Modelling of double-layer geodesic lenses for space instruments

Lens antennas make use of a lens to modify the field distribution at the aperture of the antenna, which is fed by a single or multiple sources. The lens is employed to transform the waves arriving from the sources into a desired radiation pattern.

Conventional lenses are implemented with dielectric materials, however, these dielectrics introduce unaffordable losses at high frequencies, where fully-metallic configurations are preferred.Geodesic lenses can be implemented with fully-metallic configurations. A geodesic lens is a surface lens that mimics, with a third dimensional operator, an equivalent refractive index.

In these lenses, the waves are propagating only in the air, making these solutions very efficient. These lenses have been investigated by the team of Prof.

Quevedo-Teruel at KTH, who in 2022 discovered a new type of geodesic lens which make use of double-layers connected through a mirror. At the moment, there are no existing analytical and/or computational tools for their analysis and design. In this project, we will develop two new approaches (analytical and computational) based on geometrical optics.

Our fundamental research will be used to understand the limits of these lenses, and their potential use for space instruments.

Conducting fundamental investigations on this new kind of geodesic lens will enhance the opportunities for a future practical development in other applications, such as communications, automotive radars and scanners.