Silica-based integrated planar lightwave true-time-delay network for microwave antenna applications

Summary form only given. The authors have developed a fully integrated controllable true-time-delay (TTD) network using silica-based planar lightwave circuits (PLCs) which have the characteristics of low loss (0.1 dB/cm or less), far easier polarization maintenance, patterning flexibility (the minimum radius is 2 mm when /spl Delta/ is 1.5%), and active circuit capability through the thermo-optic effect. Experimental results show that the proposed TTD networks will be excellent candidates for microwave antenna applications.