Liquid Crystal Signal Processing Devices for Microwave and Millimeter Wave Operation

摘要本课题将解决工作在10ghz ~ 100ghz及以上频段的微波和毫米波信号处理器件的需求，采用基于液晶的移相器。目前的原型设备表明，液晶是在宽频率范围内进行信号处理的有前途的材料。目的1)简化现有器械结构，减少加工步骤。2)降低液晶器件的损耗3)通过掺杂高介电纳米粒子或铁电纳米粒子来鉴定微波中性能最佳的液晶，并创造新的液晶材料。该项目将产生具有几个重要优势的器件：1)它们将提供可调的实时延迟或可调的大相移，2)器件几乎不需要功耗，3)在宽频率范围内具有低损耗正切，4)器件体积小，可以集成到晶圆系统中。更广泛的影响所提出的活动的预期商业和社会效益将是实质性的，因为所开发的设备将在各种光子设备中使用，包括相位延迟器和真实时间延迟线，微相控阵系统，可变焦点透镜和光束转向设备。此外，它将通过创造新的液晶非显示应用，为成熟的液晶产业提供新的机遇。我们还计划与工业界进行广泛的互动，并向本科生、研究生、高中生和中学生开展拓展活动。

AbstractThis project will address the need for microwave and millimeter wave signal processing devices which operate in the 10 GHz to 100 GHz range and above using liquid crystal based phase shifters. Current prototype devices show that liquid crystals are promising materials for signal processing over a wide frequency range. Objective1) Simplification of the current device structures to reduce processing steps.2) Reduction of losses in liquid crystal devices3) Identification of liquid crystals with the best performance in the microwave and creation of new liquid crystals materials by doping with high dielectric nanoparticles or ferroelectric nanoparticles.Intellectual MeritThe project will result in devices with several important advantages: 1) they will provide a tunable true-time delay or a large tunable phase shift, 2) the devices will require almost no power consumption, 3) there is a low loss tangent over a wide frequency range, 4) the devices will be small and can be integrated into an on-wafer system. Broader ImpactThe expected commercial and social benefits of the proposed activity will be substantial as the developed devices will have utility in a variety of photonic devices including phase retarders and true time delay lines, micro phased array systems, changeable focus lenses, and beam steering devices. In addition, it will provide new opportunities for the mature liquid crystal industry by creating new non-display applications of liquid crystals.We are planning also for extensive interactions with industry and outreach activities to undergraduate, graduate, and high and middle schools students.