Arrays of Point and Line Sources, and Optimization

Abstract

Antennas, which are devices for transmitting or receiving electromagnetic energy, can take on a variety of physical forms. They can be as simple as a single radiating dipole, or far more complicated structures consisting, for example, of nets of wires, two-dimensional patches of various geometric shapes, or solid conducting surfaces. Regardless of the particular nature of the device, the goal is always to transmit or receive electromagnetic signals in a desirable and efficient manner. For example, an antenna designed for use in aircraft landing often is required to transmit a signal which is contained in a narrow horizontal band but a wide vertical one.