Design of Novel VLASOV-type Antennas for High Power Microwaves (HPM)

Summary form only given. In this paper, Vlasov antenna is studied systematically by the moment method (MM) and finite difference time domain (FDTD). Based on the simulation results, the process of mode conversion in the waveguide and radiation through the aperture is described. The measurement results agree well with the simulation. Based on our study, the drawbacks of traditional Vlasov antenna design include: (1) hard to get higher gain (typically no more than 15 dB); (2) with bad main lobe symmetry and shape; (3) with a high level sidelobe; (4) breakdown on the cut edge; (5) complex radome design. In this paper, we propose several novel antennas which can achieve better radiation performance. To identify, we call them novel Vlasov-type antennas. Compared with the traditional designs, the antenna gain has been increased bv 6 dB, and the first side lobe level has been decreased by 13 dB. Finally, a practical design of novel Vlasov type antenna for X-band is given, as well as the experimental results for the manufactured antenna.