Beyond-Decade Ultrawideband Quad-Ridge Flared Horn With Dielectric Load From 1 to 20 GHz

In this article, we present a novel dielectrically loaded quad-ridge flared horn (QRFH) as a reflector feed with beyond-decade ultrawideband performance. The dielectric is machined in a low-loss, space-grade polyimide specified with low outgassing for a vacuum environment. The feed covers 1–20 GHz bandwidth with a measured band-average input reflection of −13.6 and 41.5 dB isolation between two orthogonal polarized ports. Predicted performance in a paraboloidal reflector with a 60° half-subtended angle is 62% aperture efficiency average over the band. The ridges of the horn are designed with analytic-spline-hybrid 3-D profiles with thickness flaring outwards toward the feed aperture, improving low-frequency polarization properties. The QRFH was manufactured in four quarters for accurate ridge-to-ridge alignment and a reduced number of interfaces for good thermal properties in cryogenic applications. A prototype feed has been installed and tested with promising results in one of the 6 m offset Gregorian reflectors of the Allen Telescope Array (ATA) located at the Hat Creek Observatory, Hat Creek, CA, USA.