Highly Sensitive Reflective-Mode Defect Detectors and Dielectric Constant Sensors Based on Open-Ended Stepped-Impedance Transmission Lines

In this paper, reflective-mode phase-variation sensors based on open-ended stepped-impedance transmission lines with optimized sensitivity for their use as defect detectors and dielectric constant sensors are reported. The sensitive part of the sensors consists of either a 90° high-impedance or a 18...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Casacuberta, Pau|||0000-0002-2658-2200, Muñoz Enano, Jonathan|||0000-0003-1271-3801, Vélez, Paris|||0000-0001-6502-5987, Su, Lijuan|||0000-0002-4753-9340, Gil Barba, Marta|||0000-0002-1106-5059, Martín, Ferran|||0000-0002-1494-9167
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2020
País:España
Institución:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:234014
Acceso en línea:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/234014
https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.3390/s20216236
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Microwave sensors
Stepped-impedance transmission lines
Dielectric constant sensor
Phase-variation sensors
Descripción
Sumario:In this paper, reflective-mode phase-variation sensors based on open-ended stepped-impedance transmission lines with optimized sensitivity for their use as defect detectors and dielectric constant sensors are reported. The sensitive part of the sensors consists of either a 90° high-impedance or a 180° low-impedance open-ended sensing line. To optimize the sensitivity, such a sensing line is cascaded to a 90° transmission line section with either low or high characteristic impedance, resulting in a stepped-impedance transmission line configuration. For validation purposes, two different sensors are designed and fabricated. One of the sensors is implemented by means of a 90° high impedance (85 Ω) open-ended sensing line cascaded to a 90° low impedance (15 Ω) transmission line section. The other sensor consists of a 180° 15-Ω open-ended sensing line cascaded to a 90° 85-Ω line. Sensitivity optimization for the measurement of dielectric constants in the vicinity of that corresponding to the Rogers RO4003C substrate (i.e., with dielectric constant 3.55) is carried out. The functionality as a defect detector is demonstrated by measuring the phase-variation in samples consisting of the uncoated Rogers RO4003C substrate (the reference sample) with arrays of holes of different densities.