# Guidance and absorption of internal energy in Vivaldi antennas using multiple slots, full-band dividers, metamaterials, and distributed resistors

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a new design method for Vivaldi antennas to improve performance by managing residual electromagnetic energy.

## Contribution

A systematic design methodology is introduced to mitigate performance degradation in Vivaldi antennas using metamaterials and distributed resistors.

## Key findings

- The design approach effectively guides and absorbs residual electromagnetic energy using metamaterials and resistors.
- High-gain and wideband antenna performance demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed method.
- Novel full-band power dividers are proposed to efficiently feed antennas and arrays.

## Abstract

In traveling-wave planar-technology antennas, only a certain portion of excitation energy contributes to expected radiation. The remaining significant portion, referred to as residual electromagnetic (EM) energy, has negative effects on overall antenna performance. A systematic design methodology to mitigate such degradation is presented in this paper. The design approach is based on an analysis of structural scattering and radiation mechanism, supported by near-field and partition far-field characterizations. The design process involves the arrangement of primary antenna scattering sections into a form of multi antipodal Vivaldi slots; the identification of desired and undesired EM flows of internal EM energy; the adjustment of radiation flows using inhomogeneous metamaterial structures; and the guidance and absorption of residual energy through dissipation paths with distributed resistors. The effectiveness of the method is demonstrated by the high-gain and wideband antenna performance. Additionally, novel full-band power dividers are proposed to efficiently feed both individual antenna and array.