Optically transparent patch antennas based on silver nanowires for mm-wave applications

This contribution presents a feasibility study to use silver nanowires (AgNWs) for the realization of optically transparent patch antennas at mm-wave frequencies. First, the AgNW coating is characterized in the radio frequency range up to 40 GHz by measuring insertion losses of transmission lines. By means of simulations the electrical conductivity is determined to 7MS/m at a layer thickness of 0.04μm and an optical transmission of 67.9 % for a single AgNW coating. Two patch antennas operating at 24GHz and 61GHz are investigated by numerical simulations concerning typical antenna characteristics. The results show that the thin coating thickness leads to a low antenna efficiency at 24GHz but may be acceptable above 60 GHz.