Tube-contacted slab dielectric waveguide for millimeter waves

A tube-contacted slab dielectric waveguide is proposed as a transmission line for millimeter wave applications. An analysis of the propagation characteristics is presented along with the results of an experimental investigation. The analysis uses the effective dielectric method to obtain the field distribution and the phase constant of the mode. A waveguide was fabricated for 35 GHz and the field distribution, propagation loss, guide wavelength, the field distribution at a bend, and the bending loss were measured. The results agree well with theoretical predictions. The propagation loss is 1.52 dB/m. Variations of the field distribution at the transition from the straight guide to the bend were measured, and the results are used to show that the waveguide can be used for a low-dispersion flexible transmission line or for high power transmissions.