Plasma-Based Reflective Surface for Polarization Conversion

Abstract

This study analyses, for the first time, the use of reflective surfaces based on magnetized plasmas for polarization conversion. The feasibility of this concept has been assessed via a theoretical model. Moreover, the numerical design of a plasma-based reflective surface is presented. The latter enables linear-to-linear (LP-to-LP) and linear-to-circular polarization (LP-to-CP) conversion over a broad frequency range, from 7.5 to 13 GHz. To this end, the applied magnetic field intensity has to be tunable over 55-140 mT and its direction steerable toward three mutual orthogonal axes. At the same time, the plasma density has to be controlled up to 2 × 1018 m-3. These requirements are consistent with the plasma technology at the state-of-the-art.