A modified ring dielectric resonator with improved mode separation and its tunability characteristics in MIC environment

In this paper, a novel dielectric-resonator (DR) structure, called a modified ring resonator, has been proposed. In a microwave integrated-circuit configuration, the ring DR shape is modified in such a way that, for the TE/sub 01/spl delta// mode, the nearest hybrid (or TM/sub 01/spl delta//) modes are pushed farther to provide a higher mode separation simultaneous to no deterioration of the Q factor in the mode of interest. Further, the tunability studies reveal that degradation of mode separation in the proposed configuration is much lower than the conventional ring resonator for the tuning range studied here. The configuration also offers versatility in choosing the substrate thickness, which otherwise is limited in a ring resonator.