Dielectric Resonator Antennas (DRAs) have been proposed in the 1980’s as alternatives to conventional low-gain printed-circuit antennas. They are typically composed of a low-loss dielectric block mounted on a ground plane. Their operation exploits the high “radiation losses” of open dielectric resonators operating in their low-order modes. DRAs are characterized by a small size, wide bandwidth, simple feeding and design versatility. Their most decisive advantage however may be their high radiation efficiency when realised with low-loss dielectric materials. This property is most relevant in the millimetre-wave frequency range, where conductor losses become significant in conventional printed antennas. The presentation will firstly review some of the DRA-related activities at the University of Adelaide, with examples of wideband geometries, advanced feeding methods, multi-mode multi-function designs and high-efficiency millimetre-wave devices. A second part of the talk will be dedicated to the extension of the DRA principle towards terahertz and optical frequencies. The design and manufacture of a reflectarray of dielectric resonator nano-antennas operating at visible frequencies will be presented, with experimental validation as deflecting meta-surface for 633 nm wavelength light.

Refreshments will be served.

Speaker(s): , , ,

Location:
Room: MD 267
Bldg: MacDonald Engineering Building
817 Sherbrooke St. W.
Montreal, Quebec
H3A 0C3