NEC-LIST: Re: Plasma Antennas

>>Here are some details of a commercial plasma steering antenna,
in which the plasma is used as a reflector and not as active
radiating element. The technology is similar to plasma TV
displays; that-is down at the semiconductive elements.
Interesting reading.

http://www.plasmaantennas.com/Howdoesitwork.html
plasma is an ionised gas which, when highly energised, behaves
as a conductor. A plasma antenna generates localised
concentrations of plasma to form a plasma mirror which
deflects an RF beam launched from a central feed located at
the focus of the mirror. An ionised region, or solid state
plasma, can be generated in silicon using electronically
controlled devices (plasma diodes) that are positioned between
closely spaced metal surfaces which constrain the beam.

v/r
Kenneth Carrigan
Electromagnetic Engineer,
Anteon, Systems Engineering Group >>

--------------------------------------

Thanks for the info Kenneth.

I still don't get it though. Is there some application--other than a low RCS
one--where a plasma reflector/antenna makes sense, or rather more sense, than
other methods? Most beam steering is not rocket science these days, and
switching gets pretty cheap with conventional mechanical and/or electronic steering.

Again, some enlightenment on the noise spectrum of the radiating plasma
display, and the power needed, would be helpful.

I certainly found this much helpful already. Interesting.

73,
Chip N1IR

-- 
The NEC-List mailing list <nec-list_at_gweep.ca>
http://www.gweep.ca/mailman/listinfo.cgi/nec-list