Integrated terahertz beamformers based on leaky-wave approaches

Abstract

We review recent approaches to terahertz (THz) wavefront engineering using leaky-wave antennas (LWAs). The use of LWAs offers high gain, low loss, and flat profile antenna implementation. Here we consider two types of LWAs: slow- and fast-wave types. We use a metal corrugation for the former and parallel metal plates for the latter, both reasonable for the THz regime. Further, we extend the beamforming concept using LWA to mimic arbitrary diffraction optics and demonstrate focusing and Bessel beamforming. The proposed approach benefits most real-world THz applications in sensing and communication.