Ultralow loss dielectric ribbon waveguide for millimeter/submillimeter waves

Abstract

By using high dielectric constant and low-loss dielectric material such as quartz, alumina, or sapphire and by specifically configuring the waveguide structure, we have succeeded in designing a waveguide for the millimeter/submillimeter wavelength range which yields an attenuation constant for the dominant mode that is more than 100 times below that for an equivalent circular dielectric rod with identical cross-sectional area. This waveguide takes the form of a thin dielectric ribbon surrounded by lossless dry air and possesses an attenuation constant as low as 20 dB/km. Analytical results on the attenuation constant and field extent of the dominant mode on this ribbon structure for several promising materials are given. Experiments have also been performed on ribbon guides made with rexolite. Excellent agreement was found between predicted and measured results.

Subwavelength plastic fiber for terahertz wave guiding

“…Even though the current reports show that the metal-based guiding technique is the best solution that meet the need of low attenuation, we find that a simple plastic wire with a subwavelength diameter, similar to an optical fiber, can also provide a low guiding attenuation under the single-mode operation. The concept of such low-loss waveguiding has been previously demonstrated both in the microwave [19][20][21] and optical frequencies [22]. Recently, we have successfully demonstrate a low-loss plastic fiber for THz waveguiding [23] for the first time.…”

Directive planar antenna array fed by dielectric waveguide for WiFi applications

“…Therefore, as a low‐loss and low‐cost transmission medium, the dielectric waveguide has been gaining great popularity as the feeding substrate for antenna arrays in recent years . Several decades ago, dielectric transmission lines such as the Goubau line and dielectric strips were already known for their very low transmission loss at higher frequencies, at the expense of a more complicated mechanical mounting structure and a rather large extension of the fields into free space . Later, grounded dielectric rods and rectangular strips (the so‐called image guide) were investigated, also showing a quite low attenuation .…”

Linear nonuniform antenna array of planar elements fed by a dielectric waveguide

“…Several decades ago, dielectric transmission lines such as the Goubau line and dielectric strips were known for very low transmission loss at higher frequencies at the expense of a more complicated mechanical mounting structure and a rather large extension of the fields into free space . Later, grounded dielectric rods and rectangular strips (the so‐called image guide) were investigated, also showing a quite low attenuation .…”