A precise angular spectrum of plane-waves diffraction theory for leaky wave materials

A computationally efficient diffraction theory technique is presented which very accurately describes leaky wave propagation in {100}-cut GaAs. This technique combines the angular spectrum of the plane-waves diffraction theory with the slowness surface measurement method of Murray and Ash [1977 Ultrasonics Symposium Proceedings, IEEE Cat. No. 77CH1264-1SU (IEEE, New York, 1977), p. 823] and extends them to deal with the anisotropic loss exhibited by the leaky wave. Both the magnitude and phase of beam profiles are predicted with great precision for beams propagating over long distances and through metallic grating structures. The implications of these results for acoustic charge transport devices on GaAs are discussed.