Duncan A. Robertson

The generation of free-space Laguerre-Gaussian modes at millimetre-wave frequencies by use of a spiral phaseplate

Abstract A spiral phaseplate is used at millimetre-wave frequencies to transform a free-space, fundamental Hermite-Gaussian mode into a Laguerre-Gaussian mode with an azimuthal phase component. A ray optics analysis confirms that the Laguerre-Gaussian beam produced has a total angular momentum equivalent to lħ per photon.

A kilowatt pulsed 94 GHz electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometer with high concentration sensitivity, high instantaneous bandwidth, and low dead time

We describe a quasioptical 94 GHz kW pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometer featuring pi/2 pulses as short as 5 ns and an instantaneous bandwidth of 1 GHz in nonresonant sample holders operating in induction mode and at low temperatures. Low power pulses can be as short as 200 ps and kilowatt pulses as short as 1.5 ns with timing resolution of a few hundred picoseconds. Phase and frequency can be changed on nanosecond time scales and complex high power pulse sequences can be run at repetition rates up to 80 kHz with low dead time. We demonstrate that the combination of high power pulses at high frequencies and nonresonant cavities can offer excellent concentration sensitivity for orientation selective pulsed electron double resonance (double electron-electron resonance), where we demonstrate measurements at 1 microM concentration levels.

The generation of Bessel beams at millimetre-wave frequencies by use of an axicon

An axicon is used to generate a Bessel beam at 90 GHz in the millimetre-wave region of the spectrum. The Bessel beam has a central intensity maximum of approximately 4 mm in diameter that is maintained over a propagation distance greater than 60 mm

Compact real-time (video rate) passive millimeter-wave imager

This paper describes a novel real time mechanically scanned passive millimeter wave imager. This imager produces a field of view of 40 degree(s) X 20 degree(s) with diffraction limited performance and a 25 Hz frame update rate. It is relatively inexpensive because the scene is imaged using 32 direct detection receivers with a frequency of operation from 28 - 33 GHz. The compact antenna uses polarization techniques to fold the beam and is constructed from readily available low cost materials.

Mechanically scanned real-time passive millimeter-wave imaging at 94 GHz

It is well known that millimetre wave systems can penetrate poor weather and battlefield obscurants far better than infrared or visible systems. Thermal imaging in this band offers the opportunity for passive surveillance and navigation, allowing military operations in poor weather. We have previously reported a novel real time mechanically scanned passive millimetre wave imager operating at 35GHz and in this paper a 94GHz variant will be described. This 94GHz imager has a field-of-view of 60° x 30° and has diffraction limited performance over the central two thirds of this field-of-view. It is relatively inexpensive because the scene is imaged using a linear array of direct detection receivers and compact folded optics. The receiver array has been constructed using indium phosphide monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs) allowing high gain and low noise figure to be achieved. The compact optics consist of a polarisation sensitive mirror and a Faraday rotator. readily The mirror is constructed from expanded polystyrene, supporting a printed copper grid etched onto a PTFE/glass fibre substrate. These materials are low cost and readily available. The Faraday rotator is made from a commercial grade plasto-ferrite sandwiched between antireflection coatings. The optics produce a conical scan pattern and image processing is used to generate a raster scan pattern and to perform gain and offset corrections.

Design of High-Performance Millimeter Wave and Sub-Millimeter Wave Quasi-Optical Isolators and Circulators

Faraday rotators using permanently magnetized ferrite materials are used to make quasi-optical isolators and circulators at millimeter wave and sub-millimeter wave frequencies that have far higher performance than their waveguide equivalents. This paper demonstrates state-of-the-art performance for four-port quasi-optical circulators with 60-dB isolation, 0.2-dB insertion loss, and better than 80-dB return loss for devices centered at 94 GHz. A method is presented for the accurate characterization of the complex permeability and permittivity of permanently magnetized ferrites via a series of frequency and polarization dependent transmission and reflection measurements. The dielectric and magnetic parameters for the sample are determined by fitting theoretical curves to the measured data. These fitted parameters are then used in a model for a complete quasi-optical Faraday rotator, including matching layers, allowing the accurate design and fabrication of these devices for any specific operational frequency band in the millimeter wave and sub-millimeter wave regime. Examples are given showing typical results and demonstrating how temperature cycling can significantly improve the temperature stability of these devices, while allowing fine tuning of the center frequency. We also indicate the performance possible at higher frequencies to above 1 THz and outline performance of truly planar isolators where lossy polarizer material is built into the Faraday rotator matching structure

Compact Wideband Corrugated Feedhorns With Ultra-Low Sidelobes for Very High Performance Antennas and Quasi-Optical Systems

The corrugated or scalar feedhorn has found many applications in millimeter wave and sub-millimeter wave systems due to its high beam symmetry, relatively low sidelobe levels and strong coupling to the fundamental mode Gaussian beam. However, for applications such as millimeter wave cosmology, space-based experiments, or even high performance imaging, there is a generic requirement to reduce the size of horns whilst maintaining very high levels of performance. In this paper we describe a general analytic methodology for the design of compact dual-profiled corrugated horns with extremely low sidelobe levels. We demonstrate that it is possible to achieve

Reducing standing waves in quasi-optical systems by optimal feedhorn design

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Use of a portable topographic mapping millimetre wave radar at an active lava flow

dB sidelobe levels, over wide bandwidths with short horns, which we believe represents state-of-the-art performance. We also demonstrate experimentally a simple scalar design that operates over wide bandwidths and can achieve sidelobes of better than

Optical Modulation of Millimeter-Wave Beams Using a Semiconductor Substrate

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