Analytical solution for a leaky-wave antenna

An ideal model of an inductive-grid leaky-wave antenna is analyzed, and the rigorous solution for the radiation pattern obtained. This rigorous pattern is compared with the approximate pattern obtained from the Fourier transform of the approximate aperture distribution. The agreement between the two is found to be very good and hence justifies the use of the simpler Fourier transform method. The analysis also sheds light on the significance of the leakywave pole for this class of antennas.