(Invited) Development of Anisotropic Magnetic Nanocomposites for Miniaturized RF Device Applications

Abstract

The miniaturization of radio frequency (RF) components has become increasingly in-demand due to the popularity of mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and other ad-hoc networking products. Many state-of-the-art RF components, due to the typical use of ferrite materials and a bulky permanent magnet that magnetizes the ferrites, are too cumbersome to be used in fully integrated monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs). Thus, passive RF components that do not require external magnetic fields are needed.Here we present a class of anisotropic magnetic nanocomposites (AMNs) that are capable of working as the magnetic layer within passive RF components. Our AMNs are based on high aspect ratio (>1000) magnetic nanowires and functional matrices, and show a square shaped easy-axis M(H) loop, a large remanent magnetization, and a tunable ferromagnetic resonant frequency. With the AMNs, miniaturized passive circulators were prototyped. In this presentation, we will discuss the synthesis of AMNs and the tailoring of the AMNs magnetic and RF properties to improve circulator performance.This research was developed with funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The views, opinions and/or findings expressed are those of the author and should not be interpreted as representing the official views or policies of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government.Use of the Center for Nanoscale Materials, an Office of Science user facility, was supported by the U. S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, under Contract No. DE-AC02-06CH11357.Distribution Statement A - Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited.