Radiation properties of slot and dipole elements on layered substrates

Abstract

This paper presents calculations of the radiation properties of slot and dipole antennas on electrically thick, grounded, dielectric substrates. These structures offer the possibility of simplifying the fabrication of imaging array antenna structures which operate at millimeter wave and far infrared freqeuncies. They also offer the possiblility of good beam patterns which can be tailored to suit a specific need. We present an analysis of practical layered structures which have beam patterns that are suitable for millimeter wave and far-infrared imaging array applications. We discuss considerations of the choice of dielectric layers with regard to beam patterns, surface wave losses, and the type of element used. The effects of dielectric and ground plane losses in high-gain structures are also considered. Efficiencies and beam patterns for three and five layer structures are presented, although the analysis techniques are extendable to an arbitrary number of layers. It is found that in combination with the use of a twin element configuration, both slot and dipole antennas can overcome the problems of losses to surface waves in the substrate. Consequently, they can be made to efficiently radiate to air on these layered dielectric structures.