The dimensions of the radiating surfaces of many Paraboloids
are large compared to the wavelength used and they behave
in a similar way as reflecting mirrors do at optical
frequencies. Hence, geometrical optics, which is based on rays and
wavefronts, may be used to study certain aspects of these
antennas. A Paraboloid surface has the useful
property of being able to convert a diverging spherical wavefront
into a parallel plane wavefront, thereby producing a highly focussed
or narrow pencil beam. This property of focussing that is
usually associated with light rays, mirrors and lenses, can equally
be applied to parabolic reflectors at microwave frequencies.
The Paraboloid is most commonly used as a UHF
antenna or SHF antenna.
Other topics in our resources on Antennas related to Paraboloid include: