A Reconfigurable Solid-state Plasma Dipole Antenna Based on SPiN Diodes

Abstract

This paper proposed an innovative reconfigurable antenna concept based on the dynamic definition of metal-like conductive plasma in high-resistivity silicon that are activated by the injection of dc current. Based on investigations of the solid-state plasma characteristics, the metallic properties of solid plasma were verified. And a demonstration prototype solid-state plasma frequency reconfigurable antenna containing 36 SPiN diodes was designed, fabricated, and tested. This antenna can work at three different states by turning SPiN diodes on or off selectively, in turn, working at the desired frequency state. The results show that this type of antenna posseses the unique characteristics compared with the conventional one.