Liquid Crystal Signal Processing Devices for Microwave and Millimeter Wave Operation

本项目将解决使用基于液晶的移相器工作在10 GHz至100 GHz范围及以上的微波和毫米波信号处理设备的需求。目前的原型器件表明，液晶是一种很有前途的宽频带信号处理材料。目的1)简化当前的器件结构以减少加工步骤2)减少液晶器件的损耗3)识别在微波中性能最好的液晶，并通过掺杂高介电纳米颗粒或铁电纳米粒子来创建新的液晶材料。智能价值该项目将产生具有几个重要优点的器件：1)它们将提供可调的实时延迟或大的可调相移，2)器件将几乎不需要功耗，3)在宽的频率范围内具有低损耗正切，4)器件将很小，并且可以集成到晶片系统中。更广泛的影响拟议活动的预期商业和社会效益将是巨大的，因为所开发的设备将用于各种光子设备，包括相位延迟器和真正的时间延迟线、微型相控阵系统、可变焦距透镜和光束转向设备。此外，它还将通过创造新的液晶非显示应用为成熟的液晶行业提供新的机会。我们还计划与行业进行广泛的互动，并向本科生、研究生和高中生推广活动。

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.