A pulsed power driven antenna array for contactless PEF treatment

In this paper, a study of an antenna array for contactless delivery of intense pulsed electric fields (PEF) is presented. Objective is to analyse if antenna arrays can be used effectively to improve flexibility of induced pulsed electric fields (PEFs), additionally allowing for high peak field magnitudes at picosecond rise times, while requiring comparatively low peak excitation voltages per array-element. The studied array is a circular microstrip patch design. The array is modelled and simulated in CST Studio Suite. The patch array can focus fields further away from the array, reaching a peak E-field to peak excitation voltage ratio of 0.64 kV/cm per 1 kV at 20 cm distance. Some issues are found, including the relatively large spot sizes. Finally, some recommendations for future work are given.