Microwave dielectric properties and applications of rare-earth aluminates

Abstract

Rare-earth aluminates, LnAlO₃ (Ln = Dy, Er, Gd, La, Nd, Pr, Sm, and Y) were prepared using the mixed oxide method, and their microwave dielectric properties were examined at X-band. Most rare-earth aluminates have suitable permittivities and quality factors for applications as dielectric resonators, but a modification of τ_f is necessary due to the coefficient’s large negative value. When considering dielectric properties and lattice matching, YalO₃ rather than LaAlO₃, was suggested as a promising substrate material for microstrip antennas utilizing high-temperature superconductor thin films. Rare-earth aluminates with a rhombohedral structure exhibited larger permittivities than those with an orthorhombic structure. This difference was attributed to the difference in ionic size and coordination number. It was demonstrated that a nonzero magnetic susceptibility of rare-earth aluminates has an adverse effect on their quality factor. An abrupt variation in the temperature coefficient of permittivity was discussed in terms of oxygen octrahedra tilting.