An experimental study of simulated plasma-covered slots on cylinders and cones

The effect of a plasma on the radiation characteristics of slot and gap apertures located on cylinders and cones has been studied by means of a plasma simulation technique. The relative index of refraction of less than unity between the plasma and free space was maintained for the model by an analog tank in which free space was represented by a high dielectric constant liquid and plasma by a lower dielectric material. The antenna pattern of an axial slot on a cylinder with a simulated plasma covering had good agreement with theory for radiation in the equatorial plane, as did the antenna pattern for a simulated plasma-covered, center-fed, cylindrical antenna. The experimental pattern of a cavity-fed circumferential slot on a cone-hemisphere covered with simulated plasma is also presented.