MACROMOLECULE/ELECTROHEOLOGICAL MICROWAVE PHASE SHIFTERS

CURRENT PHASED ARRAY ANTENNA TECHNOLOGY UTILIZES DISCRETE DIGITAL OR ANALOG FERRITE PHASE SHIFTERS WHICH ARE HIGH COST AND RF POWER LIMITED WHEN IN THE TRANSMIT MODE DUE TO THE FERRITE SATURATION PHENOMENA. THE RESEARCH INVESTIGATES MACROMOLECULE AND ELECTROHEOLOGICAL SUSPENSIONS (ERS) AS AN ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLABLE (ANISOTROPIC) MICROWAVE PHASE SHIFTER WHEN A DC FIELD IS APPLIED. THE RESEARCH INCLUDES FABRICATION OF AN EXPERIMENTAL TEST FIXTURE TO MEASURE THE KERR CONSTANT OF CANDIDATE MATERIALS, AND RESEARCH OF THE PHENOMENA UNDER VARIOUS MATERIAL, CONCENTRATION, AND TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS. A MATHEMATICAL MODEL IS BEING DEVELOPED TO DESCRIBE BEHAVIOR. THE POTENTIAL CONFIGURATION AND PERFORMANCE OF PHASE SHIFTERS USING THESE MATERIALS IS BEING EXPLORED.