Scaled model measurements of the sandwiched V-antenna

Abstract

At frequencies above a few hundred GHz, waveguide mixer blocks become extremely difficult to build, so open structure feeds may be more appropriate. One promising planar antenna structure, which can easily be integrated with SIS junctions, is the sandwiched V-antenna. The antenna is completely enclosed in dielectric by placing it between substrate and superstrate blocks. Using a model scaled to a center frequency of 10 GHz, we investigated the beam pattern as a function of frequency, and measured its dependence on gaps between the super-and substrates. We plan to test the structure at a frequency of 345 GHz and to compare it with waveguide horn antennas for possible use in submillimeter astronomical receivers. The antenna patterns and analysis in this work are substantially more extensive than earlier published results.