Ultralow‐Voltage Frequency Tunning of Liquid Crystal‐Based GHz Antenna via Nanoscratching Method

Abstract

Liquid crystal (LC)‐based radio‐frequency (RF) tunable antennas garner attention because of their compact size and minimal heat generation. Exploiting the LC's property to alter the RF permittivity depending on its alignment, voltage‐induced orientational switching enables frequency modulation of the radiated wave. To ensure dependable antenna performance, precise control of the initial LC alignment is crucial, which is conventionally achieved by polyimide (PI) coating followed by the rubbing process (PI‐rubbing). However, this approach demands high temperature (200 °C) and prolonged processing time (2 h), while also necessitating high voltage for LC reorientation due to induced excessive surface polar anchoring strength. Here, a PI‐free‐nanoscratching method creating 1D channels is introduced that induces initial LC alignment in a desired direction. The initial orienting capability of the scratched metal surface is superior to that of the PI‐rubbed surface. Furthermore, the LC‐based antenna employing the nanoscratching method shows a remarkable resonance frequency shift of up to 3 GHz with a low voltage of 2 V. This driving voltage is five times lower than that of antennas using the conventional PI‐rubbing method, which can open a new era for the next generation LC‐antenna.