Microwave Dielectric Characteristics of (Mg0.95M0.05)Ta2O6 (M = Ni, Zn, Mn) Ceramic Series

The (Mg0.95M0.05)Ta2O6 (M = Ni, Zn, Mn) ceramics are prepared through the solid-state ceramic route and their microwave dielectric properties are investigated as a function of ionic radius difference of M and Mg. The forming of (Mg0.95M0.05)Ta2O6 solid solutions were confirmed by the XRD analysis and the measured lattice parameters and the ceramics showed a nonlinear variation of dielectric properties with the sintering temperature. In addition, the sintering temperature has slight effect on dielectric constant and temperature coefficient of resonant frequency, but significant on Qxf value. In particularly, (Mg0.95M0.05)Ta2O6 shows a relatively high Qxf of 88,300 GHz along with a dielectric constant of 28.73 and a tau(f) of 44.9 ppm/degrees C, indicating the dielectric can be used for high-frequency applications. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.