Chipless RFID Tag With Enhanced RCS Used as a Phthalocyanine-Based Solvent Vapors Sensor

A novel uniplanar chipless RFID solvent vapors/gas sensor is proposed in this letter. The sensor etched on an extremely thin capton substrate is composed of the folded dipole resonator loaded by the interdigital capacitor located inside the planar rectangular metallic loop that improves the radar cross section (RCS) response. When illuminated by a plane wave, the folded dipole causes a notch in the RCS response of the loop located near its resonant frequency. The high RCS level (−18 dBsm), together with the notch depth (16 dB) assure a reliable detection of its position within the frequency dependence of RCS curve. In order to enhance the structure sensitivity to the presence of acetone vapors, the tetrasulfonated copper phthalocyanine thin film was applied as a sensitive layer during the process of folded dipole metallization. The experimental verification confirmed the viability of sensor proof-of-concept for the detection of chemical vapors.