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Past, present and future of ferroelectric and multiferroic thin films for array antennas

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Abstract

In addition to providing a number of microwave components with frequency agility and voltage-controlled impedance matching, ferroelectric thin films have enabled electrical-control of beam-steerabilty in both reflectarray and phased array antennas. We present a brief history of developments, beginning in the 1830s, which led to the realization of array antennas based on ferroelectric thin films. We highlight key performance differences provided by competing thin film deposition techniques, and we discuss the outlook of the impact that voltage-controlled magnetism and magnetoelasticity (provided by emerging multiferroic thin films) will have on future array antenna technologies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. NASA Glenn Research Center, 21000, Brookpark Road, MS 54-8, Cleveland, OH, 44135, USA

    Robert R. Romanofsky

  2. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, OH, 44325, USA

    Ryan C. Toonen

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  1. Robert R. Romanofsky
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  2. Ryan C. Toonen
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Correspondence to Robert R. Romanofsky.

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Romanofsky, R.R., Toonen, R.C. Past, present and future of ferroelectric and multiferroic thin films for array antennas. Multidim Syst Sign Process 29, 475–487 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11045-016-0449-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11045-016-0449-5

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