Fabrication of multilayer dielectrically loaded antennas using aqueous electrophorectic deposition of polyether ether ketone

Abstract

The paper presents proof of concept of a viable multilayer technology to enhance the performance of multifilar helix, receive-only satellite antennas. Approximately, 30-μm layers of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) were deposited onto the Cu filars of a single layer dielectrically loaded multifilar helix antenna using aqueous electrophoretic deposition (EPD). The PEEK coating was densified at ~400–420 °C in flowing N2 to prevent oxidation of the Cu filars. A second Cu metallisation was deposited onto the surface of the PEEK and the resulting antenna characterised. The multilayer antenna revealed a dual band response with peak radiation efficiencies >25 % and ~50 % increase in bandwidth. Multilayered surface architectures fabricated from PEEK using EPD, therefore, show great potential for the development of a broad range of high-performance multiband dielectrically loaded antennas whose peak frequencies may, in principle, be tuned by modifying the thickness of the PEEK layer.