Towards Millimeter-wavelength: Transmission-Mode Fresnel-Zone Plate Lens Antennas using Plastic Material Porosity Control in Homogeneous Medium

We present two transmission-mode dielectric Fresnel-Zone Plate Lens (FZPL) antennas for use within the V-band spectrum. The proposed FZPs are realized via pure plastic material using two different additive manufacturing processes. The proposed FZP lenses are designed with half (λ/2) and quarter (λ/4) phase correction rings at 60-GHz with 30λ(0) diameter, where λ(0) is the free-space wavelength. The permittivity effect for lens sub-zones is controlled by material porosity in cube-shaped structures. The 3D printed zone plate lenses are built using additive manufacturing plastic materials with a thickness of λ(0) and constant relative permittivities equal to 2.76 and 3.6. Different types of antenna with cos(n)-like radiation patterns as lens illuminators are analyzed on the vertical plane of the flat lenses to have a high efficiency over the considered operating band. Simulations and experimental measurements show a reasonably close match, therefore allowing for a reliable predictability.