Additive manufacturing of passive beamforming systems

Abstract

The ability to control electromagnetic wave propagation using spatially varying or graded index of refraction (GRIN) structures have resulted in a number of practical photonic devices (e.g., GRIN lenses and graded index optical fibers). At radiofrequencies (RF), GRIN structures have also been explored for their use as lens antennas, antireflective surfaces, and passive beam formers. For the specific application of RF beamforming, GRIN structures provide a particularly cost effective solution, however, their design and fabrication can often be a major challenge. In this dissertation, I will describe two novel methods that leveraged recent advances in additive manufacturing (AM), and how I applied them towards the fabrication of RF beamforming systems. Specifically, these methods are; (1) multimaterial AM of 3D graded index lenses and (2) custom system for dry powder printing of ceramics for structural beamforming applications.