Additive Manufacturing of Ka-Band Dual-Polarization Waveguide Components

摘要: Additive manufacturing (AM) is emerging as a key technology for the minimization and integration of microwave antenna systems. Among several AM processes, selective laser melting (SLM) rather convenient waveguide components, since it allows all-metal parts with mechanical accuracy within 30–60 $\mu \text{m}$ an equivalent surface electrical resistivity in range 10–20 \Omega \text {cm}$ . This paper reports on assessment SLM applicability to dual-polarization components operating Ka-band, namely, septum polarizer, smooth-wall feed horn integrated orthomode transducer (OMT). In order achieve high electromagnetic performance architectures have been optimized process, above all terms orientation building platform supporting structures. As consequence, corresponding prototypes exhibit measured performances significant agreement predicted values. example, return loss has be 25 dB, while isolation between rectangular ports OMT better than 47 dB.