Abstract
This paper presents the design of a graphene-based electronically tuneable microstrip attenuator operating at a frequency of 5 GHz. The use of graphene as a variable resistor is discussed and the modelling of its electromagnetic properties at microwave frequencies is fully addressed. The design of the graphene-based attenuator is described. The structure integrates a patch of graphene, whose characteristics can range from being a fairly good conductor to a highly lossy material, depending on the applied voltage. By applying the proper voltage through two high-impedance bias lines, the surface resistivity of graphene can be modified, thereby changing the insertion loss of the microstrip attenuator.
Highlights
During the past number of years, scientific interest in graphene has experienced impressive growth due to the extraordinary mechanical, electronic and optical properties of this material [1]
Graphene is a one-atomthick two-dimensional carbon crystal retrieved in many materials such as highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG), which consists of many graphene sheets stacked together in a pile
As a matter of fact, the unique properties of graphene are being exploited in radiofrequency nanoelectronics [2] to realize novel highspeed devices such as field effect transistors [3], frequency multipliers [4] transparent solar cells [5], meta-materials [6] and graphene plasmonics [7]
Summary
During the past number of years, scientific interest in graphene has experienced impressive growth due to the extraordinary mechanical, electronic and optical properties of this material [1]. As a matter of fact, the unique properties of graphene are being exploited in radiofrequency nanoelectronics [2] to realize novel highspeed devices such as field effect transistors [3], frequency multipliers [4] transparent solar cells [5], meta-materials [6] and graphene plasmonics [7]. The possibility of using graphene in passively guided devices and antennas from microwaves to THz has been less explored. This is mainly because such structures require electric sizes in the order of the wavelength, while the size of the first available graphene samples was much smaller. Graphene chemical vapour deposition (CVD) currently allows for obtaining samples of up to several centimetres, which has increased the research interest for realizing passive devices at such frequencies [8]. We have performed the design and modelling of the microstrip attenuator; currently, we are dealing with the fabrication of the device, with a graphene patch being sourced from a CVD sample
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
