Multipactor Effect Characterization of Dielectric Materials for Space Applications

[EN] The objective of this paper is to advance the state of the art in the characterization of the multipactor effect in dielectric materials. The materials studied are the most commonly used dielectrics in space applications, namely, Alumina, Rexolite, Rogers RT5870, Rohacell, Teflon, and Ultem 1000. In this paper, a new family of coaxial waveguide components, covering the L- and S-bands, with a wideband, low-pass response has been designed, and six different prototypes have been specifically optimized and manufactured. The six prototypes have then been used to simulate and measure the multipactor breakdown susceptibility charts for the six dielectric materials investigated. Finally, the simulation results are compared with the results of the measurement campaign indicating good agreement. This work was supported in part by the European Space Agency through Research Project "Novel Investigation in Multipactor Effect in Ferrite and Other Dielectrics Used in High Power RF Space Hardware" under Grant AO 1-7551/13/NL/GLC and in part by MINECO (Spanish Government) through Research and Development Project under Grant TEC2016-75934-C4-1-R. This paper is an expanded version from the IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Workshop Series on Advanced Materials and Processes IMWS-AMP 2017, Pavia, Italy, September 20-22, 2017. Vague Cardona, JJ.; Melgarejo-Lermas, JC.; Guglielmi, M.; Boria Esbert, VE.; Anza Hormigo, S.; Vicente Quiles, CP.; Moreno Cambroreno, MDR... (2018). Multipactor Effect Characterization of Dielectric Materials for Space Applications. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques. 66(8):3644-3655. https://doi.org/10.1109/TMTT.2018.2845869