Twenty-GHz broadband microstrip array with electromagnetically coupled high T/sub c/ superconducting feed network

The use of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) feed lines and phase shifters can substantially improve the performance of microwave and millimeter-wave printed phased array antennas. A novel antenna architecture is described that provides a broadband radiating aperture to be used as a scanning array with compatible low-loss HTS phase shifters. The approach follows an earlier design demonstrated at 12 GHz, and this work extends the approach to 20 GHz. The antenna design, radiation patterns, bandwidth measurements, and thermal analysis are reported. A prototype thermal isolator design is described that reduces the heat load of coaxial interconnections between cryocooled and room temperature systems.