A review of the principles of holographic power combining at millimeter and submillimeter-wave frequencies

We present a review of the principles of holographic power combining, a new concept for power combining at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths. This approach which is based on the principles of holography utilizes a computer-generated hologram to transform the wavefront radiated by an array of sources into a plane wave, and establishes spatial power combining. The primary advantages of this method are its scalability up to arbitrarily high frequencies, high combining efficiency, and broad-band characteristics. Moreover, it is shown that a holographic power combiner has a simple structure, and its design shows no dependence on the number of sources. With regard to the above mentioned advantages, this power-combining technique can replace many of the common methods of power combining and open the way to all-solid-state power sources for millimeter and submillimeter waves