Millimeter ferrite phase shifters using arc plasma spray fabrication techniques

Arc plasma spray techniques have previously been developed for fabricating low microwave frequency non-reciprocal ferrite phase shifters, 3 GHz to 6 GHz. Currently, spraying techniques are being developed for the arc plasma fabrication of ferrite phasers for millimeter frequencies 35 GHz to 95 GHz. It is expected that the arc plasma process will have a significant impact on the cost of millimeter phasors, since they are difficult and expensive to fabricate by conventional techniques. Also, arc plasma millimeter phasors are expected to produce an improved device performance. However, for the arc plasma process to be suitable for fabricating millimeter phasors, new techniques and modifications of arc plasma spraying procedures were required. This paper presents the techniques developed and the device performance of arc plasma fabricated 35 GHz non-reciprocal ferrite phasors. Projected costs and future fabrication concepts are also presented.