Ultra-Wide Band Polarization Converter Based on Ultra-Thin Bi-Layer Slot Structures

Abstract

An ultrathin linear-to-linear polarization converter exhibiting a high polarization conversion ratio (PCR) in an ultrawide bandwidth is fabricated on a printed circuit board (PCB). It is based on a bilayer slot structure that is electrically connected by via holes. Front- and back-sided slot structures are arranged in mutually orthogonal directions and function as receivers and radiators, respectively. The via holes provide a route for the transfer of electromagnetic energy received by the front-sided slot structures to the back-sided slot structures and radiate an electromagnetic wave having polarization orthogonal to that of the input electromagnetic wave. Moreover, two slots are employed for each unit cell design, and the locations of the via holes are carefully determined to achieve broadband polarization conversion. The via-hole positions that change the surface current distribution around the slot apertures enable the control of multiple resonance frequencies. Via holes are positioned to make first and second resonance frequencies that are blue-shifted toward the third resonance frequency, which broadens the operational band of the perfect polarization conversion. The 0.8 mm thick polarization converter exhibits PCR greater than 99% in the frequency band from 24.5 to 47 GHz.