Plasmonic surface-scattering elements and metasurfaces for optical beam steering
US10627571B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 21, 2019 |
| Grant date | Apr 21, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 21, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01Q3/2676
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Systems and methods are described herein for an optical beam-steering device that includes an optical transmitter and/or receiver to transmit and/or receive optical radiation from an optically reflective surface. An array of adjustable plasmonic resonant waveguides is arranged on the surface with inter-element spacings less than an optical operating wavelength. A controller applies a pattern of voltage differentials to the adjustable plasmonic resonant waveguides. The pattern of voltage differentials corresponds to a sub-wavelength reflection phase pattern for reflecting the optical electromagnetic radiation. One embodiment of an adjustable plasmonic resonant waveguide includes first and second metal rails extending from the surface. The metal rails are spaced from one another to form channel therebetween. An electrically-adjustable dielectric is disposed within the channel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.