Fast Methods for Millimeter-wave Dielectric Resonator and Antenna Analysis and Design

Abstract

Ever-increasing interest in millimeter-wave and terahertz spectrum has prompted research and development of novel passive components working at these frequencies. Compared with the conventional planar components, non-planar dielectric devices become more attractive as frequencies increase due to their higher quality factors and dimensional tolerances. In this thesis, we present fast methods to analyze the millimeter-wave dielectric resonator and rod antenna.

First, an analytical method has been developed to evaluate resonant frequencies, quality factors of the Whispering Gallery Mode (WGM) disk resonators and also the resonator-waveguide coupling. A numerical solver based on full-wave finite element method is implemented to verify the analytical result. This analytical model provides a solution for fast design and optimization of WGM resonators in filter and sensor applications.

Secondly, a fast analytical approach based on local mode theory is introduced to calculate the radiation from tapered dielectric rod antenna. This efficient approximate model consumes much less computing resources and time, and demonstrates good agreements with full-wave numerical results. It supplies a quantitative way to understand the radiation mechanism and interaction between different parts of the antenna. Based on this, design criteria for the taper profile of rod antennas are given.