Novel RF/Microwave Switchable Filters Based on Electrostrictive Resonance in Ferroelectric Thin Films

该奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助的。本研究的目的是展示用于频率敏捷通信系统和认知无线电的新型本质可切换滤波器。本研究的基础是研究铁电薄膜中的场可调电致伸缩效应。铁电薄膜的谐振特性可以通过施加直流偏置电压来开启和关闭，并且可以潜在地用于设计低成本，高性能和集成的内在可切换射频（RF）和微波谐振器和滤波器。频率敏捷设备提供了通过可切换和可调前端滤波器切换通信信道的能力。对于集成在单个芯片上的小型低功耗无线系统，进一步需要以最小的复杂性实现频率敏捷组件。在这项工作中，利用铁电薄膜中的声波和微波相互作用，提出了频率敏捷收发器的关键构建块。这个项目将通过直接参与研究来教育研究生。由于跨学科的性质，拟议的研究对学生特别有价值，学生将成为薄膜材料沉积和表征，器件制造，声共振和微波器件方面的专家。此外，该项目的努力将包括支持旨在促进科学家和工程师多样性的外展计划。这些努力包括本科生通过密歇根大学的大学研究机会计划（UROP）、美国国家科学基金会REU、玛丽安·萨拉·帕克和专门为本科生和研究生女性和少数民族学生提供研究经验的M-STEM计划的参与。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).The objective of this research is to demonstrate novel intrinsically switchable filters for frequency-agile communication systems and cognitive radios. The basis of the proposed effort is the investigation of field-tunable electrostriction effect in ferroelectric thin films. The resonant behavior of the ferroelectric thin film can be switched on and off through application of a DC bias voltage, and can potentially be utilized for designing low cost, high performance and integrated intrinsically switchable radio frequency (RF) and microwave resonators and filters.Frequency-agile devices provide the ability to switch communication channels through switchable and tunable frontend filters. The realization of frequency-agile components with minimal complexity is further desired for miniature low-power wireless systems integrated into a single chip. In this work, a key building block for a frequency-agile transceiver is proposed, utilizing the acoustic wave and microwave interactions in ferroelectric thin films.This project will serve to educate graduate students through direct participation in the research. The proposed research is of particular value for students due to the interdisciplinary nature, where students will become experts in thin film materials deposition and characterization, device fabrication, acoustic resonance, and microwave devices. In addition, the efforts of this project will include supporting outreach programs aimed at promoting diversity among scientists and engineers. These efforts include involvement of undergraduate students through the University Research Opportunity Program (UROP) at the University of Michigan, the NSF REU, Marian Sara Parker and M-STEM Programs specifically designed to provide research experiences to undergraduate and graduate female and minority students.