Integration of Photovoltaic Organic Materials into mm-Wave Technologies: Towards Self-Powered Phase Shifters

This paper introduces a Ka-band phase shifter that leverages a blend of the donor polymer PM6 and non-fullerene acceptor (NFA) Y7 organic materials. The design integrates a coplanar waveguide (CPW) with a spin-coated thin film of PM6:Y7 blend, characterized by its dielectric nonlinearity and light sensitivity. An applied electric field between the CPW signal and ground electrodes governs the phase shift mechanism, effectively modulating the permittivity of the blend. Our study reveals a significant differential phase shift of up to 28° at 38 GHz across the 1000 μm wide waveguide. Additionally, we explore the dynamic interplay between illumination and temperature on the performance of the phase shifter, providing insights into its operational versatility. The findings underscore the substantial potential of NFA-based phase shifters in millimeter-wave applications and adaptive communication systems, such as active antennas, marking a significant stride in developing organic material-based electronic components for self powered next-generation technologies.