34 GHz Bandpass Filter for Low-temperature Co-fired Ceramic System-in-Package Application

Modern electronic circuit requires compact,multifunctional technology in communication systems.However,it is very difficult due to the limitations in passive component miniaturization and the complication of fabrication process.The bandpass filter is one of the most important passive components in millimeter（mm）-wave communication system,attracting significant interest in three-dimension（3D） miniaturized design,which is few reported.In this paper,a bandpass filter structure using low-temperature co-fired ceramic（LTCC） technology,which is fully integrated in a system-in package（SIP） communication module,is presented for miniaturized and high reliable mm-wave application.The bandpass filter with 3D end-coupled microstrip resonators is implemented in order to achieve a high performance bandwidth characteristic.Specifically,all of the resonators are embedded into different ceramic layers to decrease the insertion loss and enhance the out-of-band rejection performance by optimizing the coupling coefficient and the coupling strength.A fence structure,which is formed by metal-filled via array with the gap less than quarter wavelength,is placed around the embedded bandpass filter to avoid electromagnetic（EM） interference problem in multilayer structure.This structural model is validated through actual LTCC process.The bandpass filter is successfully manufactured by modifying the co-fireablity characteristics,adjusting the sintering profile,releasing the interfacial stress,and reducing the shrinkage mismatch with different materials.Measured results show good performance and agree well with the high frequency EM full wave simulation.The influence of layer thickness and dielectric constant on the frequency response in fabricated process is analyzed,where thicker ceramic sheets let the filter response shift to higher frequency.Moreover,measured S-parameters denote the center frequency is also strongly influenced by the variation of ceramic material＇s dielectric constants.By analyzing the relationship between the characteristics of the ceramic tape and the center frequency of the filter,both theoretical and experimental data are accumulated for broadening application filed.With the coupling resonators embedded into the ceramic layers,the bandpass filter exhibits advantages of small size and high reliability compared to conventional planar filter structure,which makes the bandpass filter suitable for SIP communicational application.

Low-temperature sintering and microwave dielectric properties of Li_2MgTi_3O_8 ceramics doped with BaCu(B_2O_5)

The influences of BaCu（B2O5） （BCB） addition on sintering, microstructure and microwave dielectric properties of Li2MgTi308 ceramics were investigated using X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy and microwave dielectric measurements. The experimental results show that a small amount of BaCu（B2O5） addition can effectively reduce the sintering temperature to 900℃, and induce only a limited degradation of the microwave dielectric properties. Typically, the best microwave dielectric properties of er24.5, Q×f =24 622 GHz, rf=4.2×10-6℃ -1 are obtained for 1.0% BCB-doped Li2MgTi3O8 ceramics sintered at 900℃ for 3 h. The BCB-doped Li2MgTi3O8 ceramics can be compatible with Ag electrode, which may be a strong candidate for low temperature co-fired ceramics applications.

Preparation and properties of porous ceramics from spodumene flotation tailings by low-temperature sintering

Porous ceramics were prepared with spodumene flotation talings(SFT),kaolin and low-melting point glass(LPG)powder,whose pores were formed by the chemical reaction of hydrogen peroxide(H_(2)O_(2)).LPG was used to reduce the sintering temperature of porous ceramics and kaolin was used to realize the adsorption to methylene blue(MB)of porous ceramics.The average flexural strength,compressive strength,apparent porosity,water absorption and maximum MB adsorption capacity were 5.60 MPa,4.66 MPa,52.27%,44.32%and 0.7 mg/g,respectively.Moreover,the results of orthogonal experiments present that the sintering temperature and the dosage of H_(2)O_(2)had great influence on the mechanical properties and apparent porosity of porous ceramics,respectively.The main reason for the improvement of mechanical properties of porous ceramics was that LPG gradually became soft with increasing the sintering temperature,which made the mineral particles adhere to each other closely.Kaolinite was not completely converted into metakaolin at 550℃,which might be the main reason why porous ceramics had adsorption properties.

Low-Temperature Sintering and Microwave DielectricProperties of Ba_2Ti_3Nb_4O_(18) Ceramics

The effects of CuO and H3BO3 additions on the low-temperature sintering,microstructure,and microwave dielectric properties of Ba2Ti3Nb4O18 ceramics were investigated.The addition of less amount of CuO （ 〈1 wt%） considerably facilitated the densification of Ba2Ti3Nb4O18 ceramics.Appropriate addition of H3BO3 （ 〈3.5 wt%） remarkably improved the microwave dielectric properties of ceramics.The addition of H3BO3 and CuO successfully reduced the sintering temperature of Ba2Ti3Nb4O18 ceramics from 1300 to 1050 ℃.Ba2Ti3Nb4O18 ceramics sintered at 1 050 ℃ for 4 h with the addition of 1.0 wt% CuO and 3.5 wt% H3BO3 exhibited good microwave dielectric properties：er=33.74,Q？f=13 812 GHz,and tf=-5.35 ppm/°C at about 5.0 GHz.

Analysis on Micro Complex Shape Via Hole Punching on Low Temperature Co-Fired Ceramics

The quality of a via hole on a multilayer stack of Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) tape is of utmost importance to its functionality. This paper investigates a substitute for the commonly used circular shape hole to a more complex one and its implications when different parameters such as sheet thickness, punch speed, travel distance and tool clearance are?changed. Fabrication of the punch tools and the punching process is carried out at the same machine, ensuring alignment. Two types of non-circular shape are chosen to carry out the experiment. Pre-sintered complex shape hole measurements show that while punch conditions such as speed and tool gap have?little effect on the size, sheet thickness and travel depth play a vital role in the overall dimension. Albeit having only a slight effect on the size, those parameters are significant in other aspects of hole quality. Post-sintering investigation is also observed and discussed.

Development and application of ferrite materials for low temperature co-fired ceramic technology

Development and application of ferrite materials for low temperature co-fired ceramic （LTCC） technology are dis- cussed, specifically addressing several typical ferrite materials such as M-type barium ferrite, NiCuZn ferrite, YIG ferrite, and lithium ferrite. In order to permit co-firing with a silver internal electrode in LTCC process, the sintering temperature of ferrite materials should be less than 950 ℃. These ferrite materials are research focuses and are applied in many ways in electronics.

Effects of BaCu(B_2O_5 ) addition on sintering temperature and microwave dielectric properties of Ba_5Nb_4O_(15)–BaWO_4 ceramics

The effects of BaCu（B2Os） （BCB） addition on the microstructure, phase formation, and microwave dielectric proper- ties of BasNb4015-BaWO4 ceramic are investigated. As a sintering aid, BaCu（B2Os） ceramic could effectively lower the sintering temperature of BasNb4015-BaWO4 ceramic from 1100 ℃ to 950 ℃ due to the liquid-phase effect. Meanwhile, BaCu（B2Os） addition effectively improves the densification of BasNb4015-BaWO4 ceramic and significantly influences the microwave dielectric properties. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that BasNb4015 and BaWO4 coexist with no crystal phase of BaCu（B2Os） in the sintered ceramics. The BasNb4015-BaWO4 ceramics with 1.0 wt% BaCu（B2Os） sintered at 950 ℃ for 2 h presents good microwave dielectric properties of er = 19.0, high Q× f of 33802 GHz and low vf of 2.5 ppm/℃.

Microwave dielectric properties and compatibility with silver of low-fired Li_2MgTi_3O_8 ceramics with Li_2O-MgO-B_2O_3 frit

The effects of Li2O-MgO-B2O3 （LMB） glass additive on the sintering characteristics, phase purity, microstructure, and microwave dielectric properties of Li2MgTi3O8 ceramics were investigated. The experimental results demonstrate that the addition of LMB glass effectively lowers the sintering temperature of Li2MgTi3O8 ceramic from 1025 ℃ to 875 ℃ and induces no obvious degradation of the microwave dielectric properties. Typically, the 1.5%LMB glass-added Li2MgTi3O8 ceramic sintered at 875 ℃ for 4 h shows excellent microwave dielectric properties of Q×f=45403 GHz, εr=25.9 and τf≈0 ℃-1. The dielectric ceramic exhibits stability against the reaction with the Ag electrode, which indicates that the ceramics could be applied in multilayer microwave devices requiring low firing temperatures.

CuO added Pb_(0.92)Sr_(0.06)Ba_(0.02)(Mg_(1/3)Nb_(2/3))_(0.25)(Ti_(0.53)Zr_(0.47))_(0.75)O_3 ceramics sintered with Ag electrodes at 900℃ for multilayer piezoelectric actuator

CuO added Pb0.92Sr0.06Ba0.02（Mg1/3Nb2/3）0.25（Ti0.53Zr0.47）0.75O3 ceramics were studied to prepare high-quality multilayer piezoelectric actuators with pure Ag electrodes at 900 ℃. CuO addition not only reduced the sintering temperature significantly from 1260 ℃ to 900 ℃ but also improved the ceramic density to 7.742 g/cm3. The 0.7 wt.% CuO added ceramic sintered at 900 ℃ shows the remnant polarization （Pr） of 40 μC/cm2, 0.28% strain at 40 kV/cm, and the piezoelectric coefficient （d33） of 630 pC/N. This ceramic shows a strong relaxor characteristic with a Curie temperature of 200 ℃. Furthermore, the 0.7 wt.% CuO added ceramic and pure Ag electrodes were co-fired at 900 ℃ to prepare a high-quality multilayer piezoelectric actuator with a d33 of over 450 pC/N per ceramic layer.

Sintering behavior and mechanical properties of sintered ceramics based on spodumene tailings

In this study,ceramics was prepared by slip casting(no pressure was used during shaping step)and atmospheric pressure sintering with low-melting point glass(LPG)powder as the binding material to facilitate the transformation of spodumene flotation tailings(SFTs)into ceramics at lower temperatures.The influence of sintering temperature and mass ratio of LPG on the mechanical properties(flexural strength and compressive strength)of ceramic materials was studied by orthogonal test.The results showed that when the mass ratio of LPG powder was higher than or equal to 20 wt%and the sintering temperature was higher than or equal to 550℃,mutual adhesion between the sample particles was realised and consequently the ceramic materials could be prepared with good mechanical properties(the maximum flexural strength=19.55 MPa,the maximum compressive strength=42.25 MPa,average porosity=24.52%,average apparent density=1.66 g/cm^(3),and average water absorption=14.79%).The sintered ceramics were characterized by XRF,XRD,optical microscopy analysis,SEM,TGA-DSC and FT-IR.The formation of liquid phase at high temperature may lead to the mutual bonding between particles,which might be the main reason for the improvement of mechanical properties of ceramic materials.Overall,SFTs were successfully sintered at low temperature to prepare ceramic materials with good mechanical properties,which are crucial for energy conservation and environmental preservation.

Dual-band LTCC antenna based on 0.95Zn_2SiO_4-0.05CaTiO_3 ceramics for GPS/UMTS applications

In this paper, we present a compact low-temperature co-fired ceramic（LTCC） dual-band antenna by using the electromagnetic coupling effect concept for global positioning system（GPS） and universal mobile telecommunication system（UMTS） applications. The overall dimension of the antenna is 8.6 mm × 13.0 mm × 1.1 mm. It consists of double meander lines and a via hole line. The top meander line operates at the upper band, and the bottom radiating patch is designed for the lower band. The via-hole line is employed to connect the double meander lines. Because of the effect of the coupled line,total dimension of the proposed antenna is greatly reduced. With the 2.5： voltage standing wave ratio（VSWR） impedance bandwidth definition, the lower and upper bands have the bandwidths of 110 MHz and 150 MHz, respectively. The proposed antenna is successfully designed, simulated, and analyzed by a high frequency structure simulator（HFSS）. And the antenna is manufactured by using the 0.95Zn2SiO4-0.05 CaTiO3ceramics（εr = 7.1, tanδ = 0.00038） that is prepared by ourselves. The results show that the antenna is compact, efficient, and of near omnidirectional radiation pattern.

Effects of V₂O₅Addition on Microwave Dielectric Properties of Li₂ZnTi₃O₈Ceramics for LTCC Applications

The sintering temperature of Li2ZnTi3O8 ceramics is still high for LTCC-based applications. In this work, V2O5 was doped as the sintering aid. The sintered density, phase composition, grain size, as well as microwave dielectric properties of Li2ZnTi3O8 ceramics with the addition of V2O5 were investigated. Based on our research, V2O5 doping effectively promoted the densification of Li2ZnTi3O8 ceramics at about 900°C, without affecting the main crystal phase of the ceramics. Li2ZnTi3O8 ceramics with 0.5 wt% V2O5 doping (sintered at 900°C) exhibited the best microwave dielectric properties (Qf =?22,400 GHz at about 6 GHz, εr = 25.5, and τf = -10.8 ppm/°C). The V2O5-doped Li2ZnTi3O8 ceramics were well cofired with Ag inner paste without cracks and diffusion, indicating its significant potential for LTCC applications.

Structure,far-infrared spectroscopy,microwave dielectric properties,and improved low-temperature sintering characteristics of tri-rutile Mg_(0.5)Ti_(0.5)TaO_(4) ceramics

In this study,tri-rutile type Mg_(0.5)Ti_(0.5)TaO_(4) ceramics were synthesized,where the structure–property relationship,especially the structural configuration and intrinsic dielectric origin of Mg_(0.5)Ti_(0.5)TaO_(4) ceramics,and the low-firing characteristics were studied.It is found that the tri-rutile structural type is unambiguously identified through the Rietveld refinement analysis,the selected area electron diffraction(SAED),and the high-resolution transmission electron microscopy(HRTEM)along the[110]zone axis.With the increase in sintering temperature,the densification and uniformity of crystal growth play important roles in regulating the microwave dielectric properties of Mg_(0.5)Ti_(0.5)TaO_(4) ceramics.Intrinsically,theoretical dielectric properties calculated by the far-infrared reflective spectra approached the experimental values,indicating the importance of structural features to dielectric properties.Furthermore,a glass additive with high matching relevance with ceramics has been developed to decrease the high sintering temperature of Mg_(0.5)Ti_(0.5)TaO_(4) ceramics,where 2–4 wt%Li_(2)O–MgO–ZnO–B_(2)O_(3)–SiO_(2)(LMZBS)glass frit was adopted to reduce the suitable temperature from 1275 to 1050℃ without significantly deteriorating the microwave dielectric characteristics.Specifically,Mg_(0.5)Ti_(0.5)TaO_(4) ceramics containing 2 wt% glass addition sintered at 1050℃for 4 h possess excellent microwave dielectric properties:dielectric constant(ε_(r))=44.3,quality factor multiplied by resonant frequency(Q×f)=23,820 GHz(f=6.2 GHz),and the temperature coefficient of resonant frequency(τ_(f))=123.2 ppm/℃.

Electromagnetic Pump Made in a Hybrid Polymer-Ceramic Technology--Preliminary Results

This paper describes technology of the electromagnetic pump made in a hybrid polymer-ceramic technology. The pumping mechanism is realized with a mutual excitation between an electromagnetic coil and a neodymium magnet bonded to a flexible membrane. A PDMS （poly（dimethylsiloxane）） material was used to manufacture a membrane sufficient for the presented micropump. A fish trap construction is adapted to the ceramic technology. The bonding process of ceramics and polymer, using plasma oxidation method, is described as well. Moreover, a membrane deflection depending on magnet dimensions and applied voltage was measured.

Measurement of wireless pressure sensors fabricated in high temperature co-fired ceramic MEMS technology

High temperature co-fired ceramics(HTCCs) have wide applications with stable mechanical properties,but they have not yet been used to fabricate sensors.By introducing the wireless telemetric sensor system and ceramic structure embedding a pressure-deformable cavity,the designed sensors made from HTCC materials(zirconia and 96% alumina) are fabricated,and their capacities for the pressure measurement are tested using a wireless interrogation method.Using the fabricated sensor,a study is conducted to measure the atmospheric pressure in a sealed vessel.The experimental sensitivity of the device is 2 Hz/Pa of zirconia and 1.08 Hz/Pa of alumina below 0.5 MPa with a readout distance of 2.5 cm.The described sensor technology can be applied for monitoring of atmospheric pressure to evaluate important component parameters in harsh environments.

含钡玻璃陶瓷LTCC粉体的表面修饰及其对玻璃陶瓷性能的影响

为了降低BaO-TiO2-B2O3-SiO2玻璃陶瓷中钡离子的析出,通过化学沉淀法和硫酸处理法对玻璃陶瓷粉体进行了表面修饰,在玻璃陶瓷粉体的表面形成了一层不溶于水的无机膜(氧化铝或BaSO4),不仅阻断了LTCC中钡离子与水的接触途径,使LTCC玻璃陶瓷粉体制备可适用于水基流延工艺的浆料,且操作简便,无毒副作用。研究发现用共沉淀法包覆氧化铝对玻璃陶瓷的性能影响不大,但是硫酸包覆处理后大大提高了玻璃陶瓷的烧结温度,限制了LTCC的应用。

LTCC水基流延生带材料的制备与叠层性能

利用硼硅酸盐玻璃和氧化铝陶瓷复合制备了相对介电常数为7～9的LTCC材料粉体,利用苯丙乳液作为粘结剂,甘油作为增塑剂,成功制备出了浆料固含量高、稳定性好的水基流延浆料;该工艺制备的生带材料表面光滑,强度高,且容易在室温下叠层,经过850～900℃烧结,其相对体积密度最高可以达到96%以上;以上述LTCC生带为原材料,在室温条件下制备了烧结性能良好的叠层器件,具有很好的应用前景。

含钡玻璃粉体的表面修饰及其表征

为了降低BaO-B2O3-SiO2玻璃中钡离子在水中的析出，通过硫酸处理法对玻璃粉体进行了表面修饰，在玻璃粉体的表面形成一层不溶于水的BaSO4，从而阻断了钡离子与水的接触途径，使玻璃粉体更容易制备稳定的水基流延浆料，操作简便，且无毒副作用。研究发现生成的BaSO4层的厚度与硫酸的浓度和处理时间相关；硫酸钡层明显提高了玻璃粉的烧结温度。

BaO-TiO_2-B_2O_3-SiO_2体系LTCC粉体的表面修饰及评价

利用沉淀法对BaO-TiO2-B2O3-SiO2体系LTCC粉体颗粒进行氧化铝包覆以阻断钡离子的溶出通道。分别使用结晶氯化铝和异丙醇铝作为包覆前驱物材料,通过对比两种前驱物的包覆效果,发现使用异丙醇铝前驱体的包覆效果更佳;随着包覆的氧化铝含量增大,包覆效果越好;使用异丙醇铝作前驱体,6%(质量分数,下同)包覆足以阻断钡离子溶出,包覆粉体在水中经过6h搅拌,钡离子无析出。

Sintering behaviour and microwave dielectric properties of MgO-2B_(2)O_(3)--xwt%BaCu(B_(2)O_(5))-ywt%H_(3)BO_(3) ceramics

This study investigates the bulk density,sintering behaviour,and microwave dielectric properties of the MgO-2B_(2)O_(3) series ceramics synthesised by solid-state reaction.According to the X-ray diffraction and microstructural analyses,the as-prepared MgO-2B_(2)O_(3) ceramics possess a single-phase structure with a rod-like morphology.The effects of different quantities of H_(3)BO_(3) and BaCu(B_(2)O5)(BCB)on the bulk density,sintering behaviour,and microwave dielectric properties of the MgO-2B_(2)O_(3) ceramics were investigated.Accordingly,the optimal sintering temperature was obtained by adding 30 wt%H_(3)BO_(3) and 8 wt%BCB.We also reduced the sintering temperature to 825°C.Furthermore,the addition of 40 wt%H_(3)BO_(3) and 4 wt%BCB increased the quality factor,permittivity,and temperature coefficient of resonance frequency of MgO-2B_(2)O_(3) to 44,306 GHz(at 15 GHz),5.1,and-32 ppm/℃,respectively.These properties make MgO-2B_(2)O_(3) a viable low-temperature co-fired ceramic with broad applications in microwave dielectrics.