Mechanically scanned leaky-wave antenna based on a topological one-way waveguide

We propose a uniform backfire-to-endfire leaky-wave antenna (LWA) based on a topological one-way waveguide under external bias magnetic field. We systematically analyze the dispersion, showing that the proposed structure supports leaky mode arisen from total internal reflection. By means of tuning frequency or magnetic field, we obtain fixed-bias frequency and fixed-frequency bias LWA with continuous beam scanning from backward, broadside to forward direction. More importantly, we, for the first time, demonstrate that this proposed LWA shows mechanical tunability, allowing us to manipulate the radiation direction from backward, broadside to forward direction by mechanically tuning the air layer thickness. The simulated results show that our system exhibits super low 3dB beam width, high radiation efficiency as well as high antenna gain. Being provided such multiple controlled (especially mechanically) beam scanning manners, the present LWA paves an advanced approach for continuous beam scanning, holding a great potential for applications in modern communication and radar system.