Reduced-Loss Ink-Jet Printed Flexible CPW With Copper Coating

Electroplating copper onto ink-jet printed silver coplanar waveguide (CPW) significantly reduces the insertion loss and can improve return loss. The structures are fabricated on flexible polyimide substrates using ink-jet printing and low-temperature curing. Copper-coated silver CPW exhibits good adhesion and flexibility and the RF and microwave performance is minimally affected by bending.