Miniature microwave plasma antenna at 2.45 GHz

Faculty of Physics, Sofia University, 5 James Bourchier Blvd., Sofia BG1164, Bulgaria

^a e-mail: kissov@phys.uni-sofia.bg

Received: 29 July 2015
Revised: 11 November 2015
Accepted: 13 November 2015
Published online: 18 December 2015

Abstract

New unique miniature plasma antenna driven by a one microwave signal at frequency of 2.45 GHz is constructed and tested. The length of the antenna (l = 16 mm) is much shorter than the free space wavelength of the signal. The parameters of the plasma column (n = 2.6±0.4×10¹⁸ m^-3, T_e = 3.1±0.2 eV) are obtained from argon emission spectrum by applying the line ratio method. The simulations of this monopole antenna reveal that in the standing wave regime the plasma antenna is effective transmitter at a frequency of 2.45 GHz. The results we obtained show that the shape of the radiation pattern of the plasma antenna depends on the plasma density, the exciter and the distance above the grounded plane.