Nonreciprocal microwave devices based on magnetic nanocomposites made of opal matrices

Abstract

Microwave circulators based on magnetic nanocomposites made of opal matrices are mathematically simulated and experimentally studied. Mathematical models are based on the solution of the 3D diffraction problems using the projection method and the decomposition computational algorithm that employs autonomous units with magnetic nanoinclusions and virtual Floquet channels. The computational algorithm developed using the projection method with effective parameters of the magnetic nanocomposite is used to calculate the S parameters of the scattering matrix of the microwave Y circulator based on the opal-matrix magnetic nanocomposite. The S parameters (real loss, isolation between arms, and reflection coefficient) of the Y circulator are measured for several nanocomposites made of opal matrices with magnetic nanoparticles (Co_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ and Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄) and compared with the parameters of the circulator based on magnesium–manganese ferrite in a frequency interval of 14–18 GHz. The simulated results are compared with the experimental dependences.