Parametric study of a reconfigurable plasma antenna array with linear embedding via Green’s operators

We report the numerical analysis of a plasma antenna array comprised of cylindrical plasma discharges and a conventional half-wavelength metallic dipole. In particular, the 3D radiation pattern, gain and impedance of the antenna are determined and compared for different values of the plasma density. To reduce the computational load by exploiting the translational symmetry of the structure, we have carried out the simulations with the linear embedding via Green's operators (LEGO) method. Our results suggest that the device performs better as a directive antenna at lower plasma densities, that is, when the plasma is less reflective.