Reconfigurable waveguide polariser based on liquid crystal for continuous tuning of linear polarisation

Abstract

A reconfigurable waveguide polariser for changing the linear polarisation of the TE11 mode in a circular waveguide is presented. A liquid crystal based twisted nematic cell concept, similar to a liquid crystal display, is innovatively adapted for the tunable RF polariser. The polarisation state can be continuously turned in the range from 90° to -90° with a relatively low insertion loss between 4 to 5 dB at 50 GH