First measurements of RF properties of large ferroelectric rings for RF switches and phase shifters

Fast, electrically-controlled ferroelectric RF switches and phase shifters are under development by Omega-P, Inc. for different accelerator applications in the X-, Ka- and L-bands. The exact design of such a devise depends on the electrical parameters of particular ferroelectric material to be used, namely its dielectric constant, loss tangent and tunability. The exact values of these parameters were unknown in these frequency domains for large rings of low loss ferroelectric material that is planned to be used. New methods were developed in order to measure parameters of large rings in order to determine if the behavior of large bulk samples is the same as the behavior of small samples, and to be sure that manufacturing technique preserves desired properties for large rings. The results of measurements are presented.