Analysis and experimental investigation of a subwavelength phased parallel-plate waveguide array for manipulation of electromagnetic waves

Phase-gradient metasurfaces can be designed to manipulate electromagnetic waves according to the generalized Snell’s law. Here, we show that a phased parallel-plate waveguide array (PPWA) can be devised to act in the same manner as a phase-gradient metasurface. We derive an analytic model that describes the wave propagation in the PPWA and calculate both the angle and amplitude distribution of the diffracted waves. The analytic model provides an intuitive understanding of the diffraction from the PPWA. We verify the (semi-)analytically calculated angle and amplitude distribution of the diffracted waves by numerical 3-D simulations and experimental measurements in a microwave goniometer.