Liquid crystal phase shifter and manufacturing method therefor, and antenna

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a liquid crystal phase shifter and a manufacturing method therefor, and an antenna. The liquid crystal phase shifter provided by the present disclosure comprises a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer, a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer. The first substrate and the second substrate are oppositely arranged. The liquid crystal layer is located between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first electrode layer is located on the side of the first substrate facing the liquid crystal layer, and the second electrode layer is located on the side of the second substrate facing the liquid crystal layer. There is an overlap between the orthographic projections of the second electrode layer and the first electrode layer on the first substrate, wherein the ratio of the area of the overlap portion to the area of the first electrode layer is less than 0.6. The liquid crystal layer comprises liquid crystal molecules and a chiral dopant, such that when an electric field is formed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer can align along the direction of the electric field; and a plurality of spiral liquid crystal cells are formed when there is no electric field between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. The present disclosure can shorten the switching time of liquid crystal phase shifters.

Description

Liquid crystal phase shifter, manufacturing method thereof, and antenna Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a liquid crystal phase shifter, a preparation method thereof, and an antenna. Background Art

[0002] With the development of communication technology, the number of antenna types has increased significantly. Liquid crystal phased array antennas are currently a key research and development area in the wireless communications field. Liquid crystal phased array antennas utilize the dielectric anisotropy of liquid crystals to control their deflection direction by applying a deflection voltage to the liquid crystal layer. This, in turn, changes the phase shift of the phase shifter, thereby adjusting the alignment of the phased array antenna.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art, and proposes a liquid crystal phase shifter, a preparation method thereof, and an antenna.

[0005] In order to achieve the above objectives, in a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a liquid crystal phase shifter, comprising:

[0006] a first substrate and a second substrate arranged opposite to each other;

[0007] a liquid crystal layer, the liquid crystal layer being located between the first substrate and the second substrate;

[0008] a first electrode layer, the first electrode layer being located on a side of the first substrate facing the liquid crystal layer;

[0009] a second electrode layer, the second electrode layer being located on a side of the second substrate facing the liquid crystal layer; the second electrode layer and the orthographic projection of the first electrode layer on the first substrate overlap, and a ratio of an area of ​​the overlapping portion to an area of ​​the first electrode layer is less than 0.6;

[0010] In which, the liquid crystal layer includes liquid crystal molecules and chiral dopants, so that the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer extend along the direction of the electric field when an electric field is formed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer; and form multiple spiral liquid crystal units when there is no electric field between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer.

[0011] Optionally, the liquid crystal molecules include microwave nematic liquid crystals; and the material and doping concentration of the chiral dopant meet one of the following conditions:

[0012] The chiral dopant includes R811, and the doping concentration in the liquid crystal layer is in the range of 2%-6%;

[0013] The chiral dopant includes S811, and the doping concentration in the liquid crystal layer is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 6%;

[0014] The chiral dopant includes CB15, and the doping concentration in the liquid crystal layer is in the range of 4%-7%;

[0015] The chiral dopant includes C15, and the doping concentration in the liquid crystal layer is in the range of 4%-7%;

[0016] The chiral dopant includes S1011, and the doping concentration in the liquid crystal layer is in the range of 1%-3%;

[0017] The chiral dopant includes R1011, and the doping concentration in the liquid crystal layer is in the range of 0.5%-3%.

[0018] Optionally, the liquid crystal phase shifter has a phase shift region and matching regions located on two opposite sides of the phase shift region in the first direction;

[0019] The orthographic projections of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer on the first substrate form a plurality of overlapping regions that are spaced apart, and both the matching region and the phase shift region have a plurality of the overlapping regions;

[0020] An area of ​​the overlapping region in the phase shift region is greater than an area of ​​the overlapping region in the matching region.

[0021] Optionally, the thickness of the first electrode layer in the phase-shifting region is smaller than the thickness of the first electrode layer in the matching region; and / or,

[0022] The thickness of the second electrode layer in the phase-shifting region is smaller than the thickness of the second electrode layer in the matching region.

[0023] Optionally, the thickness of the liquid crystal phase shifter is between 1 μm and 2 μm.

[0024] Optionally, the first electrode layer includes a plurality of first transmission portions arranged along the first direction, and the first transmission portions extend along a second direction; the second direction intersects the first direction;

[0025] The second electrode layer includes a second transmission portion and a third transmission portion that are arranged opposite to each other in the second direction;

[0026] The orthographic projections of the second transmission portion and the third transmission portion on the first substrate form a plurality of overlapping areas that are spaced apart with the orthographic projection of the first transmission portion on the first substrate.

[0027] Optionally, the widths of the plurality of first transmission portions in the first direction are equal;

[0028] The lengths of the plurality of first transmission portions in the phase shift region in the second direction are equal;

[0029] The lengths of the plurality of first transmission portions in the matching region in the second direction are equal, or gradually increase in a direction approaching the phase shift region.

[0030] Optionally, the minimum distance between the first transmission portion in the phase shift region and the first transmission portion in the matching region is d1, the minimum distance between two adjacent first transmission portions in the phase shift region is d2, and the minimum distance between two adjacent first transmission portions in the matching region is d3, where d1≥d2 and d1≥d3.

[0031] Optionally, the orthographic projection of the first transmission portion on the first substrate is in the shape of a right-angled rectangle or a rounded rectangle.

[0032] Optionally, when the shape of the first transmission portion is a rounded rectangle, the radius of the rounded rectangle is 1 / 10 to 1 / 2 times the width of the first transmission portion in the first direction.

[0033] Optionally, the first transmission portion has a first edge and a second edge arranged opposite to each other in the first direction, and the first edge and / or the second edge are in the shape of a curve.

[0034] Optionally, the second transmission portion includes: a first main portion extending along the first direction and a plurality of first teeth connected to an edge of the first main portion close to the third transmission portion; the first teeth extending along the second direction;

[0035] The third transmission portion includes: a second main body portion extending along the first direction and a plurality of second teeth portions connected to an edge of the second main body portion close to the second transmission portion; the second teeth portions extend along the second direction;

[0036] The first tooth portion and the second tooth portion both correspond to the first transmission portion one-to-one, and the orthographic projections of the first tooth portion and the second tooth portion on the first substrate form the overlapping area with the orthographic projections of the corresponding first transmission portion on the first substrate.

[0037] Optionally, the widths of the plurality of first teeth in the first direction are the same, and / or the widths of the plurality of second teeth in the first direction are the same.

[0038] Optionally, in the matching region, the lengths of the plurality of first teeth in the second direction are the same, or gradually increase in a direction approaching the phase shift region;

[0039] In the matching region, the lengths of the plurality of second teeth in the second direction are the same, or gradually increase in a direction approaching the phase shift region;

[0040] In the phase shift region, a plurality of first tooth portions have the same length in the second direction, and / or a plurality of second tooth portions have the same length in the second direction.

[0041] Optionally, the orthographic projection of the first tooth portion on the first substrate is a right-angled rectangle; or,

[0042] The first tooth portion has a first side, a second side and a third side, the first end of the first side and the first end of the second side are both connected to the first main body portion, and the third side includes: a first arc edge and a second arc edge connected to each other, the first arc edge is connected to the second end of the first side, and the second arc edge is connected to the second end of the second side; the radius of the first arc edge and / or the second arc edge is 1 / 10-1 / 2 times the width of the first tooth portion in the first direction.

[0043] Optionally, the orthographic projection of the second tooth portion on the first substrate is a right-angled rectangle; or,

[0044] The second tooth portion has a fourth side, a fifth side and a sixth side, the first end of the fourth side and the first end of the fifth side are both connected to the second main body portion, and the sixth side includes: a connected third arc edge and a fourth arc edge, the third arc edge is connected to the second end of the fourth side, and the fourth arc edge is connected to the second end of the fifth side; the radius of the third arc edge and / or the fourth arc edge is 1 / 10-1 / 2 times the width of the second tooth portion in the first direction.

[0045] Optionally, the first tooth portion has a third edge and a fourth edge opposite to each other in the first direction; the third edge and the fourth edge are both connected to the first main body portion, and at least one of the third edge and the fourth edge is in the shape of a curve; and / or,

[0046] The second tooth portion has a fifth edge and a sixth edge opposite to each other in the first direction; the fifth edge and the sixth edge are both connected to the second main body portion, and at least one of the fifth edge and the sixth edge is in a curved shape.

[0047] Optionally, an overlapping area formed by the orthographic projections of the first transmission portion and the second transmission portion on the first substrate is a first overlapping area;

[0048] An overlapping area formed by the orthographic projections of the first transmission portion and the third transmission portion on the first substrate is a second overlapping area;

[0049] The phase-shifting region and the matching region both have a plurality of first overlapping regions and a plurality of second overlapping regions; an area of ​​the first overlapping region in the phase-shifting region is larger than an area of ​​the first overlapping region in the matching region, and / or an area of ​​the second overlapping region in the phase-shifting region is larger than an area of ​​the second overlapping region in the matching region.

[0050] Optionally, the areas of the plurality of first overlapping regions in the phase shift region are equal, and / or the areas of the plurality of second overlapping regions in the phase shift region are equal.

[0051] Optionally, areas of the plurality of first overlapping regions in the matching region gradually increase in a direction approaching the phase shift region, and / or areas of the plurality of second overlapping regions in the matching region gradually increase in a direction approaching the phase shift region.

[0052] Optionally, the liquid crystal phase shifter further includes:

[0053] a first alignment layer, located between the first electrode layer and the liquid crystal layer;

[0054] a second alignment layer, located between the second electrode layer and the liquid crystal layer;

[0055] The orthographic projection of the first alignment layer on the first substrate covers and exceeds the orthographic projection of the first electrode layer on the first substrate; and / or the orthographic projection of the second alignment layer on the second substrate covers and exceeds the orthographic projection of the second electrode layer on the second substrate.

[0056] Optionally, the liquid crystal phase shifter further includes:

[0057] a feeding structure, located on a side of the second substrate away from the first substrate;

[0058] Adhesive glue, bonded between the feeding structure and the second substrate;

[0059] The feeding structure includes: a ground layer, a third substrate and a feeding layer arranged in sequence along a direction away from the second substrate. The feeding layer includes a first feeding component and a second feeding component. A first avoidance opening and a second avoidance opening are opened on the ground layer. The first feeding component is used to couple a microwave signal to the second electrode layer through the first avoidance opening; the second electrode layer is used to couple a microwave signal to the second feeding component through the second avoidance opening.

[0060] In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for preparing a liquid crystal phase shifter, comprising:

[0061] forming a first electrode layer on one side of the first substrate and forming a second electrode layer on one side of the second substrate;

[0062] Aligning a first substrate having a first electrode layer and a second substrate having a second electrode layer, and filling a liquid crystal layer between the two to form a liquid crystal phase shifter;

[0063] The liquid crystal layer includes liquid crystal molecules and chiral dopants, so that the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer extend along the direction of the electric field when an electric field is formed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer; and form multiple spiral liquid crystal units when there is no electric field between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer.

[0064] Optionally, the first electrode layer includes a plurality of first transmission portions arranged along the first direction, and the second electrode layer includes a second transmission portion and a third transmission portion arranged opposite to each other in the second direction; the second transmission portion includes: a first main portion extending along the first direction and a plurality of first teeth connected to an edge of the first main portion close to the third transmission portion; the third transmission portion includes: a second main portion extending along the first direction and a plurality of second teeth connected to an edge of the second main portion close to the second transmission portion;

[0065] Before forming the first electrode layer on one side of the first substrate and forming the second electrode layer on one side of the second substrate, the method further includes:

[0066] Determining the widths of the first main body portion and the second main body portion in the second direction, and the distance between the first main body portion and the second main body portion, respectively, according to a preset frequency band;

[0067] determining the number of the first transmission portion, the first tooth portion, and the second tooth portion according to a target thickness of the liquid crystal phase shifter;

[0068] Setting a first initial overlapping area between the first transmission portion and the first tooth portion, and a second initial overlapping area between the first transmission portion and the second tooth portion;

[0069] A liquid crystal phase shifter model is constructed based on the number of the first transmission portion, the first tooth portion, and the second tooth portion, as well as the first initial overlapping area and the second initial overlapping area, and a simulation is performed. The shapes and parameters of the first transmission portion, the first tooth portion, and the second tooth portion in the liquid crystal phase shifter model are adjusted based on the simulation results.

[0070] In a third aspect, the present disclosure provides an antenna comprising a liquid crystal phase shifter as described in any one of the above items. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0071] The accompanying drawings are used to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and constitute a part of the specification. Together with the following detailed description, they are used to explain the present disclosure but do not constitute a limitation of the present disclosure. In the accompanying drawings:

[0072] FIG1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal phase shifter in some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0073] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of a liquid crystal phase shifter in some other embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0074] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the molecular structure of chiral dopants and related test results in some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0075] FIG4 is a schematic top view of a liquid crystal phase shifter in some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0076] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a top view of a liquid crystal phase shifter in some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0077] FIG6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal phase shifter in some other embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0078] FIG7 is a schematic top view of the structure of the first electrode layer in some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0079] FIG8 is a schematic top view of the structure of the second electrode layer in some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0080] FIG9 is a schematic top view of a liquid crystal phase shifter in some other embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0081] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of a top view of the first electrode layer in other embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0082] FIG11 is a schematic top view of a liquid crystal phase shifter in some other embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0083] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of a top view of the first electrode layer in other embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0084] FIG13 is a schematic top view of the structure of the first transmission unit in some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0085] FIG14 is a schematic diagram of a top view of the structure of the first transmission unit in other embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0086] FIG15 is a schematic diagram of a top view of the second electrode layer in other embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0087] FIG16 is a schematic diagram of a top view of the second electrode layer in other embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0088] FIG17 is a schematic diagram of a partial top view of the second electrode layer in some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0089] FIG18 is a schematic diagram of a partial top view of the second electrode layer in other embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0090] FIG19 is a schematic top view of a liquid crystal phase shifter in some other embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0091] FIG20 is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of a liquid crystal phase shifter in some other embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0092] FIG21 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal phase shifter in some other embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0093] FIG22 is a flow chart of steps for preparing a liquid crystal phase shifter in some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0094] FIG23 is a schematic diagram of simulation results of antennas in some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0095] 1. First substrate; 2. Second substrate; 3. First electrode layer; 4. Second electrode layer; 5. Liquid crystal layer; 51. Liquid crystal molecules; 52. Chiral dopant; 50. Liquid crystal cell; 6. Overlapping region; A. Phase shift region; B. Matching region; 31. First transmission portion; 41. Second transmission portion; 42. Third transmission portion; 311. First edge; 312. Second edge; 411. First main body; 412. First tooth portion; 421. Second main body; 422. Second tooth portion; 401. Third edge; 402. Fourth edge; 403. Fifth edge; 404. Sixth edge; 61. First overlapping region; 62. Second overlapping region; 7. First alignment layer; 8. Second alignment layer; 9. Feed structure; 10. Adhesive; 410, first side; 420, second side; 430, third side; 431, first arc edge; 432, second arc edge; 433, first sub-edge; 91, ground layer; 92, third substrate; 931, first feeding component; 932, second feeding component; V1, first avoidance opening; V2, second avoidance opening; 4a, first connecting portion; 4b, second connecting portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0096] The following describes the specific embodiments of the present disclosure in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to illustrate and explain the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0097] To make the purpose, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure more clear, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, not all of the embodiments. Based on the described embodiments of the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0098] Unless otherwise defined, the technical terms or scientific terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure should have the usual meanings understood by people with ordinary skills in the field to which the present disclosure belongs. The "first", "second" and similar words used in the present disclosure do not indicate any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. Similarly, words such as "include" or "comprise" mean that the elements or objects appearing before the word include the elements or objects listed after the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Words such as "connect" or "connected" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but may include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. "Up", "down", "left", "right" and the like are only used to indicate relative positional relationships. When the absolute position of the object being described changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0099] As used herein, "parallel" and "perpendicular" include the conditions described and conditions similar to the conditions described, and the range of the similar conditions is within an acceptable deviation range, wherein the acceptable deviation range is determined by a person of ordinary skill in the art taking into account the measurement in question and the errors associated with the measurement of the specific quantity (i.e., the limitations of the measurement system). For example, "parallel" includes absolute parallelism and approximate parallelism, wherein the acceptable deviation range for approximate parallelism can be, for example, a deviation within 5°; "perpendicular" includes absolute perpendicularity and approximate perpendicularity, wherein the acceptable deviation range for approximate perpendicularity can also be, for example, a deviation within 5°.

[0100] It will be understood that when a layer or element is referred to as being on another layer or substrate, it can be directly on the other layer or substrate, or intervening layers may be present therebetween.

[0101] Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional and / or plan views that are idealized exemplary drawings. In the drawings, the thicknesses of layers and regions are exaggerated for clarity. Therefore, variations in shape relative to the drawings due to, for example, manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances are contemplated. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limited to the shapes of the regions shown herein, but rather include deviations in shape due to, for example, manufacturing. Therefore, the regions shown in the drawings are schematic in nature, and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the actual shape of regions of the device and are not intended to limit the scope of the exemplary embodiments.

[0102] The beam switching time of a phased array antenna is a critical metric for phased array systems. For example, in low-orbit satellite communications, the beam switching time must match the satellite's movement speed to ensure normal communication. For liquid crystal phased array antennas, the beam switching time is limited by the response speed of the liquid crystal phase shifter itself. Improving the response speed of the liquid crystal phase shifter itself is conducive to the industrial application of phased array antennas. The response speed of the liquid crystal phase shifter itself includes the liquid crystal rise time ton and the liquid crystal fall time toff. Therefore, improving the response speed of the liquid crystal phase shifter itself can include reducing the liquid crystal rise time ton and / or reducing the liquid crystal fall time toff. At the same time, liquid crystal phase shifters often suffer from problems such as high loss, poor transmission performance, and poor impedance matching.

[0103] The long axis of the liquid crystal molecules will deflect under the action of an external electric field, so the dielectric constant will also change. When the applied bias voltage is less than the threshold voltage of the liquid crystal molecules, the long axis of the liquid crystal molecules is usually perpendicular to the electric field direction. At this time, the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal is ε ⊥ When the applied bias voltage is equal to or greater than the saturation voltage of the liquid crystal molecules, the long axis of the liquid crystal molecules is parallel to the direction of the electric field. At this time, the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal is ε || Therefore, within the threshold voltage and saturation voltage range, as the bias voltage continues to increase, the liquid crystal dielectric constant decreases in ε ⊥ and ε || Continuous adjustment within a certain range causes the microwave wavelength in the RF transmission line to change, resulting in a phase difference at the signal output port. The liquid crystal response time formula shows that during the rise process, the actual rise time (ton) is typically short due to the presence of the electric field, enabling a fast response (ton) by applying a high voltage. However, when the electric field is removed, the fall process relies on the anchoring effect of the upper and lower alignment layers to restore the initial parallel alignment. Therefore, the fall time (toff) is relatively long, indicating that the response time is primarily determined by toff.

[0104] The calculation formula of response time t: t = ton + toff

[0105] The calculation formula for fall time toff is:

[0106] The calculation formula for rise time ton is:

[0107] Where γ represents the rotational viscosity, K represents the elastic modulus, d represents the box thickness, V represents the applied bias voltage, and V th Indicates the threshold voltage.

[0108] From the above, we can see that factors affecting fall time include the elastic modulus of the liquid crystal layer and the cell thickness of the liquid crystal phase shifter. For example, when the cell thickness of the liquid crystal phase shifter is 4.6 μm, the fall time (toff) is typically greater than 60 ms. Therefore, effectively increasing the elastic modulus of the liquid crystal layer and / or reducing the cell thickness can both reduce fall time.

[0109] In order to alleviate or solve at least one of the above problems, the present disclosure provides a liquid crystal phase shifter, a manufacturing method thereof, and an antenna.

[0110] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the present disclosure provides a liquid crystal phase shifter, comprising: a first substrate 1 and a second substrate 2 arranged opposite to each other, a liquid crystal layer 5 , a first electrode layer 3 and a second electrode layer 4 .

[0111] The liquid crystal layer 5 is located between the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 2. The first electrode layer 3 is located on the side of the first substrate 1 facing the liquid crystal layer 5. The second electrode layer 4 is located on the side of the second substrate 2 facing the liquid crystal layer 5. The orthographic projections of the second electrode layer 4 and the first electrode layer 3 on the first substrate 1 overlap, and the ratio of the area of ​​the overlapping portion to the area of ​​the first electrode layer 3 is less than 0.6. The liquid crystal layer 5 includes liquid crystal molecules 51 and a chiral dopant 52.

[0112] As shown in FIG. 1( a ) and FIG. 2( a ), when an electric field is formed between the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4 , the liquid crystal molecules 51 in the liquid crystal layer 5 extend along the direction of the electric field.

[0113] Alternatively, the liquid crystal molecules 51 in the liquid crystal layer 5 shown in FIG1( a ) are positive liquid crystals. In this case, the extension direction of the liquid crystal molecules 51 is the long axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules 51 .

[0114] Alternatively, the liquid crystal molecules 51 in the liquid crystal layer 5 shown in FIG2( a ) are negative liquid crystals. In this case, the extension direction of the liquid crystal molecules 51 is the short axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules 51 .

[0115] As shown in FIG1(b) and FIG2(b), in the absence of an electric field between the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4, the liquid crystal molecules 51 in the liquid crystal layer 5 form a plurality of helical liquid crystal cells 50. For example, the liquid crystal molecules 51 in the liquid crystal cells 50 are arranged along the thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer 5, and the long axis directions of the plurality of liquid crystal molecules 51 arranged along the thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer 5 gradually change.

[0116] It should be noted that the chiral dopant 52 shown in the figures of all embodiments of the present disclosure is merely to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art that the liquid crystal layer 5 contains liquid crystal molecules 51 and chiral dopant 52, and does not limit the form, such as location, shape, or number, of the chiral dopant 52. In practice, the specific form of the chiral dopant 52 in the liquid crystal layer 5 is related to the type and doping concentration of the chiral dopant 52.

[0117] Optionally, the materials of the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 2 can be insulating plates such as polytetrafluoroethylene glass fiber pressboard, phenolic paper laminate, phenolic glass cloth laminate, or hard materials with low microwave loss such as quartz and glass.

[0118] Optionally, the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4 form a structure capable of transmitting radio frequency signals. For example, one of the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4 is a microstrip line, and the other of the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4 is a metal ground. For example, both the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4 can be transmission lines, and the two transmission lines have a phase difference of 180°.

[0119] Optionally, the material of the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4 may be a metal with low resistance and low loss, such as copper, gold, silver, etc.

[0120] Optionally, the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4 can be prepared by, for example, magnetron sputtering, thermal evaporation, electroplating, etc.

[0121] In the disclosed embodiment, the cell thickness of the liquid crystal phase shifter can be reduced by setting the ratio of the area S0 of the overlapping portion of the orthographic projections of the second electrode layer 4 and the first electrode layer 3 on the first substrate 1 to less than 0.6 (i.e., S0 < 0.6S). For example, when S0 is greater than 0.6S, the cell thickness of the liquid crystal phase shifter is 4.6 μm, while when S0 < 0.6S, the cell thickness of the liquid crystal phase shifter can be reduced to 1.5 μm.

[0122] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, since there is no electric field between the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4, the liquid crystal molecules 51 in the liquid crystal layer 5 form a plurality of spiral liquid crystal units 50, and the overall elastic coefficient of the liquid crystal layer 5 is relatively large. Therefore, when an electric field is formed between the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4, the liquid crystal molecules 51 in the liquid crystal layer 5 can be quickly extended along the direction of the electric field, that is, the rise time ton is shortened. At the same time, when the electric field between the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4 changes from being present to being absent, the liquid crystal molecules 51 in the liquid crystal layer 5 can also be quickly restored to the spiral liquid crystal units, that is, the fall time toff is shortened. Therefore, the embodiment of the present disclosure can achieve a fast response of the liquid crystal phase shifter.

[0123] In some embodiments, the material and doping concentration of the chiral dopant 52 satisfy one of the following conditions:

[0124] The chiral dopant 52 includes ZLI-4571 (S1011), and the doping concentration in the liquid crystal layer 5 is in the range of 1%-3%, for example, the doping concentration may be 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5% or 3%.

[0125] The chiral dopant 52 includes ZLI-4572 (R1011), and the doping concentration in the liquid crystal layer 5 is in the range of 0.5%-3%, for example, the doping concentration may be 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5% or 3%.

[0126] The chiral dopant 52 includes C15, and the doping concentration in the liquid crystal layer 5 is in the range of 4%-7%, for example, the doping concentration may be 4%, 4.5%, 5%, 5.5%, 6%, 6.5% or 7%.

[0127] The chiral dopant 52 includes CB15, and the doping concentration in the liquid crystal layer 5 is in the range of 4%-7%, for example, the doping concentration may be 4%, 4.5%, 5%, 5.5%, 6%, 6.5% or 7%.

[0128] The chiral dopant 52 includes S811, and the doping concentration in the liquid crystal layer 5 is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 6%. For example, the doping concentration can be 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, 3%, 3.5%, 4%, 4.5%, 5%, 5.5%, 6%, 6.5% or 7%.

[0129] The chiral dopant 52 includes R811, and the doping concentration in the liquid crystal layer 5 is in the range of 2%-6%, for example, the doping concentration may be 2%, 2.5%, 3%, 3.5%, 4%, 4.5%, 5%, 5.5% or 6%.

[0130] FIG3( a ) shows a schematic diagram of the molecular structure of the chiral dopant 52 .

[0131] The doping concentration in the embodiments of the present disclosure refers to mass percentage.

[0132] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, by doping the liquid crystal layer 5 with a chiral dopant 52, the liquid crystal molecules 51 in the liquid crystal layer 5 can be extended along the direction of the electric field when there is an electric field between the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4, and a plurality of spiral liquid crystal units 50 can be formed when there is no electric field between the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4, thereby achieving a fast response of the liquid crystal phase shifter. Moreover, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, by controlling the doping concentration of the chiral dopant 52, the fall time toff of the liquid crystal phase shifter can be reduced from 60ms to 4.6ms, which has the advantage of faster response. The embodiment of the present disclosure achieves fine control of the spiral ability of the liquid crystal molecules 51 by controlling the material and doping concentration of the chiral dopant 52, thereby enabling the liquid crystal phase shifter to obtain the optimal response time.

[0133] In one example, by adding a 4% S811 chiral dopant to the microwave nematic liquid crystal, the liquid crystal molecules 51 in the microwave nematic liquid crystal can be extended along the direction of the electric field when there is an electric field between the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4, and a plurality of spiral liquid crystal units 50 can be formed when there is no electric field between the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4.

[0134] In another example, an S811 chiral dopant was added to a microwave nematic liquid crystal, and the S811 doping concentration was varied from 0% to 6%. The alignment of the corresponding liquid crystal molecules 51 was observed and the corresponding time was tested, resulting in the test results shown in Figures 3(b) to 3(e). Figure 3(b) shows the structure of the liquid crystal layer 5 when the doping concentration was 0, Figure 3(c) shows the structure of the liquid crystal layer 5 when the doping concentration was 4%, and Figure 3(d) shows the structure of the liquid crystal layer 5 when the doping concentration was 6%. The results show that as the S811 doping concentration increases, the tighter the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules 51 in the liquid crystal cell 50, the greater the overall elastic modulus of the liquid crystal layer 5, and the corresponding decrease in the fall time, toff, to varying degrees. Specifically, the variation of fall time toff with doping concentration is shown in Figure 3(e). As shown in Figure 3(e), as the S811 content increases from 0% to 4%, the fall time toff decreases rapidly. When the S811 content increases from 4% to 6%, the fall time toff continues to decrease, but at a slower rate. More specifically, for example, when the S811 doping concentration is 2%, the fall time toff reaches 10ms to 20ms, while when the S811 doping concentration is between 4% and 6%, the fall time toff drops below 10ms.

[0135] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 4 and 5 , the liquid crystal phase shifter includes a phase shift region A and matching regions B located on opposite sides of the phase shift region A in a first direction. The orthographic projections of the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4 on the first substrate 1 form a plurality of spaced overlapping regions 6. Both the matching region B and the phase shift region A have multiple overlapping regions 6. The area of ​​the overlapping regions 6 in the phase shift region A is greater than the area of ​​the overlapping regions 6 in the matching region B.

[0136] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the area of ​​the overlapping region 6 in the phase shift region A is relatively large, which can ensure that the liquid crystal phase shifter provides sufficient variable capacitance, thereby providing the main phase shift amount, and the area of ​​the overlapping region 6 in the matching region B provides corresponding impedance matching.

[0137] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG6 , a thickness D1 of the first electrode layer 3 in the phase shift region A is less than a thickness D2 of the first electrode layer 3 in the matching region B, and / or a thickness D3 of the second electrode layer 4 in the phase shift region A is less than a thickness D4 of the second electrode layer 4 in the matching region B. For ease of understanding, FIG4 shows a relationship diagram between the thicknesses of the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4 corresponding to one overlapping region 6 in each of the phase shift region A and the two matching regions B.

[0138] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the thickness D1 of the first electrode layer 3 in the phase shift region A is less than the thickness D2 of the first electrode layer 3 in the matching region B, and / or the thickness D3 of the second electrode layer 4 in the phase shift region A is less than the thickness D4 of the second electrode layer 4 in the matching region B. This can make the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 5 in the phase shift region A thicker, ensuring that a sufficient phase shift can be generated in the phase shift region A. At the same time, the thinner thickness of the liquid crystal layer 5 in the matching region B can reduce the loss of the liquid crystal phase shifter, and can also reduce the fall time toff of the liquid crystal, thereby further optimizing the response time of the liquid crystal phase shifter.

[0139] Optionally, the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 5 in the phase shift region A exceeds that of the liquid crystal layer 5 in the matching region B by 10%-30% of the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 5 in the phase shift region A; and / or the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 5 in the phase shift region A exceeds that of the liquid crystal layer 5 in the matching region B by 10%-30% of the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 5 in the phase shift region A. It can be understood that in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 5 in the entire liquid crystal phase shifter shows an overall pattern of small, large, and small in the first direction.

[0140] In some embodiments, the thickness of the liquid crystal phase shifter provided in the present disclosure is between 1 μm and 2 μm. For example, the thickness of the liquid crystal phase shifter can be 1 μm, 1.1 μm, 1.2 μm, 1.3 μm, 1.4 μm, 1.5 μm, 1.6 μm, 1.7 μm, 1.8 μm, 1.9 μm or 2 μm, etc.

[0141] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG7 , the first electrode layer 3 includes a plurality of first transmission portions 31 arranged along a first direction, and the first transmission portions 31 extend along a second direction. The second direction intersects the first direction. Alternatively, for example, the second direction may be perpendicular to the first direction.

[0142] As shown in FIG. 8 , the second electrode layer 4 includes a second transmission portion 41 and a third transmission portion 42 that are arranged opposite to each other in the second direction.

[0143] Alternatively, the second transmission portion 41 and the third transmission portion 42 may be symmetrical with respect to a straight line extending along the first direction.

[0144] As shown in FIG. 9 , the orthographic projections of the second transmission portion 41 and the third transmission portion 42 on the first substrate 1 form a plurality of overlapping regions 6 spaced apart with the orthographic projection of the first transmission portion 31 on the first substrate 1 .

[0145] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, by configuring the first electrode layer 3 to be a plurality of first transmission portions 31 arranged along a first direction, the number and area of ​​the overlapping regions 6 formed by the orthographic projections of the second transmission portion 41 and the third transmission portion 42 on the first substrate 1 and the orthographic projections of the respective first transmission portions 31 on the first substrate 1 can be controlled, thereby enabling the liquid crystal phase shifter to provide a variable capacitance and generate a sufficient phase shift to meet different requirements in practical applications.

[0146] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG10 , the widths W1 of the multiple first transmission portions 31 in the first direction are equal. The lengths L1 of the multiple first transmission portions 31 in the second direction in the phase shift region A are equal. The lengths L1 of the multiple first transmission portions 31 in the second direction in the matching region B are equal, or gradually increase in length as they approach the phase shift region A. In the embodiment shown in FIG10 (a), the lengths L1 of the multiple first transmission portions 31 in the second direction in the matching region B are equal. In the embodiment shown in FIG10 (b), the lengths L1 of the multiple first transmission portions 31 in the second direction in the matching region B gradually increase in length as they approach the phase shift region A.

[0147] In the disclosed embodiment, the widths W1 of the multiple first transmission portions 31 in the first direction are equal, and the lengths L1 of the multiple first transmission portions 31 in the matching region B in the second direction are equal. This ensures that the overlapping areas formed by the orthographic projections of the first transmission portions 31 on the first substrate 1, and the orthographic projections of the second transmission portions 41 and the third transmission portions on the first substrate 1, are sufficient and uniform. This ensures that the capacitance value in the phase shift region A is sufficient, providing a sufficient phase shift, while also ensuring uniformity among the multiple capacitances, thereby improving the stability of the liquid crystal phase shifter. Furthermore, the lengths L1 of the multiple first transmission portions 31 in the matching region B in the second direction gradually increase as they approach the phase shift region A, ensuring adequate matching impedance.

[0148] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG11 , the minimum distance between the first transmission portion 31 in the phase shift region A and the first transmission portion 31 in the matching region B is d1, the minimum distance between two adjacent first transmission portions 31 in the phase shift region A is d2, and the minimum distance between two adjacent first transmission portions 31 in the matching region B is d3, where d1 ≥ d2 and d1 ≥ d3. It can also be understood that the distance between the phase shift region A and the matching region B can be adjusted to be greater than or equal to the minimum distance between the two first transmission portions 31 in the phase shift region A, and can also be adjusted to be greater than or equal to the minimum distance between the two first transmission portions 31 in the matching region B. It can be understood that in the entire liquid crystal phase shifter, the first transmission portions 31 are arranged non-periodically, that is, the first electrode layer 3 has a non-periodic structure. Correspondingly, the first teeth 412 and the second teeth 422 are also arranged non-periodically, that is, the first transmission portions 31 and the second transmission portions 41 also have a non-periodic structure.

[0149] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the overlapping region 6 in the phase shift region A can ensure that the liquid crystal phase shifter provides sufficient variable capacitance, thereby providing the main phase shift amount. The area of ​​the overlapping region 6 in the matching region B provides corresponding impedance matching. Therefore, on this basis, adjustment is made so that d1 ≥ d2 and d1 ≥ d3. For example, d1 > d2 and d1 > d3 can be made, which can reduce the overall loss of the liquid crystal phase shifter and optimize the transmission performance of the liquid crystal phase shifter.

[0150] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 10 and 12 , the orthographic projection of the first transmission portion 31 on the first substrate 1 is a rectangular or rounded rectangle. In the embodiment shown in Figure 10 , the orthographic projection of the first transmission portion 31 on the first substrate 1 is a rectangular, while in the embodiment shown in Figure 12 , the orthographic projection of the first transmission portion 31 on the first substrate 1 is a rounded rectangle.

[0151] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 13 , when the first transmission portion 31 is in the shape of a rounded rectangle, the radius R1 of the rounded rectangle is 1 / 10 to 1 / 2 times the width W1 of the first transmission portion 31 in the first direction.

[0152] For example, as shown in FIG. 13( a ), the rounded corner radius R1 of the rounded rectangle is 1 / 10 to 1 / 3 times the width of the first transmission portion 31 in the first direction.

[0153] For example, as shown in (b) of FIG13 , the radius R1 of the rounded rectangle is half of the width of the first transmission portion 31 in the first direction. In this case, the shape of the first transmission portion 31 can be understood as a semicircle superimposed on two opposite sides of a rectangle.

[0154] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the shape of the orthographic projection of the first transmission portion 31 on the first substrate 1 is a right-angled rectangle or a rounded rectangle to meet the transmission performance requirements of different liquid crystal phase shifters, and the rounded corner radius R1 is 1 / 10-1 / 2 times the width W1 of the first transmission portion 31 in the first direction, which can further optimize the overall transmission performance of the liquid crystal phase shifter.

[0155] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 14 , the first transmission portion 31 has a first edge 311 and a second edge 312 oppositely disposed in a first direction, and the first edge 311 and / or the second edge 312 are curved.

[0156] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the shape of the first edge 311 and / or the second edge 312 of the first transmission portion 31 is designed to be a curve. For example, the shapes of the first edge 311 and the second edge 312 can both be designed to be curves. That is, the shape of the first transmission portion 31 is designed to be a hyperbola, which can further improve the transmission performance of the liquid crystal phase shifter.

[0157] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG15 , the second transmission portion 41 includes a first main portion 411 extending in the first direction and a plurality of first teeth 412 connected to an edge of the first main portion 411 near the third transmission portion 42; the first teeth 412 extend in the second direction. The third transmission portion 42 includes a second main portion 421 extending in the first direction and a plurality of second teeth 422 connected to an edge of the second main portion 421 near the second transmission portion 41; the second teeth 422 extend in the second direction.

[0158] Optionally, the first tooth portion 412 and the second tooth portion 422 both correspond to the first transmission portion 31 one-to-one, and the orthographic projections of the first tooth portion 412 and the second tooth portion 422 on the first substrate 1 form an overlapping area 6 with the orthographic projections of the corresponding first transmission portion 31 on the first substrate 1.

[0159] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 15 , a length L1 of the first transmission portion 31 in the second direction is smaller than a distance d4 between the first body portion 411 and the second body portion 421 .

[0160] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first tooth portion 412 and the second tooth portion 422 both correspond one-to-one to the first transmission portion 31, and the orthographic projections of the first tooth portion 412 and the second tooth portion 422 on the first substrate 1 form an overlapping area 6 with the orthographic projections of the corresponding first transmission portion 31 on the first substrate 1. The first tooth portion 412 and the first transmission portion 31 forming the overlapping area 6, as well as the second tooth portion 422 and the first transmission portion 31 forming the overlapping area 6 can form corresponding multiple capacitors, that is, by designing the number of the first tooth portion 412 and the second tooth portion 422, the number of capacitors can be controlled to ensure that sufficient capacitance is provided and sufficient phase shift is provided.

[0161] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG15 , the first teeth 412 have the same width W2 in the first direction. The second teeth 422 have the same width W3 in the first direction. For example, the first teeth 412 can have the same width W2 in the first direction, and the second teeth 422 can have the same width W3 in the first direction.

[0162] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the width W2 of the plurality of first teeth 412 in the first direction is the same, and the width W3 of the plurality of second teeth 422 in the first direction is the same, which can control the width of the overlapping region 6 in the first direction and further adjust the area of ​​the overlapping region 6. For example, the width W2 of the plurality of first teeth 412 in the first direction is the same, and the width W3 of the plurality of second teeth 422 in the first direction is the same, which can adjust the area of ​​the overlapping region 6 in the phase shift region A and optimize the phase shift amount generated by the liquid crystal phase shifter. The width W2 of the plurality of first teeth 412 in the matching region B is the same, and the width W3 of the plurality of second teeth 422 in the first direction is the same, which can adjust the area of ​​the overlapping region 6 in the matching region B to optimize the impedance matching of the liquid crystal phase shifter.

[0163] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG15 , in matching region B, the length L3 of the plurality of first teeth 412 in the second direction is the same, and / or the length L2 of the plurality of second teeth 422 in the second direction is the same. In matching region B, the length L3 of the plurality of first teeth 412 in the second direction gradually increases as it approaches the phase shift region A, and / or the length L2 of the plurality of second teeth 422 in the second direction gradually increases as it approaches the phase shift region A. Within phase shift region A, the length L5 of the plurality of first teeth 412 in the second direction is the same. The length L4 of the plurality of second teeth 422 in the second direction is the same. In the embodiment shown in FIG15 (a), in phase shift region A, the length L5 of the plurality of first teeth 412 in the second direction is the same, and the length L4 of the plurality of second teeth 422 in the second direction is the same. In matching region B, the length L3 of the plurality of first teeth 412 in the second direction is the same, and the length L2 of the plurality of second teeth 422 in the second direction is the same. In the embodiment shown in FIG15( b ), in phase shift region A, the first teeth 412 have the same length L5 in the second direction, and the second teeth 422 have the same length L4 in the second direction. In matching region B, the length L3 of the first teeth 412 in the second direction gradually increases as it approaches phase shift region A, and the length L2 of the second teeth 422 in the second direction gradually increases as it approaches phase shift region A.

[0164] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the widths of the first tooth portion 412 and the second tooth portion 422 in the phase shift region A and the matching region B in the second direction can be combined with the width of the first transmission portion 31 in the second direction in different shapes to ensure that the liquid crystal phase shifter has sufficient phase shift in the phase shift region A and has a corresponding matching impedance in the matching region B.

[0165] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG12 , the orthographic projection of the first tooth portion 412 on the first substrate 1 is a rectangular rectangle, and / or the orthographic projection of the second tooth portion 422 on the first substrate 1 is a rectangular rectangle.

[0166] In other embodiments, as shown in Figure 16, the right angles at both ends of the edge of the orthographic projection of the first tooth portion 412 on the first substrate 1 away from the first main body portion 411 can be chamfered, that is, designed as rounded corners, and / or the right angles at both ends of the edge of the orthographic projection of the second tooth portion 422 on the first substrate 1 away from the second main body portion 421 can be chamfered, that is, designed as rounded corners. Specifically, as shown in Figure 17, the first tooth portion 412 has a first side 410, a second side 420 and a third side 430. Among them, the first end of the first side 410 and the first end of the second side 420 are both connected to the first main body portion 411. The third side 430 includes: a first arc edge 431 and a second arc edge 432 connected to each other, the first arc edge 431 is connected to the second end of the first side 410, and the second arc edge 432 is connected to the second end of the second side 420. The radius R2 of the first arc edge 431 and / or the second arc edge 432 is 1 / 10 to 1 / 2 times the width W2 of the first tooth portion 412 in the first direction.

[0167] Alternatively, as shown in (a) of Figure 17 , the radius R2 of the first arc edge 431 and / or the second arc edge 432 is 1 / 10-1 / 3 times the width W2 of the first tooth portion 412 in the first direction. In this case, the first arc edge 431 and the second arc edge 432 are connected by the first sub-edge 433.

[0168] Alternatively, as shown in (b) of Figure 17 , the radius R2 of the first arc edge 431 and / or the second arc edge 432 is 1 / 2 times the width W2 of the first tooth portion 412 in the first direction. In this case, the first arc edge 431 and the second arc edge 432 are connected to form a semicircular arc with a diameter of W2.

[0169] Similar to the structure of the first tooth portion 412 shown in Figure 17 , the second tooth portion 422 has a fourth side, a fifth side, and a sixth side, wherein the first end of the fourth side and the first end of the fifth side are both connected to the second main body portion. The sixth side includes a third arcuate side and a fourth arcuate side connected to each other, wherein the third arcuate side is connected to the second end of the fourth side, and the fourth arcuate side is connected to the second end of the fifth side. The radius of the third arcuate side and / or the fourth arcuate side is 1 / 10 to 1 / 2 times the width of the second tooth portion in the first direction.

[0170] Optionally, the radius of the third arc side and / or the fourth arc side is 1 / 10-1 / 3 times the width of the second tooth portion in the first direction.

[0171] Optionally, the radius of the third arc side and / or the fourth arc side is 1 / 2 times the width of the second tooth portion in the first direction.

[0172] Optionally, when the radius of the third arc edge and / or the fourth arc edge is less than 1 / 2 of the width of the second tooth portion 422 in the first direction, the third arc edge and the fourth arc edge are connected by a second sub-edge. In the disclosed embodiment, by designing the shapes of the first tooth portion 412 and the second tooth portion 422 differently, it is possible to adapt to the transmission performance requirements of different liquid crystal phase shifters. Moreover, by adjusting the corresponding radii of the first arc edge 431, the second arc edge 432, the third arc edge, and / or the fourth arc edge, the overall transmission performance of the liquid crystal phase shifter can be further optimized.

[0173] In some embodiments, as shown in (a) of Figure 18, the first tooth portion 412 has a third edge 401 and a fourth edge 402 opposite to each other in the first direction; the third edge 401 and the fourth edge 402 are both connected to the first main body portion 411, and the shape of at least one of the third edge 401 and the fourth edge 402 is a curve; and / or, as shown in (b) of Figure 18, the second tooth portion 422 has a fifth edge 403 and a sixth edge 404 opposite to each other in the first direction; the fifth edge 403 and the sixth edge 404 are both connected to the second main body portion 421, and the shape of at least one of the fifth edge 403 and the sixth edge 404 is a curve.

[0174] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the shape of at least one of the third edge 401 and the fourth edge 402 is designed to be a curve, and / or the shape of at least one of the fifth edge 403 and the sixth edge 404 is designed to be a curve. For example, the third edge 401, the fourth edge 402, the fifth edge 403 and the sixth edge 404 are all set to be curves, which can further improve the transmission performance of the liquid crystal phase shifter.

[0175] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG19 , the overlapping region 6 formed by the orthographic projections of the first transmission portion 31 and the second transmission portion 41 on the first substrate 1 is a first overlapping region 61. The overlapping region 6 formed by the orthographic projections of the first transmission portion 31 and the third transmission portion 42 on the first substrate 1 is a second overlapping region 62. Both the phase shift region A and the matching region B have multiple first overlapping regions 61 and multiple second overlapping regions 62. The area of ​​the first overlapping region 61 in the phase shift region A is larger than the area of ​​the first overlapping region 61 in the matching region B, and / or the area of ​​the second overlapping region 62 in the phase shift region A is larger than the area of ​​the second overlapping region 62 in the matching region B.

[0176] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, for example, the area of ​​the first overlapping region 61 in the phase shift region A is larger than the area of ​​the first overlapping region 61 in the matching region B, and the area of ​​the second overlapping region 62 in the phase shift region A is larger than the area of ​​the second overlapping region 62 in the matching region B. This can ensure that the liquid crystal phase shifter generates a sufficient phase shift in the phase shift region A and generates a corresponding matching impedance in the matching region B.

[0177] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 19 , the areas of the plurality of first overlapping regions 61 in the phase shift region A are equal, and / or the areas of the plurality of second overlapping regions 62 in the phase shift region A are equal.

[0178] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, for example, the areas of the multiple first overlapping regions 61 in the phase shift region A are equal, and the areas of the multiple second overlapping regions 62 in the phase shift region A are equal, which can improve the liquid crystal phase shifter to produce a sufficient and stable phase shift in the phase shift region A.

[0179] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG19 , the areas of the plurality of first overlapping regions 61 in the matching region B gradually increase in a direction approaching the phase shift region A, and / or the areas of the plurality of second overlapping regions 62 in the matching region B gradually increase in a direction approaching the phase shift region A.

[0180] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, for example, the areas of the multiple first overlapping regions 61 in the matching region B gradually increase in the direction approaching the phase shift region A, and the areas of the multiple second overlapping regions 62 in the matching region B gradually increase in the direction approaching the phase shift region A. This can adjust the matching impedance generated by the liquid crystal phase shifter in the matching region B and improve the matching performance of the liquid crystal phase shifter.

[0181] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG20 , the liquid crystal phase shifter further includes a first alignment layer 7 and a second alignment layer 8 . The first alignment layer 7 is located between the first electrode layer 3 and the liquid crystal layer 5 , and the second alignment layer 8 is located between the second electrode layer 4 and the liquid crystal layer 5 .

[0182] Moreover, the orthographic projection of the first alignment layer 7 on the first substrate 1 covers and exceeds the orthographic projection of the first electrode layer 3 on the first substrate 1 ; and / or, the orthographic projection of the second alignment layer 8 on the second substrate 2 covers and exceeds the orthographic projection of the second electrode layer 4 on the second substrate 2 .

[0183] As shown in Figure 20 (a), when there is no electric field between the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4, the liquid crystal molecules 51 form a liquid crystal cell 50 with a helical structure. As shown in Figure 20 (b), when there is an electric field between the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4, the liquid crystal molecules 51 between the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4 extend in the direction of the electric field and can be considered as liquid crystal molecules with adjustable extension direction. Liquid crystal molecules not between the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4 still form a liquid crystal cell 50 with a helical structure and can be considered as liquid crystal molecules with non-adjustable extension direction. This design can reduce the liquid crystal's fall time, toff, thereby optimizing the response time of the liquid crystal phase shifter.

[0184] For example, the orthographic projection of the first orientation layer 7 on the first substrate 1 can overlap with the first substrate 1, and / or the orthographic projection of the second orientation layer 8 on the second substrate 2 can overlap with the second substrate 2. This can simplify the preparation process, make the production process simpler, and be suitable for mass production.

[0185] Optionally, both the first alignment layer 7 and the second alignment layer 8 may be aligned in two alignment modes.

[0186] One alignment method involves rubbing the first and second alignment layers 7 and 8 in a specific direction using materials such as nylon, fiber, or cotton wool. This creates microgrooves visible under an electron microscope on the surfaces of the first and second alignment layers 7 and 8. These microgrooves uniformly anchor the liquid crystal molecules 51, resulting in a uniform and consistent alignment of the liquid crystal molecules 51 on the grooved surface. This rubbing alignment method is a relatively mature process, offering a simple, low-cost production process and amenable to large-scale production.

[0187] Another alignment method involves using photo-controlled alignment. In this method, both the first and second alignment layers 7, 8 need to be polymer films. The specific process involves irradiating the first and second alignment layers 7, 8 with polarized ultraviolet light, inducing photoisomerization, photocrosslinking, and photodegradation of the polymer films in the first and second alignment layers 7, 8, and generating surface anisotropy, thereby aligning the liquid crystal molecules 51 on the polymer film. Alternatively, the polymer film can be, for example, a blend or side-chain polymer containing azobenzene photosensitive groups.

[0188] Optionally, the first alignment layer 7 and the second alignment layer 8 may be oriented, for example, both the first alignment layer 7 and the second alignment layer 8 are parallel to the first substrate 1, and the first alignment layer 7 and the second alignment layer 8 are aligned in the same direction. For example, both the first alignment layer 7 and the second alignment layer 8 are parallel to the first substrate 1, but the first alignment layer 7 and the second alignment layer 8 are oriented at an angle, for example, perpendicular to each other. In actual operation, the angle may be any angle.

[0189] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG21(a), the liquid crystal phase shifter further includes a feed structure 9 and adhesive 10. The feed structure 9 is located on a side of the second substrate 2 away from the first substrate 1. Specifically, as shown in FIG21(b), the feed structure 9 includes a ground layer 91, a third substrate 92, and a feed layer, sequentially arranged in a direction away from the second substrate 2. The feed layer includes a first feed component 931 and a second feed component 932.

[0190] The adhesive 10 is bonded between the feeding structure 9 and the second substrate 2. The orthographic projections of the first feeding component 931 and the second feeding component 932 on the third substrate 92 overlap with the orthographic projection of the ground layer 91 on the third substrate 92. The ground layer 91 has a first avoidance opening V1 and a second avoidance opening V2. A portion of the first feeding component 931 overlaps with the orthographic projection of the first avoidance opening V1 on the third substrate 92, and another portion of the first feeding component 931 overlaps with the orthographic projection of the ground layer 91 on the third substrate 92. For example, the first feeding component 931 includes a first feeding portion located at its first end, which overlaps with the orthographic projection of the first avoidance opening V1 on the third substrate 92. The second end of the first feeding component 931 is connected to the feed source, so that the microwave signal provided by the feed source can be coupled to one end of the second electrode layer 4 through the first avoidance opening V1. At one end of the second electrode layer 4, the second transmission portion 41 and the third transmission portion 42 can be connected together via a first connection portion 4a; at the other end of the second electrode layer 4, the second transmission portion 41 and the third transmission portion 42 can be connected together via a second connection portion 4b. The first connection portion 4a, the second connection portion 4b, the second transmission portion 41, and the third transmission portion 42 can be arranged on the same layer. A portion of the second feeding assembly 932 overlaps with the orthographic projection of the second avoidance opening V2 on the third substrate 92, and another portion of the second feeding assembly 932 overlaps with the orthographic projection of the ground layer 91 on the third substrate 92. For example, the second feeding assembly 932 includes a second feeding portion located at its first end, which overlaps with the orthographic projection of the second avoidance opening V2 on the third substrate 92. This allows the microwave signal transmitted on the second electrode layer 4 to be coupled to the second feeding assembly 932 from the other end of the second electrode layer 4. In addition, the liquid crystal phase shifter may further include a driving circuit board, which is electrically connected to the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4 and is used to provide electrical signals to the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4 .

[0191] In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method for preparing a liquid crystal phase shifter, comprising steps S10 to S20:

[0192] S10 , forming a first electrode layer 3 on one side of the first substrate 1 , and forming a second electrode layer 4 on one side of the second substrate 2 .

[0193] S20: Align the first substrate 1 having the first electrode layer 3 and the second substrate 2 having the second electrode layer 4, and fill the space between the two with a liquid crystal layer 5 to form a liquid crystal phase shifter. The liquid crystal layer 5 includes liquid crystal molecules 51 and a chiral dopant 52, such that when an electric field is formed between the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4, the liquid crystal molecules 51 in the liquid crystal layer 5 extend in the direction of the electric field. Furthermore, when there is no electric field between the first electrode layer 3 and the second electrode layer 4, a plurality of spiral liquid crystal cells 50 are formed.

[0194] Optionally, in step S20, the first substrate 1 having the first electrode layer 3 formed thereon and the second substrate 2 having the second electrode layer 4 formed thereon are aligned and a liquid crystal layer 5 is filled between the two to form a liquid crystal phase shifter. The liquid crystal layer 5 can be applied to one of the surfaces of the first electrode layer 3 away from the first substrate 1 and the surfaces of the second electrode layer 4 away from the second substrate 2, and a sealing adhesive can be applied to the other of the surfaces of the first electrode layer 3 away from the first substrate 1 and the surfaces of the second electrode layer 4 away from the second substrate 2, and then the two can be aligned to obtain the liquid crystal phase shifter. Alternatively, the sealing adhesive can be applied to one of the surfaces of the first electrode layer 3 away from the first substrate 1 and the surfaces of the second electrode layer 4 away from the second substrate 2, and the two can be packaged together, with a liquid filling port left during the packaging process. The liquid crystal layer 5 can then be injected between the first substrate 1 and the second substrate through the liquid filling port, and the liquid filling port can then be sealed to obtain the liquid crystal phase shifter.

[0195] In some embodiments, the first electrode layer 3 includes a plurality of first transmission portions 31 arranged along a first direction, and the second electrode layer 4 includes a second transmission portion 41 and a third transmission portion 42 arranged opposite to each other in a second direction; the second transmission portion 41 includes: a first main portion 411 extending along the first direction and a plurality of first teeth 412 connected to an edge of the first main portion 411 close to the third transmission portion 42; the third transmission portion 42 includes: a second main portion 421 extending along the first direction and a plurality of second teeth 422 connected to an edge of the second main portion 421 close to the second transmission portion 41; in this case, as shown in FIG. 22 , before forming the first electrode layer on one side of the first substrate and the second electrode layer on one side of the second substrate, steps S01 to S03 are further included:

[0196] S01 . Determine the widths of the first main body 411 and the second main body 421 in the second direction, and the distance between the first main body 411 and the second main body 421 in the second direction according to a preset frequency band.

[0197] S02. Determine the number of the first transmission portion 31, the first tooth portion 412, and the second tooth portion 422 according to the target thickness of the liquid crystal phase shifter, that is, the number of the corresponding flat plate capacitors in the liquid crystal phase shifter.

[0198] S03. Setting a first initial overlapping area between the first transmission portion 31 and the first tooth portion 412, and a second initial overlapping area between the first transmission portion 31 and the second tooth portion 422. A liquid crystal phase shifter model is constructed based on the number of first transmission portions 31, first tooth portions 412, and second tooth portions 422, as well as the first initial overlapping area and the second initial overlapping area. A simulation is performed, and the shapes and parameters of the first transmission portions 31, first tooth portions 412, and second tooth portions 422 in the liquid crystal phase shifter model are adjusted based on the simulation results. The parameters include, for example, the width of the first transmission portion 31 in the first direction and the length in the second direction, the spacing between two adjacent first transmission portions 31, the radius of the fillet when the orthographic projection of the first transmission portion 31 on the first substrate 1 is a rounded rectangle, the width of the first tooth portion 412 and the distance between the second tooth portion 422 in the first direction and the second direction, the spacing between two adjacent first tooth portions 412, and the spacing between two adjacent second tooth portions 422.

[0199] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, a liquid crystal phase shifter with a corresponding phase shift amount and impedance matching can be designed according to actual needs. Furthermore, designing a liquid crystal phase shifter according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can reduce the overall elastic coefficient of the liquid crystal layer 5 and the cell thickness of the liquid crystal phase shifter, thereby further reducing the response time of the liquid crystal phase shifter.

[0200] The present disclosure provides an antenna comprising a liquid crystal phase shifter as described in any embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0201] As shown in Figure 23, the simulation results of the antenna performance in the embodiment of the present disclosure are shown in Figure 20. As can be seen from the content shown in Figure 20, the return loss in the Ka band is less than <-10dB, and using TRL calibration (TRL calibration is the most commonly used and important calibration method in microwave and millimeter wave device testing, for example, by using a vector network analyzer (VNA) to measure the S parameters of three standard calibration parts, namely, through (Thru), reflect (Reflect), and transmission line (Line), the error coefficient is obtained by algorithm processing, and then the measured data is converted into calibrated real data), the insertion loss is less than 3dB, so the FOM (Figure of Merit) can achieve 120° / dB.

[0202] The response time of the liquid crystal phase shifter in the antenna of the embodiment of the present disclosure can reach the sub-millisecond level, which can meet communication requirements.

[0203] It is understood that the above embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments for illustrating the principles of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art may make various modifications and improvements without departing from the spirit and substance of the present disclosure, and such modifications and improvements are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A liquid crystal phase shifter, wherein: include: a first substrate and a second substrate arranged opposite to each other; a liquid crystal layer, the liquid crystal layer being located between the first substrate and the second substrate; a first electrode layer, the first electrode layer being located on a side of the first substrate facing the liquid crystal layer; a second electrode layer, the second electrode layer being located on a side of the second substrate facing the liquid crystal layer; The orthographic projections of the second electrode layer and the first electrode layer on the first substrate overlap, and a ratio of an area of ​​the overlapping portion to an area of ​​the first electrode layer is less than 0.6; In which, the liquid crystal layer includes liquid crystal molecules and chiral dopants, so that the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer extend along the direction of the electric field when an electric field is formed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer; and form multiple spiral liquid crystal units when there is no electric field between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer.

2. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to claim 1, wherein The liquid crystal molecules include microwave nematic liquid crystals; the material and doping concentration of the chiral dopant meet one of the following conditions: The chiral dopant includes R811, and the doping concentration in the liquid crystal layer is in the range of 2%-6%; The chiral dopant includes S811, and the doping concentration in the liquid crystal layer is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 6%; The chiral dopant includes CB15, and the doping concentration in the liquid crystal layer is in the range of 4%-7%; The chiral dopant includes C15, and the doping concentration in the liquid crystal layer is in the range of 4%-7%; The chiral dopant includes S1011, and the doping concentration in the liquid crystal layer is in the range of 1%-3%; The chiral dopant includes R1011, and the doping concentration in the liquid crystal layer is in the range of 0.5%-3%.

3. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The liquid crystal phase shifter comprises a phase shift region and matching regions located on two opposite sides of the phase shift region in a first direction; The orthographic projections of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer on the first substrate form a plurality of overlapping regions that are spaced apart, and both the matching region and the phase shift region have a plurality of the overlapping regions; An area of ​​the overlapping region in the phase shift region is greater than an area of ​​the overlapping region in the matching region.

4. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to claim 3, wherein: The thickness of the first electrode layer in the phase-shifting region is smaller than the thickness of the first electrode layer in the matching region; and / or, The thickness of the second electrode layer in the phase-shifting region is smaller than the thickness of the second electrode layer in the matching region.

5. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to claim 1, wherein The thickness of the liquid crystal phase shifter is between 1 μm and 2 μm.

6. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein: The first electrode layer includes a plurality of first transmission portions arranged along a first direction, the first transmission portions extending along a second direction; the second direction intersects the first direction; The second electrode layer includes a second transmission portion and a third transmission portion that are arranged opposite to each other in the second direction; The orthographic projections of the second transmission part and the third transmission part on the first substrate form a plurality of the cross sections arranged at intervals with the orthographic projection of the first transmission part on the first substrate. Overlap area.

7. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to claim 6, wherein: The widths of the plurality of first transmission portions in the first direction are equal; The lengths of the plurality of first transmission portions in the phase shift region in the second direction are equal; The lengths of the plurality of first transmission portions in the matching region in the second direction are equal, or gradually increase in a direction approaching the phase shift region.

8. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to claim 6 or 7, wherein: The minimum distance between the first transmission portion in the phase-shifting region and the first transmission portion in the matching region is d1, the minimum distance between two adjacent first transmission portions in the phase-shifting region is d2, and the minimum distance between two adjacent first transmission portions in the matching region is d3, where d1≥d2 and d1≥d3.

9. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein: The orthographic projection of the first transmission portion on the first substrate is in the shape of a right-angled rectangle or a rounded rectangle.

10. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to claim 9, wherein: When the shape of the first transmission portion is a rounded rectangle, the radius of the rounded rectangle is 1 / 10 to 1 / 2 times the width of the first transmission portion in the first direction.

11. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein: The first transmission portion has a first edge and a second edge that are opposite to each other in the first direction, and the first edge and / or the second edge are in a curved shape.

12. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein: The second transmission portion includes: a first main body portion extending along the first direction and a plurality of first teeth portions connected to an edge of the first main body portion close to the third transmission portion; the first teeth portions extend along the second direction; The third transmission portion includes: a second main body portion extending along the first direction and a plurality of second teeth portions connected to an edge of the second main body portion close to the second transmission portion; the second teeth portions extend along the second direction; The first tooth portion and the second tooth portion both correspond to the first transmission portion one-to-one, and the orthographic projections of the first tooth portion and the second tooth portion on the first substrate form the overlapping area with the orthographic projections of the corresponding first transmission portion on the first substrate.

13. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to claim 12, wherein: The widths of the plurality of first teeth portions in the first direction are the same, and / or the widths of the plurality of second teeth portions in the first direction are the same.

14. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to claim 12 or 13, wherein: In the matching region, the lengths of the plurality of first teeth in the second direction are the same, or gradually increase in a direction approaching the phase shift region; In the matching region, the lengths of the plurality of second teeth in the second direction are the same, or gradually increase in a direction approaching the phase shift region; In the phase shift region, a plurality of first tooth portions have the same length in the second direction, and / or a plurality of second tooth portions have the same length in the second direction.

15. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein: The orthographic projection of the first tooth portion on the first substrate is a right-angled rectangle; or, The first tooth portion has a first side, a second side and a third side, the first end of the first side and the first end of the second side are both connected to the first main body portion, and the third side It includes: a first arc edge and a second arc edge connected to each other, the first arc edge is connected to the second end of the first side edge, and the second arc edge is connected to the second end of the second side edge; the radii of the first arc edge and the second arc edge are both 1 / 10-1 / 2 times the width of the first tooth portion in the first direction.

16. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein: The orthographic projection of the second tooth portion on the first substrate is a right-angled rectangle; or, The second tooth portion has a fourth side, a fifth side and a sixth side, the first end of the fourth side and the first end of the fifth side are both connected to the second main body portion, and the sixth side includes: a connected third arc edge and a fourth arc edge, the third arc edge is connected to the second end of the fourth side, and the fourth arc edge is connected to the second end of the fifth side; the radii of the third arc edge and the fourth arc edge are both 1 / 10-1 / 2 times the width of the second tooth portion in the first direction.

17. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein: The first tooth portion has a third edge and a fourth edge opposite to each other in the first direction; the third edge and the fourth edge are both connected to the first main body portion, and at least one of the third edge and the fourth edge is in the shape of a curve; and / or, The second tooth portion has a fifth edge and a sixth edge opposite to each other in the first direction; the fifth edge and the sixth edge are both connected to the second main body portion, and at least one of the fifth edge and the sixth edge is in a curved shape.

18. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to any one of claims 6 to 17, wherein: An overlapping area formed by the orthographic projections of the first transmission portion and the second transmission portion on the first substrate is a first overlapping area; The orthographic projections of the first transmission portion and the third transmission portion on the first substrate form The overlapping area of ​​is the second overlapping area; The phase-shifting region and the matching region both have a plurality of first overlapping regions and a plurality of second overlapping regions; an area of ​​the first overlapping region in the phase-shifting region is larger than an area of ​​the first overlapping region in the matching region, and / or an area of ​​the second overlapping region in the phase-shifting region is larger than an area of ​​the second overlapping region in the matching region.

19. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to claim 18, wherein: The areas of the plurality of first overlapping regions in the phase shift region are equal, and / or the areas of the plurality of second overlapping regions in the phase shift region are equal.

20. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to claim 18 or 19, wherein: The areas of the plurality of first overlapping regions in the matching region gradually increase in a direction approaching the phase shift region, and / or the areas of the plurality of second overlapping regions in the matching region gradually increase in a direction approaching the phase shift region.

21. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to any one of claims 3 to 20, wherein: The liquid crystal phase shifter further includes: a first alignment layer, located between the first electrode layer and the liquid crystal layer; a second alignment layer, located between the second electrode layer and the liquid crystal layer; The orthographic projection of the first alignment layer on the first substrate covers and exceeds the orthographic projection of the first electrode layer on the first substrate; and / or the orthographic projection of the second alignment layer on the second substrate covers and exceeds the orthographic projection of the second electrode layer on the second substrate.

22. The liquid crystal phase shifter according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein: The liquid crystal phase shifter further includes: a feeding structure, located on a side of the second substrate away from the first substrate; Adhesive glue, bonded between the feeding structure and the second substrate; The feeding structure includes: a ground layer, a third substrate and a feeding layer arranged in sequence along a direction away from the second substrate. The feeding layer includes a first feeding component and a second feeding component. A first avoidance opening and a second avoidance opening are opened on the ground layer. The first feeding component is used to couple a microwave signal to the second electrode layer through the first avoidance opening; the second electrode layer is used to couple a microwave signal to the second feeding component through the second avoidance opening.

23. A method for preparing a liquid crystal phase shifter, wherein: include: forming a first electrode layer on one side of the first substrate and forming a second electrode layer on one side of the second substrate; Aligning a first substrate having a first electrode layer and a second substrate having a second electrode layer, and filling a liquid crystal layer between the two to form a liquid crystal phase shifter; The liquid crystal layer includes liquid crystal molecules and chiral dopants, so that the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer extend along the direction of the electric field when an electric field is formed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer; and form multiple spiral liquid crystal units when there is no electric field between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer.

24. The method for preparing a liquid crystal phase shifter according to claim 23, wherein: The first electrode layer includes a plurality of first transmission parts arranged along a first direction, and the second electrode layer includes a second transmission part and a third transmission part arranged opposite to each other in a second direction; the second transmission part includes: a first main body extending along the first direction and a plurality of first teeth connected to an edge of the first main body close to the third transmission part; the third transmission part includes: a second main body extending along the first direction and a plurality of second teeth connected to an edge of the second main body close to the second transmission part; A first electrode layer is formed on one side of the first substrate, and a second electrode layer is formed on one side of the second substrate. Before the polar layer, the method further comprises: Determining the widths of the first main body portion and the second main body portion in the second direction, and the distance between the first main body portion and the second main body portion, respectively, according to a preset frequency band; determining the number of the first transmission portion, the first tooth portion, and the second tooth portion according to a target thickness of the liquid crystal phase shifter; Setting a first initial overlapping area between the first transmission portion and the first tooth portion, and a second initial overlapping area between the first transmission portion and the second tooth portion; A liquid crystal phase shifter model is constructed based on the number of the first transmission portion, the first tooth portion, and the second tooth portion, as well as the first initial overlapping area and the second initial overlapping area, and a simulation is performed. The shapes and parameters of the first transmission portion, the first tooth portion, and the second tooth portion in the liquid crystal phase shifter model are adjusted based on the simulation results.

25. An antenna, wherein: The device comprises the liquid crystal phase shifter according to any one of claims 1 to 22.

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