A microwave Gaussian-beam launcher with an active aperture-blockageto control the spot-size of the beam

A method of controlling the spot-size of a focused microwave Gaussian-beam using an active aperture-blockage is described. The Gaussian-beam launcher consists of an open-ended scalar-horn with a dielectric hyperhemisphere at its aperture. Also included is an AgI-pellet at the aperture-center with a provision to heat it with an external dc source. The scalar-horn plus the dielectric lens launch a Gaussian-beam; and, the AgI pellet when heated, becomes a superionic conductor offering an aperture-blockage. This results in a variation of the spot-size of the emergent-beam. Theoretical results and experimental data are furnished and compared