On the Reflectivity of Materials for Radio Telescope and Space Antenna Applications: Antenna reflector loss needs to be known for many specific antenna applications

System requirements can dictate the use of antenna reflector materials that are not electrically optimum and clearly not “perfectly electrically conducting.” This makes loss measurements necessary. A loss that is not acceptable for one application might be acceptable for another application. Instrument or radiometer antennas require a low loss, but, sometimes, this could be less critical for telecommunication antennas. We investigated less conventional materials, including a nickel-based material, for a radio telescope antenna (Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array [ALMA]) and other materials as needed in certain space antenna applications. A sensitive open resonator was used. The data collected provide an understanding of and insight into the loss properties for the respective applications. This has led to useful models confirmed by the data.