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 formed using portions of first and second substrates with a liquid crystal (LC) therebetween, the portions of the first and second substrates adhered together, and a structure between the first and second substrates and 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 being operable to collect LC from an area between the first and second substrates forming the RF antenna elements due to LC expansion and to provide LC to the area between the first and second substrates forming the RF antenna elements due to LC contraction, the structure having a plurality of support spacers between the first and second substrates.
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