposed Gaussian beam launcher consists of a radiator array fed with the designable excitation phase and magnitude to each radiator, so as to generate the necessary boundary condition that the Gaussian beam can be excited and propagate. Both simulation and measurement results are nearly identical with the profile of the lowest order 2D Gaussian beam mode. The proposed 2D Gaussian beam launcher is suitable as the excitation source of parallel plate waveguide measurement systems. By integrating tunable components, it can be easily extended in the future to control Gaussian beam parameters dynamically.