Microstrip circuit analog of a complex diffraction phenomenon

This letter presents a methodology to reproduce at microwave frequencies the physical behavior of certain diffraction structures that have been investigated in the optics community. The methodology will be exemplified with a microstrip circuit implementation of a transmission line system exhibiting an electromagnetic response that mimics the response of simple and compound diffraction gratings. The identification of such “bridge” circuit analogies could be very fruitful for the understanding and development of design strategies to devise practical components based on phenomena employed in the affine areas of optics and microwave engineering.