Photonics-based all-dielectric horn antenna for millimeter waves in 5G and 6G applications

Abstract

This work introduces a cost-effective photonics-based approach for fast-implementing horn antennas operating in millimeter-wave frequencies (mm-waves). Instead of using conventional metallic guiding structures, we employed an all-dielectric quarter-wave stack Bragg mirror photonic design. As a proof-of-concept, we used five semi-spherical air-polylactic acid bilayers stacked with a conical (horn-like) aperture fabricated through a one-step 3D printing process. The prototype, with a bandwidth of 2.6 GHz (from 24.96 to 27.50 GHz), was fed by the WR28 standard waveguide mechanism with measured gain ranging from 10.6 to 13.9 dBi (between 25 and 27 GHz). These outcomes demonstrate our idea's suitability for alternative design of high-frequency antennas for future 5G and 6G wireless communications systems, overcoming the precision constraints of traditional manufacturing methods.