An apparatus for exchanging liquid crystal (LC) between two areas of an antenna array in an antenna and method for using the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the antenna comprises a waveguide; an antenna element array having a plurality of radiating radio-frequency (RF) antenna elements, and a structure in an RF inactive area outside of, and at an outer periphery of, the antenna element array that is without a ground plane instantiating the waveguide. The structure collects LC from an area between substrates forming the RF antenna elements due to LC expansion and provides LC to the area between the substrates forming the RF antenna elements due to LC contraction.
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