Design and Analysis of 3D Printed Slotted Waveguides for D-Band using Stereolithography and Electroless Silver Plating
K. Lomakin, M. Sippel, K. Helmreich, Gerald Gold
Abstract
This work demonstrates the feasibility of entirely additively manufactured slotted waveguides in combination with an electroless silver plating process for applications in the D-Band frequency range. Design rules are adjusted towards the requirements for 110-170 GHz and analyzed with respect to the limitations of conventional desktop SLA- and DLP printers. Measurements obtained in this work reach attenuation levels in the order of 20-35 dB/m, hence comparable to conventionally manufactured waveguides. Furthermore, it is shown, that the electrical behavior of slotted waveguides is similar to a conventional waveguide by comparison with simulation models.
Topics & Concepts
StereolithographyElectroless platingMaterials sciencePlating (geology)AttenuationWaveguideOptoelectronicsOpticsComposite materialElectroplatingPhysicsLayer (electronics)GeophysicsMicrowave Engineering and Waveguides3D IC and TSV technologiesSemiconductor Lasers and Optical Devices