Ferroelectrics for Tunable High-Power Applications

This paper presents recent development of ferroelectric varactors for tuning applications. While Barium-StrontiumTitanate (BST) based thick-film components have formerly been realized in planar interdigital (IDC) topology, low-sintering BST composites offer the possibility of metal-insulator-metal (MIM) structures. The possibilities and limits of this technology are discussed in respect to high-power applications, especially the power handling capability and linearity are considered. Thickfilm components with very high power rating of 1kW show acoustic effects, which have to be carefully considered in the design.