Challenges with Optically Transparent Patch Antennas

Author

Saberin, J.R. ; Furse, C.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Electr. & Comput. Eng., Univ. of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

Volume

54

Issue

3

fYear

2012

fDate

6/1/2012 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

10

Lastpage

16

Abstract

In this paper, antennas made out of transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) are explored. The optical transparency of transparent conducting oxides is achieved through thin-film depositions on substrates. However, thin-film depositions create a new set of electrical challenges that require a full understanding of semiconductor physics. This work looks into the governing equations that limit light transmission, absorption, and reflection through a transparent conductor, along with the electrical conductivity and antenna efficiency of transparent-conducting-oxide thin-film patch antennas.

Keywords

conductors (electric); electrical conductivity; light absorption; microstrip antennas; thin film devices; TCO; electrical conductivity; governing equations; light absorption; light transmission; optical transparency; optically transparent patch antennas; semiconductor physics; thin-film depositions; transparent conductor; transparent-conducting-oxide thin-film patch antennas; Indium compounds; Microstrip antennas; Optical transmitters; Patch antennas; Thin films; Microstrip antennas; indium tin oxide; patch antennas; thin films; transparent antennas;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Antennas and Propagation Magazine, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1045-9243

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/MAP.2012.6293946

Filename

6293946