Tailoring the refractive index of impedance-matched ferrite composites

Abstract

Independent control of the magnetic and electric properties of two-part and three-part ferrite composites is demonstrated through variation of particle size and volume fraction of ferrite inclusions. This provides a route to creating broadband impedance-matched composites with tailored high refractive-index values. A two-part composite comprising NiZn ferrite in a PTFE dielectric host with approximately equal values of relative real permittivity and permeability up to 100 MHz is manufactured. The refractive index for NiZn–PTFE composites, measured at 20 MHz, is 6.1 for NiZn volume fraction of 50%vol. and 6.9 for NiZn volume fraction of 70%vol. Similarly, we have characterised a three-part composite with a refractive index of approximately 16 up to 60 MHz. The three-part composite comprises NiZn and MnZn ferrites in a PTFE dielectric host matrix with a percentage volume ratio of 65%: 15%: 20%, respectively.