Assembly-free Tunable Resonator on TE011 Mode

A new type of continuously tunable resonator is described here. The resonator is working on the TE011 mode which provides a good quality factor. The frequency tuning is obtained by varying its height. A K-band resonator has been fabricated, using plastic 3D printing for the housing and silver paint for the metallization. Measurements show a tuning range of 14%, with quality factors of 2 300 and above while the mechanical system that is adopted for the cavity height variation also ensures a good spurious-free region. The proposed tunable resonator and mechanical tuning system are both made into one single part thanks to additive manufacturing.