Theoretical modeling of resonant wavelength in 3-layered plasma antennas

ABSTRACT

In contrast to conventional metallic antennas, the resonant wavelength of a plasma dipole antenna is very much different from the predicted ∼λ/2 rule. In this paper, an implicit relation is derived to calculate the effective wavelength λ_eff and thus the resonant wavelength of a single element 3-layered plasma dipole antenna made of a glass tube filled with the plasma gas. An explicit relation is then derived in terms of the λ using reasonable assumptions. It is shown that this relation could be modeled by a linear formula λ_eff  = m₁+m₂λ in which the coefficients m₁ and m₂ depend on the geometry and material properties. Comparison of the results from the full-wave electromagnetic simulation, the numerical solution of the surface wave dispersion equations and the derived relations shows a reasonable match, verifying the theoretical approach.

KEYWORDS:

• Plasma antenna
• resonant wavelength
• surface waves

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.