Phase angle controlled stationary elements for long wavelength electromagnetic radiation
US6882460B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 25, 2003 |
| Grant date | Apr 19, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 30, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F2203/18
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An element for reflecting, transmitting, focusing, defocusing or wavefront correction of electromagnetic radiation in the terahertz frequency range. The elements include a grid of conductive strips including active regions comprising a chalcogenide phase change material. The chalcogenide material can be in an amorphous, crystalline or partially crystalline state. The dispersive characteristics of the grid (e.g. impedance, admittance, capacitance, inductance) influence one or more of the reflection, transmission, state of focusing or wavefront characteristics of incident electromagnetic radiation through the action of a stored phase taper formed by establishing a crystallinity gradient over a series of active chalcogenide regions or domains in one or more directions of the element. The dispersive characteristics of the grid are determined by the structural states of the active chalcogenide regions contained therein and are reconfigurable through transformations of one or more chalcogenide regions from one structural state to another by providing energy to the chalcogenide material. In a preferred embodiment, the individual active chalcogenide regions are much smaller than the operat…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.