Fabrication and electromagnetic characterization of novel self-metallized thin films

Abstract

Abstract-Unique, self-metallized films were investigated for deployable reflector antenna applications at L-band. Polyamic acid resins or soluble polyimides were doped with metal complexes, cast into films, and thermally cured. Each resulting film had a metallic layer on one side, adhering unfailingly to the polymer. Metallization was successful for silver or palladium in 3,3',4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride (BTDA) and 4,4'-oxydianiline and for gold in BTDA and 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]hexafluoropropane (4-BDAF) or the space durable polyimide, 2,2-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)-hexafluoropropane dianhydride and 4-BDAF (LaRC-CP1™). Reflectivity, transmissivity, and emissivity were determined, using an HP 8510 Vector Network Analyzer, to within 0.001 precision and accuracy. A custom-made test fixture/positioner, a thru-reflect-line calibration, and calculated reflection coefficients were used. The Ag film proved most suitable for further study, with 0.9957 reflectivity and 0.0042 emissivity. The Pd films were 0.89 reflective and 0.11 emissive; both Au films tested entirely transmissive.Transmission and scanning electron micrographs, S-parameters, and power coefficients are shown.