WR-03 Medium Power Termination
The WR-03 Medium Power Termination is a precision-engineered waveguide component that absorbs moderate RF energy, providing a perfect 50-ohm (normalized) match to prevent reflections. It is specifically designed for the 220 - 330 GHz frequency range, serving as a critical building block in J-Band infrastructure.
Medium-power terminations utilize a precision-tapered lossy dielectric wedge that gradually absorbs the RF wave over several wavelengths, preventing any sudden impedance steps. Operating in the extreme J-Band (220-330 GHz), WR-03 is the absolute cutting edge of commercial waveguide technology. The 0.034" x 0.017" aperture is thinner than a credit card, requiring flawless electroforming.
Key Features
Broadband Coverage
Full-band performance across the complete operating frequency range with consistent impedance matching.
Moderate Power Handling
Enhanced absorptive element with improved thermal capacity for sustained operation under moderate power conditions.
Production Ready
Built for reliability in automated production test lines and system integration environments.
Field Deployable
Compact enough for field applications while exceeding the power handling capability of low power loads.
J-Band Use Cases
ALMA Telescope
Sub-millimeter astronomy
THz Spectroscopy
Molecular rotational sensing
Material Science
Dielectric characterization
Medical Imaging
Non-ionizing THz scanners
More Medium Power Terminations
Frequently Asked Questions
How is VSWR minimized in a termination?+
The absorbing element is machined into a sharp spear or wedge shape. When the RF wave hits the tip, it sees almost empty space. As it travels deeper, the wedge gets thicker, gradually absorbing the power so no distinct "wall" ever bounces the signal back.
What is the physical size of the WR-03 opening?+
The internal hole of a WR-03 waveguide is 0.034 inches by 0.017 inches (0.86 mm by 0.43 mm). It is so small that a standard mechanical pencil lead cannot fit inside it. Dust particles alone can severely ruin the VSWR.
Why is gold plating mandatory on WR-03?+
At 300 GHz, the skin depth of the RF signal is less than 0.1 micrometers. The signal travels exclusively on the very outer layer of atoms on the waveguide wall. Even a microscopic layer of copper oxidation will completely absorb the terahertz wave, making non-oxidizing gold plating absolutely mandatory.