Ceramic dielectrics with high dielectric constant in the microwave frequency range are used as filters, oscillators [I], etc. in microwave integrated
circuits (MICs) particularly in modern communication systems like cellular telephones and
satellite communications. Such ceramics, known as 'dielectric resonators (DRs),donot
only offer miniaturisation and reduce the weight of the microwave components. but also
improve the efficiency of MICs
The microwave dielectric properties of ZnAl2O4 spinels were investigated and their properties
were tailored by adding different mole fractions of Ti02. The samples were synthesized using the mixed
oxide rout.e. The phase purity and crystal structure were identified using X-ray diffraction technique.
The sintered specimens were characterized in the microwave frequency range (3-13 GHz). The ZnA12O4
ceramics exhibited interesting dielectric properties (dielectric constant (e,.) = 8.5, unloaded quality factor
(Q.) = 4590 at 12.27 GHz and temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (Tf) = -79 ppm/°C).
Addition of Ti02 into the spinel improved its properties and the Tf approached zero for 0.83ZnAl2O4-
0.17TiO2• This temperature compensated composition has excellent microwave dielectric properties (Cr _
12.67, Q, = 9950 at 10.075 GHz) which can be exploited for microwave substrate applications