Tunable RF Band-Pass Filters Based on Multi-ferroic Nanocomposites

In this SBIR program, Structured Materials Industries, Inc. www.structuredmaterials.com (SMI) and partners will develop high-speed, low-loss, tunable RF bandpass filters. The filters will meet all requirements for tunability, tuning speed, insertion loss, bandwidth and linearity, as specified in SBIR solicitation N111-080. Our technical approach is based on nanocomposite thin films of multi-ferroic materials. Specifically, we will use nanocomposites of the piezoelectric/ferroelectric material BaTiO3 and the ferromagnetic material CoFe2O4. The thin film approach will enable devices which can be tuned with significantly lower voltage and magnetic fields, compared to devices based on bulk piezoelectric crystals such as lead-zirconium-titanate (PZT). Our thin film based multi-ferroic filters will enable compact, light weight RF systems with low power requirements and extended battery life. The thin film approach will also enable a greater degree of electronic integration at the board level, for increased functionality.