Design and fabrication of microwave flat lenses using a novel dry powder dot deposition system

Abstract

We describe a new methodology for creating flat lenses operating in the microwave spectrum using a custom designed additive manufacturing system. This method utilizes a novel dry powder 3D printing system to achieve graded index lenses integrated within a structural composite. We also describe a new iterative dot patterning algorithm to achieve a desired graded dielectric distribution, and we compare the iterative dot patterning algorithm to other dot patterning techniques. Computational and experimental results are provided validating the design and fabrication process.

Huygens Metasurface Lens for W-Band Switched Beam Antenna Applications

“…We note that for metasurfaces where the focusing behaviour is not well approximated by geometric optics, it is important to discriminate between the point of maximum amplitude, and the point where all waves converge in phase [15]. In the literature, the response of metasurface lenses is often characterized with an amplitude measurement [45], [46]. This method is simple, as it does not require a coherent detector, and it can be measured with a relatively low scan resolution.…”

Luneburg lens created from distributed water cylinders

“…There are two issues that arise in the result from this simulation. First, a defocusing occurs due to the inability of [8] to achieve a near unity dielectric constant. Second, energy is lost due to dispersion in the water.…”

“…Good et al method [8] of spatial varying dot distribution was modified to distribute the water cylinders. The advantage of this method is uniformity and the fact that the distribution does not need to be initially discretized.…”

“…When the iterative approached is finished, the cylinder distribution should accurately replicate the desired dielectric distribution. A more detailed description can be found in [8].…”