Leaky-Wave Radiations by Modulating Surface Impedance on Subwavelength Corrugated Metal Structures

Area of Science:

• Electromagnetics and Metamaterials
• Surface Physics and Plasmonics

Background:

• One-dimensional subwavelength corrugated metal structures are known to support spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs).
• Converting these bound SPPs into radiating waves is crucial for practical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a periodically modulated 1D subwavelength corrugated metal structure capable of converting spoof SPPs into propagating waves.
• To achieve leaky-wave radiation at the broadside using a metasurface approach.

Main Methods:

• Designing a 1D subwavelength corrugated metal structure fed by a central slit and waveguide.
• Modulating the surface impedance of the corrugated structure using cosine and triangle-wave functions.
• Performing full-wave simulations and experimental validation.

Main Results:

• Successful conversion of spoof SPPs to propagating waves.
• Demonstration of leaky-wave radiation at the broadside.
• Validation of the proposed design through simulations and measurements.

Conclusions:

• Periodically modulated corrugated metal structures can effectively convert spoof SPPs into radiating waves.
• The metasurface approach with tailored surface impedance modulation enables controlled leaky-wave radiation.
• The validated design offers a promising pathway for novel antenna and wave manipulation technologies.