FDM/FFF Printed Dielectric Farfield Lens Antenna Using Cyclic Olefin Copolymer Filament

This study investigates Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC) as a 3D printable material for ellipsoid lens antennas. We characterized printed COC samples in the W-band and used the obtained parameters to design and print a lens antenna. To benchmark the printed lens antenna, we employ a subtractively manufactured lens antenna made of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Our results exhibit remarkable characteristics of COC for the examined frequency range and demonstrate comparable properties of the 3D printed lens to the PTFE lens, while weighing less than half as much. Therefore, this work underscores the suitability of COC for rapid prototyping of quasioptical components, showcasing its potential for innovative applications in lens antenna design and fabrication.