Beam-Shaping Technique Based on Generalized Laws of Refraction and Reflection

In this paper, we present a new beam-shaping technique based on the use of a flat lens comprised of phase shift structures (PSSs), designed to reshape the primary beam into a desired one. The beam impinging upon the input port of the lens is regarded as a set of ray tubes, whose refraction characteristics are modified by the PSSs based on the generalized law of refraction to form the desired shaped beam. The proposed method is straightforward to implement and is general purpose in nature. The design procedure of the beam-shaping flat lens is discussed in detail, and two example designs are presented. The simulation and measured results of these case examples confirm that the BSFLs can reshape the primary beams of the feed antennas to the desired flattop or isoflux patterns, for instance. Finally, extensions of the proposed technique to other potential applications are discussed.