Relation between Electrode Structure and Response Characteristic in Microwave Phase Shifter of Microstrip Line Structure Using Liquid Crystal

Abstract

A microwave phase shifter of microstrip-line structure using nematic liquid crystal is studied from both theory and experiments. The microstrip-line structure has asymmetric electrodes structure. The retardation responses at various positions of the phase shifter are calculated from molecular orientation distribution response under application of bias voltage. The rise time drastically increases outside the center conductor. On the other hand, the decay time is almost constant. The relation between electrode structure of the phase shifter and microwave phase response characteristic is discussed.