Large, tunable microwave permittivity in a liquid doped with anisotropic particles.

The effective microwave permittivity of a composite comprising anisotropic particles suspended in a liquid (also known as an artificial Kerr material) is calculated using a numerical scheme. The results are compared to those calculated using analytic effective medium expressions. Several composite materials are predicted to have permittivity that can be tuned over a greater range than liquid crystals, which are currently used in many tunable microwave devices such as phase-shifters and modulators. Estimates for the static electric field required to tune such materials are provided and show that such materials are realistic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]