Reflector material with low passive intermodulation (PIM)

摘要

A mesh material (10) for a spacecraft antenna (20) reflector is disclosed. The mesh material has a base material made from a dielectric fabric. A conductive material, such as nikkel, is applied to the dielectric mesh. The type and thickness of the conductive material is adjusted to regulate the final conductivity of the reflective surface to a predefined range. The mesh material (10) utilizes a range that reduces PIM while at the same time maintains a high degree of RF reflectivity. The preferred range is 0.01 to 10 ohms per square.