Analysis of Complex Dielectric Phase Gratings by Hybrid FEM-Gaussian Mode Expansion Technique

Hybrid technique of finite element method (FEM) and Gaussian mode expansion method is implemented for the analysis of transmission property of dielectric phase gratings used in holographic power combining systems. It takes advantages of the versatility of FEM and the simplicity of the mode expansion method. Apparently, this hybrid method is well suited for the analysis of phase gratings with complex profiles, which provide more degrees of structural freedom than those of classical rectangular groove gratings. The transmitted fields of an array of two and three fundamental Gaussian beams through the multi-stepped and curved gratings are calculated by the hybrid method. Numerical results show that much less phase distortion can be fulfilled for the reconstructed pseudo-plane wave by the modified phase gratings, especially the curved ones. This is advantageous for improving the combining efficiency in spatial millimeter wave and sub-millimeter wave power combining systems.