2D Physical Optics Analysis of the Focal Region of Parallel-Plate Waveguide Lenses

A physical optics (PO) method for computing the focal-region fields of a parallel-plate waveguide (PPW) lens is presented. A simplified delay line model is used to represent the delay section between inner and outer lens profile. The lens is analyzed by assuming a plane wave incident on the outer contour. For a given lens geometry, the resulting maximum field loci at different angles of incidence are reported. The close agreement with full-wave results by a commercial simulator validates the applicability of the underlying two-dimensional (2D) lens model. The developed tool is several orders of magnitude faster than the general purpose full-wave simulation and therefore presents an efficient auxiliary tool for the design of lens feed networks.