Nickel-modified zinc molybdate low temperature co-fired ceramics for two-dimensional beam splitting of array antenna in X-band

In this work, a new Zn 1- x Ni x MoO 4 (ZNMO) ( x = 0.03) ceramic with low-dielectric constant, low-loss, and low-sintering temperature for X-band two-dimensional (2D) beam splitting is developed by solid-state reaction method. This ceramic has excellent microwave dielectric properties of ε r = 8.5, Q × f = 28192 GHz, τ f = −60.2 ppm/°C. The effects of Ni 2+ substitution on the microwave dielectric properties of the ZnMoO 4 ceramic are studied in detail through crystal structure analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and first-principles calculations. For the first time, an array antenna for X-band 2D electromagnetic beam splitting is designed by using this ceramic as a substrate. The effects of the dielectric constant and dielectric loss on the radiation efficiency of the array antenna are revealed. The normalized reflection amplitude and reflection phase of the unit cell exceed 0.97 and cover 360°, respectively. The function of 2D electromagnetic beam splitting is verified by the overall far-field pattern of the array antenna. This work has the opportunity to promote the development of LTCC and microwave dielectric ceramics.