US3924208A

US3924208A - Temperature compensated dielectric resonators

Info

Publication number: US3924208A
Application number: US572277A
Authority: US
Inventors: James Kevin Plourde
Original assignee: Bell Telephone Laboratories Inc
Current assignee: AT&T Corp
Priority date: 1972-12-22
Filing date: 1975-04-28
Publication date: 1975-12-02
Anticipated expiration: 1992-12-02

Abstract

A dielectric resonator having a high effective dielectric constant, a high effective Q and a low effective temperature coefficient of dielectric constant is realized by a composite resonator comprising a first member including a paraelectric material such as, for example, TiO2 and a second member comprising either the ferroelectric material LiTaO3 or the ferroelectric material LiNbO3. Additionally resistive means applied to the ferroelectric material reduces the increased variations of the effective temperature coefficient of the resonator during rapid temperature changes. This feature is applicable to any microwave device incorporating a pyroelectric ferroelectric.

Description

United States Patent l l Plourde l Dec.2, 1975 l l TEMPERATURE COMPENSATED DIELECTRIC RESONATORS [75] Inventor: James Kevin Plourde, Allentown,

[73] Assignee: Bell Telephone Laboratories,

Incorporated, Murray Hill, NJ.

[22] Filed: Apr. 28, 1975 [2]] App]. No.: 572,277

Related U.S. Application Data {62] Division of Ser. No. 3 l7.385, Dec. 22, I972.

[52] U.S. Cl. 333/82 BT; 333/82 R; 333/83 T [51] Int. Cl. H01? 1/30; HOlP 7/06 [58] Field of Search 333/82 BT, 83 T [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1974 Konishi 333/83 T OTHER PUBLICATIONS Boyd, C.R., Microwave Filters Utilizing Dieletric Resonators lst Quarterly Rep. Contract Da 28-043 AMC()2()88E Rantcc Cort 84966. pp. 8-9. Harrison, W. H. Microwave Filters Utilizing Dielec tric Resonators" Final Rep. Contract Da 28-043 AM- C-()2088E Rantec Corp. 7-1967, pp. 5-10.

Primary E.\'arr ziner-Alfred E. Smith Assistant Examiner-Wm. H. lPunter Attorney, Agent, or FirmWillford L. Wisner [57] ABSTRACT A dielectric resonator having a high effective dielectric constant, a high effective 0 and a low effective temperature coefficient of dielectric constant is realized by a composite resonator comprising a first member including a paraelectric material such as, for example, TiO and a second member comprising either the ferroelectric material LiTaO or the ferroelectric material LiNbO Additionally resistive means applied to the ferroelectric material reduces the increased variations of the effective temperature coefficient of the resonator during rapid temperature changes. This feature is applicable to any microwave device incorporating a pyroelectric ferroelectric.

l'3Claims, 9 Drawing Figures 5551c RESONATOR 5n ll: il PYROELECTRIC FERROELECTRIC 33 ,21, PARAELECTRIC PYROELECTRIC FE RROELECTRIC US. Patent RESONANT F REQUENCY (MHZ) Dec. 2, 1975 3,924,208

Sheet 2 of 5 g SONATOR I 5n ll il K PYROELECTRIC FERROELECTRIC 5 T PARAELECTRIC ll ll: TI!

PYROELECTRIC FERROELECTRIC EFFECTIvE DIELECTRIC CONSTANT FOR LLTG O TLOE RESONATOR 53 EFFECTIVE DIELECTRIC Q FOR L'CTOO TLOg RESONATOR 4860 397 LLTGO TLOg RESONATOR I I I I I 0 IO 20 30 4O 5O 60 TEMPERATURE ICI SLOW CHANGES Sheet 3 of 5 3,924,208

U.S. Patent Dec. 2, 1975 FIG. 5

( LL Ta 0 TLOZ RESONATOR FOR RAPlD TEMPERATURE CHANGES /hr") O 9 0 OJ 9 9 0 O O A 4 A 4 E MO 2 O 0 M 4 21s;

IO 20 3O 4O TEM PERATURE m u u 1/PYROELECTRIC FERROELECTRIC QHIEQE COMPENSATED RESONATOR 0 J 3 PARAELECTRIC U.S. Patent RESONANT FREQUENCY (M H Z) Dec. 2, 1975 Sheet 4 of FIG. 7

4:0 7 LLTGO3 TL 0 RESONATOR HAVING REslmvE PATH CONNECTING 4 I0 I LLTG 0 END SURFACES 4IOO A 4099 l l l l l l l o R) 6O TEMPERATURE c) FIG. 8

QH QE- EEEME g NATOR 5n Qu/ H PY ROELECTRIC FERROELECTRIC 0 f) 0 PARAELECTPi I l5-2 FIG. 9

CHARGE -COM PENSATED RESONATOR 11 u u PYR OELECTRIC FERROELECTRlC L L 94-3 TEMPERATURE COMPENSATED DIELECTRIC RESONATORS CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a division of my copending patent application, Ser. No. 317,385, filed Dec. 22, I972, and assigned to the assignee hereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to microwave devices and, in particular, to temperature compensated microwave de vices employing pyroelectric ferroelectrics.

In recent years, much effort has been expended in an attempt to develop suitable dielectric resonators for applications at microwave frequencies. Such resonators can be dimensionally smaller than conventional microwave cavity resonators, and as a result, can be used to design low-cost microwave filters which are compatible with microwave integrated circuitry.

In my above-cited copending parent application, a composite dielectric microwave resonator was proposed in order to provide such a compact resonator which had adequate microwave characteristics from the viewpoint of Q or overall microwave loss, as well as compactness. In general, the proposal employed a composite of a paraelectric material and a pyroelectric ferroelectric material such as lithium tantalate, the two materials being related in such a way as to provide effective temperature compensation of the composite resonator for substantial temperature changes.

An additional problem of such composite resonators, which was described in my parent application, is provided with a solution, which is the primary objective of this divisional application. That problem is the loss of effective temperature compensation, or the apparent fluctuation in temperature coefficient, of the ferroelectric material during rapid temperature changes because of its pyroelectric properties. This apparent change in temperature coefficient is associated with the separation of charge between two or more surfaces of the pyroelectric ferroelectric material or between a surface of that material and its interface with its support, which is usually a substantially insulating material, either dielectric or paraelectric.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to my present invention, and as disclosed in my above-cited parent application, the undesired charge separation between faces of the pyroelectric ferroelectric material, which changes the effective temperature coefficient and impairs effective temperature compensation during rapid temperature changes, is combatted by resistive means at least on the surface of the ferroelectric for facilitating discharge of the separated charge.

It is one aspect of my present invention that this resistive means for combatting charge separation, by being demonstrated for a microwave composite dielectric resonator, is clearly applicable to any microwave device employing a pyroelectric ferroelectric material.

Subsidiary features of the invention relate to the particular arrangements of the resistive means for various arrangements of composite microwave resonators. Still other features relate to the specific composition and deposition of the resistive means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A clearer understanding of the above-mentioned features of the present invention can be obtained by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a composite resonator in accordance with my above-cited copending parent application;

FIG. 2 illustrates the resonant frequency versus temperature characteristic of the resonator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of a composite resonator in accordance with the principles of my above-cited copending parent application;

FIG. 4 is illustrative of the resonant frequency versus temperature characteristic of the resonator of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows the resonant frequency hysteresis effect exhibited by the resonator of FIG. 1 during rapid temperature variations;

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of my present invention, in which resistive paths are used' to eliminate the resonant frequency hysteresis exhibited during rapid temperature variations;

FIG. 7 shows the resonant frequency versus temperature characteristic for the modified resonator of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 illustrates a modification of the resonator of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 3 in which resistive paths are used to eliminate the resonant frequency hysteresis exhibited during rapid temperature variation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In FIG. 1, a dielectric resonator 11, in accordance with the principles set out in my above-cited parent application, is illustrated. As shown, resonator 11 comprises two

cylindrical members

12 and 13 which are joined along adjacent circular end surfaces 14 and 15, respectively.

Cylindrical members

12 and 13 are of unequal longitudinal lengths L, and L respectively. Moreover, each of the members is assumed to have a circular cross section of radius r, where r is greater than one-half the sum of the lengths L and L The two cylindrical members thus form a composite cylindrical structure having a longitudinal axis, a radius r and a longitudinal length L equal to (L L As disclosed in my above-cited parent application, the cylindrical member 12 comprises a paraelectric material having a high dielectric Q and a negative temperature coefficient of dielectric constant. These parameters are designated in FIG. 1 as 6 Q and r respectively. A typical paraelectric material which can be used to form member 12 is TiO In further accord with the invention, the cylindrical member 13 comprises either the ferroelectric material LiNbO or the ferroelectric material LiTaO As is well known, each of these materials is anisotropic and thus each exhibits different dielectric constants and Os and different temperature coefficients of dielectric constant for waves having their electric fields polarized in different directions. It has been recognized, however, that each of these materials exhibits a particularly desirable combination of such parameters for waves at microwave frequencies having their electric fields in directions orthogonal to the optical axis of the material. In particular, it is found that for such waves a high dielectric constant and Q, in addition to a positive temperature coefficient of dielectric constant, are exhibited.

Advantageously, therefore, cylindrical member 13 has its optical axis parallel to its longitudinal dimension and thus in the direction of the resonator axis. The dielectric constant, dielectric Q and temperature coefficient of this member which are designated in FIG. 1 in accordance with conventional crystallographic convention as e Q and 1' respectively, will thus have values as indicated above for all modes propagating along the resonator axis having their electric fields normal thereto, i.e., for all TE modes.

With

members

12 and 13 thus chosen and arranged in the above-described manner, resonator 11 will have an effective dielectric constant, effective dielectric Q and effective temperature coefficient of dielectric constant for TE mode excitation which are functions primarily of the parameters s an, Q0, Q 7 r and L and L More particularly, since TE modes propagating through the resonator will have their electric fields in the plane of the dielectric interface formed by surfaces 14 and of

members

12 and 13, respectively, the composite resonator, to a first order approximation, can be analyzed electrically as a parallel combination of two dielectric members. From such analysis, it can be shown that the effective temperature coefficient of dielectric constant of the resonator will be low when the lengths L and L of the

members

12 and 13, respectively, satisfy, to'a first order approximation, the relationship 7 Moreover, such analysis further shows that with the lengths L and L of resonator 11 selected in accordance with Eq. (1) and thus to realize a low temperature coefficient that the effective dielectric constant and Q of the resonator will be high. This result is due to the fact that the effective dielectric constant and Q, while also found to be functions of the lengths L and L have lower limits which are independent of the latter. lengths and which are given respectively by the lesser of the two dielectric constants 6 and 6 and the lesser of the two dielectric Qs, Q and Q Since, however, in accordance with the invention the

materials comprising members

12 and 13 are such that both Q and Q are high and both 6 and e are high, the effective dielectric constant and Q of resonator 11 will also be high, even in the limiting case.

As indicated hereinabove, the realization of a composite dielectric resonator which exhibits a low effective temperature coefficient of dielectric constant and, hence, changes with temperature of its effective dielectric constant which are small results in achieving a resonator whose resonant frequency remains substantially constant with changes in temperature. This result can be readily understood by observing that the change in the resonator resonant frequency with temperature is primarily a function of the change with temperature of two resonator parameters, namely the resonator dimensions and the resonator effective dielectric constant. Since, however, the changes in the resonator dimensions resulting from a change in temperature are small in themselves, causing the changes in the effective dielectric constant of the resonator to be small will result in a resonant frequency whose changes with tem- 4 perature are also small. The degree of compensation achieved by composite resonator 11 can thus be observed by examining a plot showing the changes in the resonator resonant frequency as a function of changes in temperature.

In FIG. 2 the resonant frequency versus temperature characteristic of resonator 11 is shown for a particular illustrative case in which

members

12 and 13 are comprised, respectively, of the materials TiO and LiTaO and the resonator is excited in the lowest frequency TE mode, i.e., the TE mode. The particular case shown is for a ratio of L /L 0.185, which ratio agrees quite favorably with the theoretical ratio of 0.17 predicted by Eq. (I). As can be seen, the resonant frequency characteristic of the composite LiTaO -TiO resonator shows a change over a temperature range from 0 to C which compares quite favorably with that exhibited by the resonant frequency characteristic (broken line curve in FIG. 2) of a conventional copper cavity resonator, thus indicating suitable compensation has been realized. Moreover, as also indicated, the aforesaid compensation has been achieved while additionally realizing a high effective dielectric constant equal to 49.5 and a high effective Q equal to 4280. Additional parameters relating to the latter structure are degrees C dielectric constant is varied from that given by Eq. (1).

More specifically, instead of the ratio of the lengths L and L having to satisfy the relationship given by the right side of the Eq. (1 the ratio of the volumes V and V of the two

cylindrical members

12 and 13, respectively, must satisfy the right side of the equation. Thus, for this case Eq. (1) becomes In FIG. 3, a second composite dielectric resonator 31, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, is illustrated. Resonator 31 comprises two similarly shaped

solid members

32 and 33. As shown, each of the latter members has a longitudinal length L and a crosssection normal to the latter length which has the shape of a segment of a circle. The cross section of each member thus has a maximum vertical dimension r and a maximum transverse dimension w the latter two dimensions representing, respectively, the maximum thickness and maximum width of the member. The

members

32 and 33 are arranged with their rectangular plz e surfaces 32-1 and 33-1 separate but facing each other. Filling the region between the aforesaid plane surfaces is a third member 34 having a thickness t and a length and width equal to those of

members

32 and 33. Resonator 31 thus formed has a maximum thickness equal to (Zt t a maximum width equal to w and a length equal to L, the latter length dimension being assumed, in the present illustrative case, to be less than either of the aforesaid maximum thickness and width dimensions.

Member 34 of resonator 31 is comprised of the same material comprising member 12 in FIG. 1. Thus it has a high dielectric constant, high Q and a negative temperature coefficient of dielectric constant, these parameters being designated by 6 Q and T as in FIG. 1.

Member

32 and 33, on the other hand, are comprised of the same material comprising member 13 in FIG. 1, i.e., of either the ferroelectric material LiTaO or LiN- bO and are arranged with their optical axes parallel to the resonator axis, which is in the longitudinal direction. Thus, as in the previous embodiment, all the resonator TE modes, i.e., those having electric fields normal to optical axis of

members

32 and 33, when propagating in the latter members see the same high dielectric constant, high Q, and positive temperature coefficient of dielectric constant as seen by the TE modes propagating in member 13 of the resonator of FIG. 1. The aforesaid parameters have thus been similarly depicted in FIG. 2 by the symbols 6 Q and 1- With composite resonator 31 formed in the abovedescribed manner, TE modes propagating therethrough will have their electric fields in a direction normal to the dielectric interfaces formed by member 34 and

members

32 and 33. As a result, unlike resonator 11, resonator 31, to a first order approximation, appears electrically as a series combination of dielectric members. Analysis of resonator 31 as such an electrical combination, however, shows the resonator to have a high effective Q and a high effective dielectric constant for TE mode excitation, as was the case with resonator 1 1. Moreover, for such excitation the aforesaid analysis further shows that resonator 31 will additionally exhibit an effective temperature coefficient of dielectric constant which is substantially low when the ratio of the area A of the cross section of member 34 normal to its length to the total area A of the cross sections of

members

32 and 33 normal to their lengths is related to the parameters 6 7 e and 1- in a specific manner. More particularly, the aforesaid relationship, to a first order approximation, is given by As with resonator 11, the degree of temperature compensation realized by the composite resonator 31 can be observed by noting the variation of the resonator resonant frequency with changes in temperature. FIG. 4 illustrates such variations for a typical case in which the resonator is excited in the TE mode and the

cylindrical members

32 and 33 comprise LiTaO and the member 34 comprises TiO As can be seen from the illustration, a total resonant frequency excursion of approximately 2 MHz is found to occur over a temperature change of 60C. The latter frequency change agrees quite favorably with that occurring in the resonator of FIG. 1, and thus is indicative of the fact that suitable temperature compensation has been achieved. Moreover, as indicated in FIG. 4, a high-effective dielectric constant and Q for the composite resonator have also been realized. For the particular situation illustrated, a ratio of (A /A of 0.48 was used. Moreover, the parameters 6 Q 'r e Q and 7 had 6 values similar to those listed above for the illustrative resonator whose characteristic is shown in FIG. 2. Other parameters of interest in this illustrative case were In developing the composite resonators of FIGS. 1 and 3, it was found that while the resonant frequency versus temperature characteristics corresponding to these resonators were adequately depicted by FIGS. 2 and 4, respectively, when the resonators encountered temperature changes over long time intervals and, thus, were in an equilibrium condition, such was not the case when the resonators were subjected to more rapid temperature variations. More particularly, the characteristics of FIGS. 2 and 4 were obtained for slow temperature changes of the order of 3C/hr. For more rapid temperature changes, however, these characteristics become altered and exhibit a resonant frequency hysteresis effect which tends to increase the resonant frequency variation and thus decrease the frequency stability of the resonators.

Curve 51 in FIG. 5 illustrates the aforesaid resonant frequency hysteresis for the composite resonator whose resonant frequency characteristic for slow temperature variations is illustrated in FIG. 2. In particular, characteristic 51 is plotted for rapid temperature changes of the order of 45C/hr. As is readily apparent, the characteristic follows a typical hysteresis type loop, with the upper and lower portions of the loop corresponding to the resonant frequency variations during rapid increases and rapid decreases, respectively, in temperature. As is also apparent, the [hysteresis type resonant frequency characteristic has the result of increasing the total frequency variation of the resonator over the depicted temperature range as compared to the variation experienced in the case of slow temperature variations. Thus, an increase in the total frequency excursion from 2 MHz to approximately 4 MHz is found to result.

As above-indicated, the aforesaid hysteresis effect and its resultant increase in resonant frequency variation will be exhibited by the resonators of FIGS. 1 and 3 only when the resonators are employed in situations where they will experience rapid temperature changes. While in most of these situations the increase in resonant frequency change might be tolerable, some situations may arise which dictate the desirability of a change which more closely approximates that occurring during slow temperature changes.

In such situations, it has been found that by modifying the resonators of FIGS. 1 and 3, the undesirable hysteresis effect can be substantially eliminated. More particularly, it has been recognized that the aforesaid result can be realized by connecting the end surfaces, i.e., those surfaces normal to the optical axis of each of the ferroelectric members of the composite resonator, through a resistive path having a resistivity and dimensions such that electrical resistance of the path is less than the electrical resistance measured between the end surfaces of the ferroelectric member.

FIG. 6 shows the resonator of FIG. 1 modified to include such a resistive path. The basic resonator 61 in FIG. 6 is exactly the same as that of FIG. 1, and, hence, the same reference numerals have been used to indicate similar parts. The only additions to the resonator of FIG. 1 shown in FIG. 6 are the

resistive paths

62, 63 and 64, each of which connects the two circular end surfaces and 66 of ferroelectric member 13 and each of which has a resistance which is less than the resistance measured lengthwise across the latter member (i.e., the resistance measured between the two

end surfaces

15 and 66 of the member). As shown, each of the

resistive paths

62, 63 and 64 comprises a thin strip of material extending longitudinally along the length of the cylindrical surface of member 13 on opposing sides thereof and extending diagonally across each of the two circular end surfaces 15 and 66. Advantageously, therefore, the portions of each path lying along the aforesaid cylindrical surface will be normal to the electric fields of the TE 6 mode propagating through the body of member 13. As a result, any coupling which might occur between this mode and the resistive paths is thereby minimized.

In FIG. 7, the resonant frequency versus temperature characteristic of the resonator of FIG. 6 is illustrated for rapid changes in temperature. The resonator dimensions and parameters for this illustrative case were the same as those pertaining to the illustrative case of FIG. 2. The material employed for the

resistive paths

62, 63 and 64 was Ta N although other material such as, for example, gold might also have been employed. As can be readily observed, the use of the resistive paths has substantially reduced the resonant frequency hysteresis, thereby resulting in a total resonant frequency excursion which closely approximates that occurring in FIG. 2 for slow temperature changes.

It should be pointed out that in the discussion of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 7 it was assumed that the ferroelectric members employed therein had first been polarized to establish similarly directed polarization fields in the members, the latter fields being parallel to optical axes of the members. Techniques for polarizing ferroelectric meterials to achieve such a result are well known in the art. A typical arrangement is disclosed in Ferroelectric Domain Reversal in Lithium Metatantalate, A. A. Ballman and H. Brown, Ferroelectrics Vol. 4, No. 3, pp. 1S9-l95, November 1972.

As discussed above, the resonant frequency hysteresis occurring during rapid temperature changes can be substantially eliminated by applying a resistive path between the end surfaces of the ferroelectric members or members of the resonator. This result can be best understood by examining the various effects contributing to the change in the dielectric constant of the ferroelectric materials LiTaO and LiNbO during temperature changes.

More particularly, it has been recognized coefficient when a temperature change is applied to either one of these materials, the dielectric constant of the material undergoes a change which is a function not only of the dielectric properties of the material, but also the pyroelectric properties thereof. Thus, it is found that when a temperature change occurs that the dielectric constant of the material, due to its dielectric properties, undergoes a direct change which is measured by the temperature eoefficient of dielectric constant. However, it is also found that the pyroelectric properties of the material cause the dielectric constant to experience still a further indirect change which alters the aforesaid temperature coefficient, thus causing the hysteresis type behavior discussed above.

Whether the aforesaid indirect change and resultant hysteresis behavior is, in fact, observable during any particular temperature change is, however, dependent upon how fast or slow the temperature change is occurring. This result can be explained by examining further the pyroelectric mechanism causing the indirect change. More particularly, as a result of the aforesaid mechanism, a temperature change applied to the Li- TaO (or LiNbO material causes positive and negative charge, respectively, to accumulate on opposing surfaces of the material which are normal to, or intercept the direction of, the polarization field, therein, which, as stated above, is parallel the optical axis. Since, however, the material has a finite resistivity, the material itself provides a resistive discharge path between the aforesaid opposing surfaces and thus tends to dissipate the charge as it is being accumulated. When the temperature change is slowly applied, relative to the time constant of the aforesaid discharge path, charge is dissipated from the surfaces at a faster rate than it is accumulated and, as a result, no net accumulation of charge occurs. Thus, under such circumstances, no observable effect on the dielectric constant of the material results. However, when the temperature change is rapidly applied, relative to the aforesaid time constant, charge is dissipated from the surfaces at a slower rate than it is accumulated and, in this case, a net accumulation of charge on the surfaces does result. The aforesaid net charge, in turn, sets up a static electric field in the material along the direction of polarization and it is this field that provides the indirect change in the dielectric constant which results in the observed hysteresis behavior.

It is apparent from the above, therefore, that if during such rapid temperature changes the surfaces of the ferroelectric material where the charge is being accumulated are coupled by a resistive path whose resistance is less than that between the surfaces then a significant reduction in the inherent time constant governing the discharge of the charge will occur. As a result, the appearance of a significant net charge accumulation will be substantially prevented and the hysteresis behavior of the dielectric constant significantly reduced. Such is the effect realized by employing the

resistance paths

62, 63 and 64 to couple the end surfaces 15 and 66 of the ferroelectric member 13 of the composite resonator illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows the resonator of FIG. 6 modified such that the resistive paths need only be applied to and between the circular end surfaces of the ferroelectric members. More particularly, in FIG. 8, the ferroelectric cylindrical portion comprises two half cylindrical members 13-1 and 13-2 which have been poled parallel to the optical axes, which are intercepted by the cylindrical end surfaces, but in opposite senses relative to one another. This is illustrated in FIG. 8 by the opposing polarization fields P and P respectively. A first set of resistive strips 62-1, 63-1 and 64-1, similar to those in FIG. 6, is used to connect the semicircular end surface 66-1 of member 13-1 to the adjacent semicircular end surface 66-2 of member 13-2. A second set of resistive strips 62-2, 63-2 and 64-2, similar to the first set of strips, performs a similar function with respect to the adjacent semicircular and end surfaces 15-1 and 15-2, respectively of the latter members.

As a result of the manner in which members 13-1 and 13-2 are poled, the charge accumulated on the adjacent surfaces 66-1 and 66-2 and the adjacent surfaces 15-1 and 15-2, which charge results in the above-discussed dielectric hysteresis, will be opposite in sign. Thus, the resistive paths 62-1, 63-1 and 64-1 provide a low time-constant discharge path for the opposing charge accumulated on the two surfaces 66-1 and 66-2, and the paths 62-2, 63-2 and 64-2 for the opposing charge on the surfaces 15-1 and 15-2. The net result is thus similar to that achieved by the resistive strips in FIG. 6, and, as a result, a significant reduction in the hysteresis is observed.

FIG. 9 illustrates the resonator of FIG. 3 modified to also include resistive means for reducing the hysteresis effects exhibited by the resonator. In particular, the additions to the resonator of FIG. 3, shown in FIG: 9, are the resistive paths 92-1 and 92-2'and 92-3 which connect the two semicircular end surfaces 93-1 and 93-2 of ferroelectric member 32, which end surfaces intercept or cut its optical axis, and the resistive paths 94-1 and 94-2 and 94-3, which connect the two semicircular end surfaces 95-1 and 95-2 of ferroelectric member 33, which end surfaces intercept or cut its optical axis. By causing each of the aforesaid paths to have a resistance which is less than the resistance measured lengthwise across its respective member, each path acts to reduce the hysteresis effect exhibited by resonator 91 in a similar manner as the resistive paths employed in the resonators of FIGS. 6 and 8.

As indicated hereinabove, the basic composite resonator configurations of FIGS. 1 and 3 can be approximated electrically as parallel and series combinations, respectively, of their constituent dielectric members. The two configurations thus indicate that a composite resonator having appropriate dielectric properties (high dielectric constant and Q and low temperature coefficient of dielectric constant) and appropriate compensation for pyroelectrically separated charge for resonator operation can be realized for the two extreme situations of parallel and series mixing of the dielectric properties of component members comprised of specific dielectric materials. Other types of dielectric mixing resulting from different combinations of these dielectric members will thus tend to result in effective dielectric properties for the combined structures which are somewhere in between those realized for the aforesaid extreme cases. Thus, such other composite structures will also have high effective dielectric constants and OS and low temperature coefficients of dielectric constant and, as a result, will also be suitable for dielectric resonator operation. They can also be compensated for pyroelectrically separated charge according to the principles disclosed for FIGS. 6, 8 and 9.

In all cases, it is understood that the abovedescribed arrangements are merely illustrative of a number of the many possible specific embodiments which represent applications of the present invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can be readily devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It should be clear, in general, that a microwave device employing a pyroelectric ferroelectric must be supported on something. In those cases in which it is not supported on a paraelectric material as in FIGS. 6 or 8 or on a dielectric material, as would be necessary for the embodiment of FIG. 9, it may, for example, be supported on or above a conductive plane. In such a case the resistive means need be continued only as far as is effective to contact two different surfaces intercepting the optical axis along which the material is polarized in order to combat the undesired charge separation.

What is claimed is:

1. A microwave device comprising a first member, and a second member of pyroelectric ferroelectric material disposed on said first member, said second member having an optical axis and abutting said first member in a. configuration that allows charge separation to occur between two separate surfaces intercepting said optical axis, and resistive means contacting and providing coupling between said two surfaces of said second member. and having a resistance less than that of said pyroelectric ferroelectric material for counteracting said charge separation.

2. A microwave device according to claim 1 in which the resistance of the resistive means is selected substantially to counteract changes in the effective tempera-- ture coefficient of said second member for changes in temperature at differing rates.

3. A microwave device according to claim 1 in which one of the two surfaces of said second member is substantially normal to said optical axis and abuts said first member to form an interface therewith and in which the resistive means contacts and provides coupling between said interface and the other of the two surfaces.

4. A microwave device according to claim 1 in which the first and second members form an interface substantially parallel to the optical axis of the second member, the two surfaces intercepting the optical axis being substantially normal to said interface and in which the resistive means contacts and provides coupling between said two surfaces.

5. A composite dielectric microwave resonator comprising a first member of paraelectric material and a second member of pyroelectric ferroelectric material, said second member abutting said first member in a configuration that allows charge separation to occur between two separate surfaces of said second member, said two surfaces intercepting. the optical axis of said second member, and resistive means disposed on said second member to contact and provide coupling between said two surfaces, said resistive means having a resistance less than that of the ferroelectric material of said second member for facilitating discharge of the separated charge.

6. A composite dielectric microwave resonator according to claim 5 in which said first and second members abut each other at an interface substantially normal to the optical axis of said second member, said interface including one of the two separate surfaces of the second member, and in which the resistive means extends across said interface.

7. A composite dielectric microwave resonator according to claim 5 in which the first and second members abut each other at an interface substantially parallel to the optical axis of said second member, the two separate surfaces of the second member being substantially normal to said interface, and in which the resis- 1 1 tive means extends between and across said two surfaces.

8. A dielectric resonator for wave energy having a frequency in the microwave frequency range comprismg:

a first member having a high dielectric constant, a high Q, and a negative rate of change of dielectric constant with temperature over said frequency range, said first member including a paraelectric material;

a second member having a high dielectric constant, a high Q, and a positive rate of change of dielectric constant with temperature over said frequency range, said second member comprising LiTaO- said first and second members being arranged to form a composite resonator structure having a high effective dielectric constant, a high effective Q and a rate of change of said effective dielectric constant with temperature which is substantially low over said frequency range; and

resistive means having a resistance less than that of the material comprising said second member for providing a discharge path between two surfaces of said second member for opposite charges accumulated on said surfaces.

9. A dielectric resonator in accordance with claim 8 in which one of the two surfaces of said second member is the interface between the first and second members and the resistive means provides coupling between the other of the two surfaces and said interface.

10. A dielectric resonator in accordance with claim 9 in which the second member has a cylindrical surface substantially orthogonal to said interface and in which said resistive means comprises a plurality of resistive strips of material, each of said strips extending on opposing sides along the length of the cylindrical surface of said second member and diagonally across said other surface and said interface.

11. A dielectric resonator in accordance with claim 8 in which the second member has two like portions forming two like interfaces with the first member substantially parallel their optical axes, and which includes, in addition, resistive means having a resistance less than that of said portions of said second member for providing coupling between two opposing end surfaces intercepting the optical axis of said first portion and for providing coupling between two opposing end surfaces intercepting the optical axis of said second portion, said first and second portions being polarized in opposite directions.

12. A dielectric resonator in accordance with claim 8 in which said second member comprises:

first and second half cylindrical portions which are joined to the first member along their rectangular plane surfaces; said first portion being polarized in a first direction and having first and second semicircular end surfaces; said second portion being polarized in a direction opposite to said first direction and having third and fourth semicircular end surfaces which are coplanar with said first and second surfaces, respectively, and resistive means having a resistance less than that of said second member for providing coupling between said first and third coplanar semicircular surfaces and for providing coupling between said second and fourth coplanar semicircular members.

13. A dielectric resonator in accordance with claim 12 in which said resistive means comprises:

a first plurality of resistive srips of material, each of which extends across said first and third surfaces; and

a second plurality of resistive strips of material, each of which extends across said second and fourth surfaces

Claims

1. A microwave device comprising a first member, and a second member of pyroelectric ferroelectric material disposed on said first member, said second member having an optical axis and abutting said first member in a configuration that allows charge separation to occur between two separate surfaces intercepting said optical axis, and resistive means contacting and providing coupling between said two surfaces of said second member and having a resistance less than that of said pyroelectric ferroelectric material for counteracting said charge separation.

2. A microwave device according to claim 1 in which the resistance of the resistive means is selected substantially to counteract changes in the effective temperature coefficient of said second member for changes in temperature at differing rates.

5. A composite dielectric microwave resonator comprising a first member of paraElectric material and a second member of pyroelectric ferroelectric material, said second member abutting said first member in a configuration that allows charge separation to occur between two separate surfaces of said second member, said two surfaces intercepting the optical axis of said second member, and resistive means disposed on said second member to contact and provide coupling between said two surfaces, said resistive means having a resistance less than that of the ferroelectric material of said second member for facilitating discharge of the separated charge.

7. A composite dielectric microwave resonator according to claim 5 in which the first and second members abut each other at an interface substantially parallel to the optical axis of said second member, the two separate surfaces of the second member being substantially normal to said interface, and in which the resistive means extends between and across said two surfaces.

8. A dielectric resonator for wave energy having a frequency in the microwave frequency range comprising: a first member having a high dielectric constant, a high Q, and a negative rate of change of dielectric constant with temperature over said frequency range, said first member including a paraelectric material; a second member having a high dielectric constant, a high Q, and a positive rate of change of dielectric constant with temperature over said frequency range, said second member comprising LiTaO3; said first and second members being arranged to form a composite resonator structure having a high effective dielectric constant, a high effective Q and a rate of change of said effective dielectric constant with temperature which is substantially low over said frequency range; and resistive means having a resistance less than that of the material comprising said second member for providing a discharge path between two surfaces of said second member for opposite charges accumulated on said surfaces.

12. A dielectric resonator in accordance with claim 8 in which said second member comprises: first and second half cylindrical portions which are joined to the first member along their rectangular plane surfaces; said first portion being polarized in a first direction and having first and second semicircular end surfaces; said second portion being polarized in a direction opposite to Said first direction and having third and fourth semicircular end surfaces which are coplanar with said first and second surfaces, respectively, and resistive means having a resistance less than that of said second member for providing coupling between said first and third coplanar semicircular surfaces and for providing coupling between said second and fourth coplanar semicircular members.

13. A dielectric resonator in accordance with claim 12 in which said resistive means comprises: a first plurality of resistive srips of material, each of which extends across said first and third surfaces; and a second plurality of resistive strips of material, each of which extends across said second and fourth surfaces.