Polyethylene-on-quartz platform for subterahertz reconfigurable reflective surfaces

Subterahertz frequency band is preallocated for the deployment of sixth generation wireless networks. Mastering of this band is challenging and requires development of appropriate hardware and software. The properties of  components used should be authentically known for the purpose of accurate designing and prototyping. This research focuses on the radiophysical properties of a polyethylene-on-quartz sandwich as a potential dielectric platform  for the implementation of reconfigurable reflective surfaces. The sandwich is exposed to spectral studies, statistical analysis of feasible fabrication tolerances and compatibility with cleanroom metal deposition and patterning  processes. Its technological robustness is assessed upon prototyping of a 16-element planar reflectarray designed for operation in specular and non- specular reflection regimes at 155 GHz and 120 GHz, respectively. Using the  measured value of quartz permittivity of a 3.55 and the loss tangent of a 0.001, we calculate the reflectarray reflection losses of approximately 1.5 dB. The calculations agree well with the results of its radiation pattern measurements  conducted at 155 GHz. This hints that the developed passive platform is suitable for integration with A3B5 active layers with nonlinear elements ensuring fast beam steering in the subterahertz band.