S.A. Korolyov1, A.V. Zaitsev2, V.M. Seleznev3, I.A. Illarionov4, M.D. Proyavin5, A.A. Orlovkiy6, V.E. Kotomina7

1 Institute for Physics of Microstructures of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Nizhny Novgorod, Russia)

2 Nizhny Novgorod State Technical University (Nizhny Novgorod, Russia)

3 Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Nizhny Novgorod, Russia)

4 Volga State University of Water Transport (Nizhny Novgorod, Russia)

1 pesh@ipm.sci-nnov.ru; 2 zaytsev@ipmras.ru; 3 valentin.seleznev@wcc.unn.ru; 4 illarionov@list.ru; 5 pmd@ipfran.ru; 6 alexorlovskiy@ipfran.ru; 7 kotomina@ipfran.ru

Problem statement. The millimeter-wave range is optimal in terms of obtaining radio images of the surrounding space under adverse environmental conditions. Of particular value are passive radio imaging systems that do not require the use of an artificial light source. The problem with modern passive millimeter-wave imaging systems is their large size and high cost, which makes them uncompetitive compared to the corresponding optical and infrared devices.

The purpose of the work. Most modern passive millimeter-wave imaging systems are based on the use of mechanical scanning, which is the result of the need to reduce the cost of the device by reducing the number of receiving elements. However, this approach does not allow to make the device portable. It is desirable to use a quasi-optical array receiver having a simple design and low cost. In this case, it seems most natural to use a layered topology in which an array of antennas, an array of sensing elements, an array of low-frequency amplifiers, etc. are separate components connected to each other. The purpose of this work is to explore the possibilities of 3D printing technology for creating an array of antennas for a quasi-optical radio imaging system.

Results of the work. A new approach to creating a wideband antenna array for quasi-optical millimeter-wave imaging systems has been proposed. The approach is based on the use of photopolymer 3D printing technology with chemical metallization of the surface (chemical metallization photopolymer based structures, CMPS). The metallization method consists in sequentially immersing the sample in chemical solutions, which makes it possible to form a metal layer even in hard-to-reach places. In our case, it allows to metallize long narrow channels of the antennas. W band horn antennas and a 3×3 antenna array with a pitch of 4 mm have been developed and fabricated. The characteristics of the antennas were measured, and a good agreement with the simulation results was demonstrated, which indicates the high quality of the antenna array obtained.

Practical significance of the results of the work. The proposed method of fabricating an antenna array for quasi-optical radio imaging systems may have economic advantages over, for example, the stamping method at the prototyping stage of the device, as well as in the manufacture of small series of devices.

The study was supported by Russian Science Foundation, grant number 22-79-10029-П, https://rscf.ru/project/22-79-10029-П/. Part of this work according to manufacturing horn antenna was supported by IAP RAS project FFUF-2024-0027. Facilities of Center “Physics and technology of micro- and nanostructures” at IPM RAS.

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P. 174−182. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18127/j00338486-202608-16

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