Collaborative Research: Enabling a new technology for reconfigurable RF front-ends and antenna array systems through phase-change materials.

摘要(提案#1310400和#1310257)：智能优点：本研究的目标是通过相变材料的独特特性，开发具有多种可重构特性的新型射频前端系统、滤波器、传输线和天线阵列拓扑。明确的研究任务从基础材料科学到系统集成，创造了一个交叉点，为可重构射频前端和天线阵列的设计开辟了一条新的道路。预计将开发的组件将得到广泛的回应。这些响应将通过以下方法实现：(1)二氧化钒在相变过程中电学性质的变化，(2)由于可变的电阻率和介电常数而控制的阻抗匹配和带宽与不同特性阻抗的其他组件的兼容性，以及(3)具有“模拟”调谐以及图案和极化的多个频率。二氧化钒是一种多功能相变材料(即智能材料)，将以图案化薄膜的形式集成到特定的射频设计中。图案化的二氧化钒薄膜在相变过程中介电常数和电阻率的剧烈和突然的连续变化将被用作重新配置元件，而它们的滞后行为将被用来对器件中的多个状态进行编程。所提出的器件的可重构性和可编程性将通过幅度和相位响应来表征。更广泛的影响：在天线和微波组件设计中集成多功能相变材料为射频组件工程师增加了新的自由度。这项研究将产生多个可重构天线阵，并将有益于阵列小型化、馈电网络和复合传输线等应用。该教育和推广计划涵盖从小学到博士阶段，涉及在会议、期刊出版物、社交媒体、丰富课程、开放源码软件开发以及通过两个机构之间的互补知识交流促进多学科学习经验方面的科学报告。

Abstract (Proposal #1310400 and #1310257):Intellectual Merit: The objective of this research is to develop new radio-frequency front-end systems, filters, transmission lines, and antenna array topologies with multi-reconfigurable characteristics through the unique properties of phase-change materials. The defined research tasks span from fundamental materials science to system integration, creating an intersection that leads to a new path in the design of reconfigurable radio-frequency front-ends and antenna arrays. The components that will be developed are expected to have a wide range of responses. These responses will be enabled by the following approaches: (1) the changes in the electric properties of vanadium dioxide across its phase transition, (2) the compatibility with other components of different characteristic impedance due to the controlled impedance matching and bandwidth through the variable resistivity and dielectric permittivity, and (3) multiple frequencies with "analog" tuning as well as patterns and polarizations. Vanadium dioxide is a multifunctional phase change material (i.e. a smart material) that will be integrated in specific radio-frequency designs in the form of patterned thin films. The drastic and abrupt continuous variability in the dielectric permittivity and resistivity of patterned vanadium dioxide films across their phase change will be used as the reconfiguring element, while their hysteretic behavior will be used to program multiple states in the devices. The reconfigurability and programmability of the proposed devices will be characterized in terms of amplitude and phase response. Broader Impact: The integration of multifunctional phase change materials in antenna and microwave component designs adds a new degree of freedom for radio-frequency component engineers. The proposed research will produce multi-reconfigurable antenna arrays and will benefit applications including array miniaturization, feed networks, and composite transmission lines. The educational and outreach plan spans from elementary school through the doctorate level and involves scientific presentations at conferences, journal publications, social media, course enrichment, an open-source software development, and the promotion of a multidisciplinary learning experience through the exchange of complementary knowledge between the two institutions.