Continuous evolution of the wireless communications emphasizes the jamming issues due to the scarcity of the electromagnetic spectrum used in both terrestrial and space infrastructures. According to the “Yearbook on Space Policy 2009/2010 - Space for Society” book, “We need to think about sophisticated procedures to manage the available frequency slots and/or to extend the usable frequency range using new technologies and transmission techniques”. As a consequence, microwave (MW) links tend to expand toward millimeter-waves (MMWs) and submillimeter-waves (SMMWs). Materials with high dielectric constant, low-losses, and controlled temperature coefficient of the permittivity are very effective for size and weight reduction of the equipment and reliability improvement. The project moves forward terrestrial applications and employs concept from low-loss MW dielectrics for development of the cost-effective materials with appropriate parameters in MMW and SMMW domain. Dielectric properties of Mg₄Nb₂O₉, Mg₂SiO₄, and Zn₂SiO₄ ceramics were investigated in order to provide the basis for developing a new generation of competitive terahertz components that meet the requirements of integration and thermal stability.

Project Teams

CO - National Institute of Materials Physics, Bucharest-Magurele, Romania

Project manager:  Dr. Liviu NEDELCU

Key persons: Dr. Marian Gabriel BANCIU, Dr. Gheorghe Virgil ALDICA, Dr.  Marin CERNEA, Dr. Iuliana PASUK

P1 - Institute of Space Science, Bucharest-Magurele, Romania
Team leader:  Dr. Veta GHENESCU
Key persons: Dr. Ion Sorin ZGURA, Dr. Catalin CUCU-DUMITRESCU, Dr. George MOGILDEA, Dr. Marian MOGILDEA

• Operational requirements specific to space applications.
• Identification of the cosmic radiations that can influence the electromagnetic parameters of dielectric materials.
• Preliminary studies regarding the dispersion of the dielectric function in THz domain of some commercial dielectrics.
• Synthesis and characterization of Mg₄Nb₂O₉, Mg₂SiO₄, and Zn₂SiO₄ ceramics.
• Mg₄Nb₂O₉  and Mg₂SiO₄   samples with good endurance to mechanical vibrations and neutron irradiation.

1. L. Nedelcu, C.D. Geambasu, M.G. Banciu, “Submillimeter-wave properties of low-loss dielectrics studied by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy”, Electroceramics XIV, June 2014, Bucharest, Romania.
2. L. Nedelcu, M.G. Banciu, C.P. Ganea, G.V. Aldica, "Broadband dielectric spectrosocopy of Mg₄Nb₂O₉ ceramics", 14 ^th International Balkan Workshop on Applied Physics, July 2014, Contanta, Romania.
3. L. Nedelcu, C.D. Geambasu, M.G. Banciu, "Millimeter-wave ceramics for harsh environment applications", EMRS Fall Meeting, Warsaw, Poland.
4. L. Nedelcu, C.D. Geambasu, M.G. Banciu,  Process for obtaining of Mg₄Nb₂O₉ ceramics with low absorption in terahertz domain – RO 131868 B1, granted patent

Dr. Liviu Nedelcu

Scientific researcher rank II

Laboratory of Complex Heterostructures and Multifunctional Materials

Phone: +40-(0)21-2418 123

nedelcu@infim.ro