3D Micromachined Antennas for Submillimeter Sensing

This Phase I project will model, design, fabricate and test several types of true three-dimensional submillimeter helical antenna arrays. The true 3D helical antennas are an improvement over the planar microstrip antennas because they exhibit wideband impedance characteristics, circular polarization, allow a simple feed network and left and right hand polarizations are easily realized. A new fabrication process based upon a combination Micro-Electro-Mechanical System, (MEMS) technologies will be used to fabricate these structures. The array substrate will be prepared with LIGA like surface electroforming technology. This will be used to create the circular cavity ground plane, feedthroughs and antenna posts. LCVD, (Laser Chemical Vapor Deposition) will be used to grow the helical antenna structures. Custom diffractive optical elements will be used to shape the laser beam light to allow entire arrays of antennas to be fabricated simultaneously. The submillimeter helical antenna arrays produced as a result of this effort have the potential to improve performance, and reduce the cost of submillimeter sensing systems and communication systems. An array of helical antennas can be used in remote sensing and imaging applications. Shaped beam and steerable arrays, using axial mode helixes, can be designed for spacecraft applications. satellite communications, cellular communications, GPS and vehicular applications. They can also be used as a focal plane array antennas.