Off-Axis Measurements on a mm-Wave Optically Controlled Lens Antenna

We present initial experimental data demonstrating the off-axis scanning performance and beam fidelity of a range of optically controlled transmission-type photo-injected Fresnel zone plate antenna (tx-piFZPA) designs at 94 GHz, based on a novel architecture. Several tx-piFZPA designs were characterized at a range of off-axis beam locations, up to 45 ° from boresight. Initial results indicate scan losses up to 5 dB at 10 ° deflection and increasing up to 12 dB at 45 ° deflection, across several tx-piFZPA designs. In addition, measured tx-piFZPAs have demonstrated highly repeatable and precise beam control, achieving a minimum pointing resolution of Δθ = 0.005°. The piFZPA method proves to be a promising cost-effective nonmechanical beam-steering solution for high millimeter- and terahertz-frequency applications.