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A horn-reflector antenna for high-performance submillimetre-wave imaging arrays

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Abstract

We have developed an antenna for high-performance submillimetrewave imaging arrays. The antenna comprises a corrugated horn with an off-axis paraboloidal reflector at its aperture. The corrugated horn is machined directly into two halves of a split aluminium block. This approach avoids electroforming and is compatible with E-plane circuit technology. The resulting antenna is light weight and is ideal for space applications. For compatibility with submillimetre-wave optics, the the behaviour has been calculated by using Gaussian-Hermite modes, and the integrity of the theory has been verified by modelling the behaviour of a 17GHz antenna. The manufacturing procedure has been investigated by machining and testing a horn-reflector antenna for 450–500GHz. Our next step is to extend the technique to 1THz.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge, United Kingdom

    S. Withington, G. Yassin, M. Buffey & C. Norden

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  1. S. Withington
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  2. G. Yassin
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  3. M. Buffey
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  4. C. Norden
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Withington, S., Yassin, G., Buffey, M. et al. A horn-reflector antenna for high-performance submillimetre-wave imaging arrays. Int J Infrared Milli Waves 18, 341–358 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02677924

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02677924

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