Physics of radio antennas

TL;DR

This paper reviews the physics and mathematical modeling of radio antennas, especially half-wave dipoles, crucial for detecting ultra-high energy cosmic rays and neutrinos in particle astrophysics.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive summary of the mathematical descriptions and measurement techniques of radio antenna responses, with a focus on a half-wave dipole.

Findings

Mathematical parameterizations of antenna responses are summarized.

Measurements in an electromagnetic chamber validate the models.

Focus on antennas used in ultra-high energy particle detection.

Abstract

Radio antennas are widely used in the field of particle astrophysics in searches for ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECR) and neutrinos (UHEN). It is therefore necessary to properly describe the physics of their response. In this article, we summarize the mathematics underlying parameterizations of radio antennas. As a paradigm, we focus on a half-wave dipole and also discuss measurements of characteristics, performed in an electromagnetic (EM) anechoic chamber.