Functional Materials for Microwave Applications

This paper presents functional hybrid magnetic materials consisting of metal nanoparticles or multilayers. Polymers are used as host matrices. Their novel functional properties enable new applications. The combination of materials can even induce properties, which promises superior performance and new functionalities (e.g. tuning of magnetic moments by electric fields). These materials are used to develop novel RF-devices like toroid microinductors with magnetic cores. The investigations aim at fulfilling the demands of small size, high inductance, high operation frequency, and adequate quality factors required for modern mobile communication electronics. Inductors were manufactured using thin film deposition techniques, photolithography, electroplating, and etching processes. The magnetic core material was prepared by sputtering. Furthermore these materials can be used for many RF-applications e.g. high frequency transformers, baluns, resonators and circulators.