As society continues to increase its demand for wireless network access, more antennas, base stations, and network access points is a must. By integrating these antennas into existing infrastructure, such as buildings, cars, and street lights, network engineers can begin to meet these demands. In order to integrate antennas into windows, optical transparency is paramount. Optically transparent antennas are currently created through materials known as Transparent Conductive Oxides (TCOs). TCOs are doped metal oxides that have high optical transmittance and low electrical resistivity. TCOs are employed in flat panel displays, touch sensitive control panels, and electromagnetic shielding windows. The most popular material in use, is called Indium Tin Oxide (ITO). ITO however, is becoming expensive to extract, and from mass production, it is becoming scarce. Therefore, an alternative to ITO is needed. Gallium Zinc Oxide (GZO) is an optimal substitute for ITO because it is in the same element group and has comparable conductivity/resistivity values. We have successfully fabricated an optically transparent antenna resonating at 2.4 GHz (Wi-Fi) and two transparent frequency selective surfaces at 27.5 GHz (proposed 5G). Optically transparent antennas allows a promising future in wireless technology such as smart windows, eyeglass telemetry, and even transparent RFID tags.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/capstone/1182/thumbnail.jp
