On the Full-Wave Simulation of Large, Multi-scale Leaky Wave Metasurface Antennas

In recent years, there has been a notable surge in exploring metamaterials, revealing their diverse and advantageous responses applicable across various domains. Our specific focus lies in Leaky Wave Metasurface (MTS) antennas, which operate by converting traveling surface waves on the antenna, typically excited by a near-field source, into free space radiation waves through a leaky wave effect. Structurally, these antennas consist of a grounded dielectric layer with metallic pixels printed on the top surface in a sub-wavelength lattice configuration (M. Faenzi et al.,”Metasurface Antennas: New Models, Applications and Realizations,” Sci Rep, vol. 9, p. 10178, 2019. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46522-z). At each lattice site, precise adjustments of geometrical parameters are made to replicate the local reactance profile essential for constructive interference of leaky waves in free space. This careful design results in a continuous reactance pattern across the overall aperture, facilitated by several thousand unit elements.