Center Frequency Tuning for a Narrowband Superconducting Filter in the Time Domain

This paper presents a mechanical tuning method for tuning the center frequency of a narrowband high-temperature superconducting filter. The filter is designed with 0.5-MHz bandwidth at 166.9 MHz and is fabricated. Tuning is carried out based on the time-domain response of filter return loss. The filter can be precisely tuned to a desired center frequency while maintaining a high-frequency performance. The center frequency is tuned from 167.2 to 166.5 MHz. The tuning range is 0.7 MHz and is sufficient to compensate the frequency offset caused by 0.72% variation in the substrate effective dielectric constant or 4% that of the substrate thickness.