Composition-dependent dielectric properties of Zr1−xSnxTiO4 ceramics for resonator oscillator circuits
摘要
Frequency instability in radar systems poses a significant challenge to accurate object detection. To mitigate this issue, the ceramic compound Zr₁₋ₓSnₓTiO₄ (ZST) was investigated for its potential to enhance frequency stability. Compositions with x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 were synthesized via the solid-state reaction method and sintered at 1200 °C for 2 h. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the presence of multiphase structures across all samples. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed particle sizes ranging from 508.68 nm to 847.48 nm. Dielectric properties were characterized using a Network Analyzer at 8 GHz, yielding quality factors (Q) between 4204 and 6500, relative permittivity (εr) values from 36.84 to 37.19, and temperature coefficients of resonant frequency (rf) ranging from − 4.07 ppm/ °C to − 0.81 ppm/ °C over a temperature span of 25–65 °C. Dielectric Resonator Oscillator (DRO) performance was assessed using a Spectrum Analyzer. The ZST ceramics exhibited stable resonant frequencies around 4.0 GHz, with high output power, low phase noise at offset frequencies of 100, 300, 700, and 1000 kHz, and narrow bandwidths. The composition with x = 0.2 demonstrated the most favorable DRO characteristics, including a resonant frequency of 4.1680 GHz, output power of − 8.72 dBm, bandwidth of 58.346 kHz, and phase noise of − 70.56 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset. These findings suggest that ZST ceramics are promising candidates for application in radar systems operating within the C-band frequency range.