Waveguide dielectric phase shifter with fast piezoelectric control

Low loss dielectric phase shifter is elaborated on the base of "dielectric-air slot" layered structure. Its effective dielectric constant (/spl epsiv//sub ef/) is controlled by means of fast piezoelectric actuator that changes the width of the air slot. A waveguide, being partially filled by such /spl epsiv/-agile "sandwich"-like structure, produces a controllable phase shift.