Transmission Characteristics of Millimeter and Sub-Terahertz Channels Through Spatially Ripple Plasma Sheath Layers

Abstract

The propagation of millimeter-wave (mmW) and sub-terahertz (THz) waves through plasma sheaths is a critical concern for maintaining communication with hypersonic vehicles, yet the impact of complex plasma structures on these high-frequency channels remains insufficiently understood. In this work, we aim to characterize the transmission properties of mmW and sub-THz channels through plasma sheaths with various density profiles and ripple structures, addressing the gap in knowledge regarding the effects of plasma inhomogeneities on channel propagation. We employ an approach combining inductively coupled plasma (ICP) data with transfer matrix methods (TMMs) to model propagation through both flat and rippled plasma layers. Our findings reveal that ripple structures in plasma sheaths significantly affect the channel performance, with periodic ripples reducing the cutoff frequency and introducing frequency-selective behavior, while random ripples cause more unpredictable transmission characteristics. Our results explore the impact of the arrangement of plasma density layers and the parameters of ripple structures (period and amplitude) on channel transmission, group velocity dispersion (GVD), and angular dependence of wave propagation. These results provide crucial insights for the design and optimization of communication systems for hypersonic vehicles, potentially enabling the development of adaptive technologies capable of maintaining reliable communication in complex plasma environments.