Propagation characteristics of leaky waves on a 2D periodic leaky-wave antenna

Abstract

A two-dimensional (2D) periodic leaky-wave antenna consisting of a periodic distribution of rectangular patches on a grounded dielectric substrate, excited by a narrow slot in the ground plane, is studied here. The TM0 surface wave that is normally supported by a grounded dielectric substrate is perturbed by the presence of the periodic patches to produce radially-propagating leaky waves. In addition to making a novel microwave antenna structure, this design is motivated by the phenomena of directive beaming and enhanced transmission observed in plasmonic structures in the optical regime.