Signal Microwave is introducing a new line of nonmagnetic field replaceable SMA and 2.92 mm connectors that are targeting the quantum computing market. The SMA versions have a bandwidth of 27 GHz and the 2.92 mm versions have a bandwidth of 40 GHz. The first released connectors are SMA male and female field replaceable connectors that have a rear socket for 0.012 in. (0.3048 mm) launch pins or glass-to-metal 50 Ohm feedthroughs.

The connectors are made of phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, Teflon (PTFE) and Ultem. The metal components of these connectors are plated with 40 microns of gold only. Usually, a nickel barrier between the gold plating and the base metal is used for the long-term reliability of microwave connectors, especially those used in satellite applications. Nickel is magnetic, so it is not used in applications that these connectors are targeting. When the gold is plated directly over these metals without the nickel barrier, the gold and the base metals will interact and may cause corrosion over time. To manage this, the connectors can be replaced with new ones.

The 2.92 mm version may be more desirable than the SMA version, even at low frequencies, because 2.92 mm connectors do not use Teflon (PTFE) as the dielectric. The 2.92 mm connector is an air line connector developed to test SMA connectors. The air dielectric has better temperature stability than Teflon (PTFE) and it is not affected by temperature and other environmental changes.

Scheduled additions to the nonmagnetic connector product line are field replaceable SMA and 2.92 mm for 0.020 in. (0.508 mm) launch pins and glass-to-metal 50 Ohm feedthroughs, as well as nonmagnetic versions of Signal Microwave’s board-mounted connectors.

Signal Microwave LLC
Tempe, Ariz.
signalmicrowave.com