Reconfigurable Plasma Antenna Array by Using Fluorescent Tube for Wi-Fi Application

Abstract

This paper presents a new design of reconfigurable plasma antenna array using commercial fluorescent tube. A round shape reconfigurable plasma antenna array is proposed to collimate beam radiated by an omnidirectional antenna (monopole antenna) operating at 2.4 GHz in particular direction. The antenna design consists of a monopole antenna located at the center of a circular aluminum ground. The monopole antenna is surrounded by a cylindrical shell of conducting plasma. The plasma shield consists of 12 commercial fluorescent tubes aligned in series containing a mixture of argon gas and mercury vapor which upon electrification forms plasma columns. The plasma behaves as a conductor and acts as a reflector in radiation, in the condition where plasma frequency, ωp is higher than the operating frequency.