Optimization of the E-plane loaded rectangular waveguide for low-loss propagation

Abstract

The insertion of vertical slabs in a metallic rectangular waveguide distorts the power distribution of the waveguide, producing new modes and modifying the existing ones. The resulting waveguide, known as E-plane loaded rectangular waveguide, is studied in this paper, focusing the attention on the TE-type modes in a symmetrical case. A quasi-TE10 is found which may confine the energy in the central air region by suitably choosing the dielectric slabs' dimensions. An algorithm to optimize these dimensions is proposed in order to maximize the confinement of power in the air region and minimize the attenuation of the mode. This minimization is specially important at high frequencies, where the ohmic losses and the dielectric absorption become extremely high. This paper includes an example at THz frequencies and presents the design of several devices using the E-plane loaded rectangular waveguide.