Applications of the Talbot Array Illuminator in the Millimeter-Wave Band

We propose and experimentally examine several novel millimeter-wave applications of the Talbot effect. First, several different millimeter-wave Talbot array illuminator (TAIL) configurations are examined. The TAILs are formed by combining a lens and a phase grating with different antenna array layers. Subsequently, a second phase grating is introduced at an appropriate location beyond the array layer to arrive at an architecture that is suitable for use as an active transmit antenna. Finally, with the addition of a second lens to collect the energy beyond the transmit structure, a spatial power amplification architecture is presented.