Metamaterial inspired featherlight artificial plasma horn antenna for astronomical and communication applications

Abstract

In this article, we introduce a novel type of horn antenna constructed using artificial plasma sheets. This metamaterial inspired negative permittivity antenna fabricated using thin metallic wires in a specialized manner is observed to have same radiation performance of an equivalent conventional metallic horn structure. This novel plasma antenna can replace the conventional one in all microwave applications. The featherlight weight and the ability to remove the problems related with wind resistance and rain accumulation of this new structure may result in a rethinking of the use of horn antennas in astronomical data collection.