Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

Publication Date

Spring 5-16-2026

Abstract

D-dot sensors are a commonly used electric-field sensor by researchers in high-power fields such as high-power electromagnetics and pulse power. The bandwidth of these sensors is usually in the order of 100s of MHz up to 10 GHz, however sensors above 10 GHz are not readily available. This paper expands upon research on using addi- tive manufacturing techniques to build D-dots that can perform past 10 GHz. The paper covers two designs, one utilizing BMA connectors and another utilizing SMP connectors. Both were designed in SolidWorks, simulated in CST, built, and tested in an anechoic chamber. Both designs showed promising results when simulated in CST using realistic models for the connectors, with the SMP design outperforming the BMA design. The experimental results of the constructed D-dots aligned well with the analytic and simulated solutions. This suggests with further optimization, 3D-printed D-dots with operating frequencies past 10 GHz can be developed and used reliably.

Keywords

electric field sensors, free-field sensors, transient sensors, d- dots, antenna simulation, additive manufacturing, electroless plating

Project Sponsors

Air Force Research Labs

Document Type

Thesis

Language

English

Degree Name

Electrical Engineering

Level of Degree

Masters

First Committee Member (Chair)

Jane Lehr

Second Committee Member

Viktoriia Babicheva

Third Committee Member

Cameron Harjes

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Available for download on Tuesday, May 16, 2028

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