Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 29, 2025
10:22
Fabrication and Characterization of Optical Tissue Phantoms Containing Macrostructure
Published on: February 12, 2018
11.1K
Production method of millimeter-wave absorber with 3D-printed mold.
S Adachi1, M Hattori2, F Kanno2
1Division of Physics and Astronomy, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwakecho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.
The Review of Scientific Instruments
|February 5, 2020
Summary
A new 3D-printed mold method creates millimeter-wave absorbers with periodic pyramid structures. This technique enables easy prototyping and achieves low reflectance (~1% at 100 GHz), even under cryogenic conditions.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electromagnetics
- Additive Manufacturing
Background:
- Millimeter-wave (mmWave) absorbers are crucial for reducing unwanted signal reflections in various electronic systems.
- Traditional fabrication methods can be complex and limit design flexibility.
- The need for absorbers with specific geometries and materials, especially for applications requiring cryogenic performance, is increasing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel and efficient production method for millimeter-wave absorbers using 3D printing.
- To demonstrate the feasibility of creating absorbers with reduced surface reflection and good cryogenic properties.
- To facilitate rapid prototyping of custom-designed mmWave absorbers.
Main Methods:
- A 3D-printed mold with a periodic pyramid structure was designed and fabricated using millimeter-wave transparent material.
- An absorptive material (two-component epoxy encapsulant) was filled into the 3D-printed mold.
- The resulting absorber was tested for reflectance at 100 GHz.
- Cryogenic performance was evaluated by assessing mechanical strength after immersion in liquid nitrogen.
Main Results:
- The 3D-printed mold allowed for direct fabrication without the need for unmolding.
- The periodic pyramid structure effectively reduced surface reflection.
- The test model achieved a low reflectance of approximately 1% at 100 GHz.
- The absorber demonstrated sufficient mechanical strength after cryogenic testing in liquid nitrogen.
Conclusions:
- The 3D-printed mold method provides an effective and versatile approach for producing millimeter-wave absorbers.
- This technique allows for easy customization of absorber shapes and materials.
- The developed absorbers exhibit excellent electromagnetic performance and robust cryogenic capabilities, suitable for sensitive applications like superconducting detectors.
