Dispersion characteristics of dielectric tube waveguide loaded with plasma for leaky wave antenna application

The leaky mode dispersion characteristics (omega - beta) of a Dielectric Tube Waveguide Loaded with Plasma (DTWLP) is analytically solved and numerically computed using Muller's complex root search algorithm with an aim to define its complex propagation constant behaviour. Consequently, complex leaky mode characteristics and its classification as guided mode, reactive mode and antenna mode have been investigated. These modal characteristics reveal wide fundamental antenna mode (TM01) with the variation in plasma density, which can find prospective application in high resolution radar and communication system where "re-tuning" of the antenna to a new frequency or making it electrically invisible is required. A computational cum simulation study is also performed using CST Microwave Studio software, which confirms our analytical findings. (C) 2017 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.