Terahertz High-Gain Offset Reflector Antennas Using SiC and CFRP Material

Abstract

Two high-gain terahertz (THz) offset reflector antennas are proposed. The silicon carbide material and thermally stable carbon fiber-reinforced plastic are selected as reflectors for high specific stiffness and low thermal expansion coefficient which are helpful for space use. Dual polarization is achieved by introducing a wire-grid polarizer which can separate the two THz polarization waves provided by multimode horns fabricated in electroforming technology. Furthermore, three-coordinate test system and theodolites are employed to detect the surface error of dishes and alignment of antenna subsystem. The physical optics analysis based on the measured reflector surface data is introduced referring to the large aperture antenna patterns by virtue of its accuracy and high efficiency. The results of this novel method are compared to that of the near-field test. Measurements show that the sidelobe levels (SLLs) of the single polarization silicon-based reflector are below −32 dB while the gain is 55.3 dB at 330 GHz, and the dual polarization carbon fiber-reinforced plastic reflector antenna suppresses the SLLs to −28 and −29 dB in two principal planes while the gain is 57.2 dB at the same frequency, respectively. The good performances of the proposed antennas indicate the potential for the application of space THz radiometer.