Radio wave lens

Abstract

To provide a radio wave lens which is operable in a wide band.SOLUTION: A radio wave lens 1 comprises a translucent substrate 10 and a conductive wire 20 which is provided on one principal surface of the translucent substrate 10. In a view in a thickness direction of the translucent substrate 10, the conductive wire 20 forms a wiring pattern 41 in which a plurality of cells 30 where the conductive wire 20 is positioned at least in a periphery is disposed regularly in a first direction D1 and a second direction D2 orthogonal to each other. In the wiring pattern 41, a first region 41a in which corners of cells 30 adjacent to each other at least in the first direction D1 are segmented from each other and a second region 41b in which corners of cells 30 adjacent to each other at least in the first direction D1 are connected to each other are disposed alternately.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a radio wave lens. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a phase adjustment plate having a base having a first principal surface and a second principal surface opposing each other, and a conductor pattern provided on the first principal surface of the base, wherein the base transmits electromagnetic waves incident from the second principal surface to the first principal surface, and the conductor pattern focuses the incident electromagnetic waves to a focal point on the first principal surface side or the second principal surface side. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2022 / 138397 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the phase adjustment plate described in Patent Document 1, the conductor pattern provided on the first main surface of the substrate forms a metasurface. A metasurface means an artificial surface that controls the transmission and reflection characteristics of an incident electromagnetic wave. In the phase adjustment plate described in Patent Document 1, the conductor pattern that forms the metasurface is said to be capable of transmitting, reflecting, or concentrating the incident electromagnetic wave in a desired direction. However, the phase adjustment plate described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it has a narrow operating band because it utilizes the resonance phenomenon of the metasurface formed by the conductor pattern to transmit, reflect, or concentrate the incident electromagnetic wave, particularly the radio wave.

[0005] For example, the fifth generation (so-called 5G) mobile communication standard allows the use of millimeter wave radio waves. The millimeter wave band generally refers to a frequency band of 30 GHz or more and 300 GHz or less, but in the field of mobile communications, frequency bands of 26 GHz or more are also called millimeter wave bands. The inventors have conducted research and found that when the resonance phenomenon of a metasurface is utilized as in the phase adjustment plate described in Patent Document 1, operation is narrow band, and the metasurface does not work for radio waves in the frequency band of 29 GHz or more, for example, and electromagnetic waves cannot be controlled.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has an object to provide a radio wave lens capable of operating in a wide band. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The radio wave lens of the present invention comprises a light-transmitting substrate and conductive wiring provided on one main surface of the light-transmitting substrate, and when viewed in the thickness direction of the light-transmitting substrate, the conductive wiring forms a wiring pattern in which a plurality of cells, at least at the periphery of which the conductive wiring is located, are regularly arranged along a first direction and a second direction that intersect with each other, and the wiring pattern is characterized in that a first region in which corners of the cells adjacent at least in the first direction are separated and a second region in which corners of the cells adjacent at least in the first direction are connected are arranged alternately. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a radio wave lens capable of operating in a wide band. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view schematic diagram showing an example of a radio wave lens according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an enlarged state of a first region of the wiring pattern shown in FIG. [Diagram 3]FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an enlarged state of a second region of the wiring pattern shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic plan view of the cell shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an embodiment in which the internal structure of the cell is different from that in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an embodiment in which the internal structure of the cell is different from those in FIGS. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an embodiment in which the internal structure of the cell is different from those in FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an embodiment in which the planar shape of the cell is different from that in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an embodiment in which the planar shape of the cell is different from those in FIG. 3 and FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an embodiment in which the planar shape of the cell is different from those in FIG. 3, FIG. 8, and FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a plan view schematic diagram showing an example of a radio wave lens according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an enlarged state of the first region of the wiring pattern shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an enlarged state of the second region of the wiring pattern shown in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view showing another example of the radio wave lens according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an enlarged state of the first region of the wiring pattern shown in FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an enlarged state of the second region of the wiring pattern shown in FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a plan view schematic diagram showing an example of a radio wave lens according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18]FIG. 18 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an enlarged state of the first region of the wiring pattern shown in FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an enlarged state of the second region of the wiring pattern shown in FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a plan view schematic diagram showing an example of a radio wave lens according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an enlarged state of the first region of the wiring pattern shown in FIG. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an enlarged state of the second region of the wiring pattern shown in FIG. [Diagram 23] FIG. 23 is a plan view schematic diagram showing an example of a radio wave lens according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an enlarged state of the first region of the wiring pattern shown in FIG. [Diagram 25] FIG. 25 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an enlarged state of the second region of the wiring pattern shown in FIG. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a schematic plan view showing another example of an enlarged state of the first region of the wiring pattern shown in FIG. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a schematic plan view showing yet another example of an enlarged state of the first region of the wiring pattern shown in FIG. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a schematic plan view showing another example of the radio wave lens according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an enlarged state of the first region of the wiring pattern shown in FIG. [Diagram 30] FIG. 30 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an enlarged state of the second region of the wiring pattern shown in FIG. [Diagram 31] FIG. 31 is a schematic plan view showing another example of an enlarged state of the first region of the wiring pattern shown in FIG. [Diagram 32]FIG. 32 is a schematic plan view showing yet another example of an enlarged state of the first region of the wiring pattern shown in FIG. [Diagram 33] FIG. 33 is a plan view schematic diagram showing an example of a radio wave lens according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 34] FIG. 34 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an enlarged state of the first region of the wiring pattern shown in FIG. [Diagram 35] FIG. 35 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an enlarged state of the second region of the wiring pattern shown in FIG. [Diagram 36] FIG. 36 is a plan view schematic diagram showing an example of a radio wave lens according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 37] FIG. 37 is a graph showing the results of a simulation evaluation of the transmission and reflection characteristics of radio waves for the radio wave lens of Example 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The radio wave lens of the present invention will be described below. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following configurations, and may be modified as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention. In addition, a combination of multiple individual preferred configurations described below also constitutes the present invention.

[0011] The following embodiments are merely examples, and it goes without saying that partial replacement or combination of the configurations shown in different embodiments is possible. In the second and subsequent embodiments, the description of the matters common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and the differences will be mainly described. In particular, the same effects and advantages due to the same configuration will not be mentioned one by one for each embodiment.

[0012] In the following description, unless there is a need to distinguish between the various embodiments, they will simply be referred to as the "radio wave lens of the present invention."

[0013] The drawings shown below are schematic diagrams, and the dimensions, aspect ratio, and scale may differ from those of the actual product.

[0014] In this specification, unless otherwise specified, terms indicating the relationship between elements (e.g., "parallel", "perpendicular", etc.) and terms indicating the shape of elements not only mean the literal strict form, but also mean a range that is substantially equivalent, for example, a range that includes a difference of about a few percent.

[0015] The radio wave lens of the present invention comprises a light-transmitting substrate and conductive wiring provided on one main surface of the light-transmitting substrate, and when viewed in the thickness direction of the light-transmitting substrate, the conductive wiring forms a wiring pattern in which a plurality of cells, at least at the periphery of which the conductive wiring is located, are regularly arranged along a first direction and a second direction that intersect with each other, and the wiring pattern is characterized in that a first region in which corners of the cells adjacent at least in the first direction are separated and a second region in which corners of the cells adjacent at least in the first direction are connected are arranged alternately.

[0016] [Embodiment 1] In the radio wave lens of the first embodiment of the present invention, the first regions and the second regions are concentrically and alternately arranged in the wiring pattern.

[0017] In the radio wave lens of the first embodiment of the present invention, a first region is disposed on the innermost side of the wiring pattern.

[0018] In the radio wave lens of the first embodiment of the present invention, in the first region, corners of cells adjacent to each other in the first direction are separated from each other, and corners of cells adjacent to each other in the second direction are separated from each other.

[0019] In the radio wave lens of the first embodiment of the present invention, in the second region, corners of cells adjacent to each other in the first direction are connected to each other, and corners of cells adjacent to each other in the second direction are connected to each other.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a plan view schematic diagram showing an example of a radio wave lens according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] The radio wave lens 1 shown in FIG.

[0022] In this specification, the term "light-transmitting substrate" refers to a substrate that can transmit not only light (particularly visible light) but also radio waves among incident electromagnetic waves.

[0023] In this specification, "transmissible to radio waves" means that the transmittance to radio waves is 60% or more, preferably 70% or more, more preferably 80% or more, even more preferably 90% or more, and particularly preferably 100%.

[0024] The light-transmitting substrate 10 is preferably a glass substrate. In this case, the material of the glass substrate is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include soda-lime glass, non-alkali glass, and quartz glass.

[0025] When the light-transmitting substrate 10 is a glass substrate, the light-transmitting substrate 10 may be used, for example, as window glass for a building.

[0026] The light-transmitting substrate 10 may be a substrate other than a glass substrate, for example, a resin substrate, so long as it is capable of transmitting radio waves in addition to light (particularly, visible light). Examples of materials constituting such a resin substrate include acrylic resins such as polymethyl methacrylate, cycloolefin resins, polycarbonate resins, and the like.

[0027] The conductive wiring 20 is provided on one main surface of the light-transmitting substrate 10 (the main surface on the front side of the paper in FIG. 1).

[0028] The conductive wiring 20 is preferably a metal wiring. In this case, the constituent material of the conductive wiring 20 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include simple metals such as copper, nickel, and gold, and metal oxides such as tin oxide, indium tin oxide, zinc oxide, and indium zinc oxide. When the conductive wiring 20 is made of copper, the conductivity of the conductive wiring 20 is likely to be improved. When the conductive wiring 20 is made of the above-mentioned metal oxides, the transparency of the conductive wiring 20 is likely to be improved.

[0029] When viewed in the thickness direction of the light-transmitting substrate 10 (in FIG. 1, the direction perpendicular to the paper surface), the conductive wiring 20 forms a wiring pattern 41.

[0030] In the wiring pattern 41, a plurality of cells 30 are regularly arranged along a first direction D1 and a second direction D2.

[0031] For each cell 30, the conductive wiring 20 is located at least on the periphery of the cell 30. In the example shown in Fig. 1, for each cell 30, the conductive wiring 20 is located only on the periphery of the cell 30. That is, in the example shown in Fig. 1, the conductive wiring 20 located on the periphery and the area surrounded by the conductive wiring 20 together correspond to the cell 30.

[0032] The first direction D1 and the second direction D2 intersect with each other.

[0033] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are perpendicular to each other.

[0034] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are each perpendicular to the thickness direction of the light-transmitting substrate 10.

[0035] In the wiring pattern 41, the first regions 41a and the second regions 41b are arranged alternately.

[0036] In this specification, the embodiment in which "the first region and the second region are alternately arranged" includes (1) an embodiment in which N first regions and N second regions are alternately arranged, (2) an embodiment in which N first regions and N+1 second regions are alternately arranged, and (3) an embodiment in which N+1 first regions and N second regions are alternately arranged, where N is an integer of 1 or more. For example, the embodiment in which one first region and one second region are arranged side by side (included in the above (1)), the embodiment in which one first region and two second regions are arranged in the order of the second region, the first region, and the second region (included in the above (2)), and the embodiment in which two first regions and one second region are arranged in the order of the first region, the second region, and the first region (included in the above (3)) are also referred to as "the first region and the second region are alternately arranged". Thus, the number of each of the first region and the second region is not limited to a plurality, and may be at least one.

[0037] In the wiring pattern 41, the first region 41a and the second region 41b are alternately arranged in a concentric manner. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the first region 41a and the second region 41b are alternately arranged in a concentric circular manner. The first region 41a and the second region 41b may be alternately arranged in a shape other than a concentric circular shape, such as a concentric ellipse or a concentric polygon.

[0038] The first regions 41a are disposed on the innermost side of the wiring pattern 41. That is, in the wiring pattern 41, the first regions 41a are disposed in odd-numbered positions (including the first) from the innermost side (corresponding to the first), and the second regions 41b are disposed in even-numbered positions from the innermost side.

[0039] The detailed configurations of the first region 41a and the second region 41b of the wiring pattern 41 will be described below.

[0040] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an enlarged state of a first region of the wiring pattern shown in FIG.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 2, in the first region 41a, corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in at least the first direction D1 are separated from each other. In the example shown in Fig. 2, in the first region 41a, corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1 are separated from each other, and corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the second direction D2 are separated from each other. This allows the incident radio wave to pass through the first region 41a.

[0042] In the example shown in Fig. 2, the conductive wiring 20 located on the periphery and the area surrounded by the conductive wiring 20 together correspond to the cell 30. On the other hand, in the example shown in Fig. 2, a portion where the conductive wiring 20 is divided in the middle of the periphery (corner) (for example, the portion located in the center of Fig. 2: the portion not marked with the reference symbol 30) does not correspond to the cell 30.

[0043] FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an enlarged state of a second region of the wiring pattern shown in FIG.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 3, in the second region 41b, corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in at least the first direction D1 are connected to each other. In the example shown in Fig. 3, in the second region 41b, corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1 are connected to each other, and corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the second direction D2 are connected to each other. As a result, the incident radio wave is reflected in the second region 41b.

[0045] As described above, in the wiring pattern 41, the first region 41a functions as a transmission region and the second region 41b functions as a reflection region for the incident radio wave. That is, in the wiring pattern 41, the transmission characteristics and reflection characteristics for the incident radio wave can be controlled depending on the disconnection (disconnection) or connection state of the corners of the adjacent cells 30.

[0046] Therefore, unlike the phase adjustment plate described in Patent Document 1, the radio wave lens 1 does not utilize the resonance phenomenon of the metasurface to control the transmission and reflection characteristics of the incident radio waves, and therefore can operate over a wide bandwidth.

[0047] Furthermore, the radio wave lens 1 collects, of the incident radio waves, those that pass through the first region 41a on the side opposite to the incident side due to the lens effect of the wiring pattern 41. Specifically, this is as follows.

[0048] In the radio wave lens 1, as shown in Fig. 1, a first region 41a that transmits the incident radio wave and a second region 41b that reflects the incident radio wave are alternately arranged in a concentric circle. Therefore, in the radio wave lens 1, the wiring pattern 41 forms a Fresnel zone for the incident radio wave. In other words, the radio wave lens 1 functions as a Fresnel zone plate for the incident radio wave. Specifically, the radio wave lens 1 functions as a transmission type Fresnel zone plate that focuses the radio wave that transmits the first region 41a among the incident radio waves on the opposite side to the incident side.

[0049] When the radio wave lens 1 functions as a transmissive Fresnel zone plate, the radius of each zone of the Fresnel zone formed by the wiring pattern 41, that is, the distance from the center of the wiring pattern 41 to the periphery of each of the first region 41a and the second region 41b, can be adjusted to focus incident radio waves of a specified frequency at a specified position.

[0050] For example, when the radio wave lens 1 is used as the window glass of a building (when the light-transmitting substrate 10 is used as the window glass of a building), radio waves radiated from an outdoor base station and incident on the window glass can be concentrated at a predetermined position indoors. Therefore, radio waves radiated from the outdoor base station and incident on the window glass can be efficiently received by a receiver (e.g., an antenna) placed at a predetermined position indoors. This makes it possible to create a good communication environment indoors.

[0051] On the other hand, millimeter wave radio waves are expected to realize high-speed, large-capacity communications, but because they have a high degree of directivity, millimeter wave radio waves emitted from an outdoor base station are already attenuated by the time they reach the window glass, and in many cases are further attenuated by the window glass. In contrast, if the radio wave lens 1 is used on the window glass, even millimeter wave radio waves, which are easily attenuated, can be focused at a specified position indoors. Therefore, by placing a receiver at the focusing position (focus), millimeter wave radio waves can be efficiently received by the indoor receiver. This makes it possible to create a good communication environment indoors, even when using millimeter wave radio waves.

[0052] Furthermore, since it is difficult to visually check the disconnected (disconnected) or connected state of the corners of adjacent cells 30 with the radio wave lens 1, it is possible to conceal radio wave information (pattern) such as the transmission characteristics and reflection characteristics of the radio waves (e.g., radio waves emitted from a base station) that the radio wave lens 1 targets.

[0053] In the radio wave lens 1, the state of separation (non-connection) or connection of the corners of adjacent cells 30 can be freely changed. For example, by connecting the separated corners of adjacent cells 30 by soldering or the like, the relationship between the corners of adjacent cells 30 can be easily changed from a separated state to a connected state. Also, for example, by separating (cutting) the connected corners of adjacent cells 30 by laser processing or the like, the relationship between the corners of adjacent cells 30 can be easily changed from a connected state to a separated state. As described above, in the radio wave lens 1, the arrangement of the transmission area and the reflection area can be freely changed with respect to the incident radio waves.

[0054] The radio wave frequency band targeted by the radio wave lens 1 is preferably 10 GHz or more and 300 GHz or less (including the millimeter wave band), more preferably 20 GHz or more and 70 GHz or less, even more preferably 20 GHz or more and 60 GHz or less, and particularly preferably 29 GHz or more and 60 GHz or less.

[0055] The width W of the conductive trace 20 is preferably 10% or less of the maximum dimension P of the cell 30 .

[0056] The width W of the conductive wiring 20 is, for example, 10 μm.

[0057] In a resonator that utilizes the resonance phenomenon of a metasurface, such as the phase adjustment plate described in Patent Document 1, a special design is required to increase the optical transmittance. In contrast, in the radio wave lens 1, the area ratio of the conductive wiring 20 to the cell 30 is very small, making it easy to increase the optical transmittance and eliminating the need for a special design.

[0058] The maximum dimension P of the cell 30 is preferably smaller than the wavelength of the radio waves that the radio wave lens 1 targets.

[0059] In this specification, the "maximum dimension of a cell" refers to the maximum dimension of a line connecting two points located on the substantial circumference of the cell (the maximum distance between two points located on the substantial circumference of the cell).

[0060] The maximum dimension P of the cell 30 is preferably 1 / 10 or less of the wavelength of the radio wave, and more preferably 1 / 30 or less of the wavelength of the radio wave.

[0061] The maximum dimension P of the cell 30 (the diagonal dimension in Figs. 2 and 3) is, for example, 300 µm.

[0062] In a resonator that utilizes the resonance phenomenon of a metasurface, such as the phase adjustment plate described in Patent Document 1, redesign is required when changing the operating frequency. In contrast, in the radio wave lens 1, if the maximum dimension P of the cell 30 is sufficiently smaller than the wavelength of the radio wave, redesign is not required when changing the operating frequency.

[0063] Furthermore, in a resonator that utilizes the resonance phenomenon of a metasurface, such as the phase adjustment plate described in Patent Document 1, due to the nature of utilizing the resonance phenomenon, it is difficult in principle to miniaturize the resonator structure arranged in the unit cell. In contrast, the radio wave lens 1 does not utilize the resonance phenomenon, so it is easy to miniaturize the cell 30.

[0064] Furthermore, a resonator that utilizes the resonance phenomenon of a metasurface, such as the phase adjustment plate described in Patent Document 1, is likely to couple with surrounding resonators. Therefore, the characteristics of a resonator that utilizes the resonance phenomenon of a metasurface are easily affected by the arrangement structure of the surrounding resonators. For example, Patent Document 1 describes that the phase adjustment plate functions as a Fresnel zone plate, but for the reasons described above, the characteristics of the resonator as a phase adjustment plate are easily affected by the arrangement structure of the surrounding resonators, making it difficult to design a Fresnel zone plate. In contrast, when the maximum dimension P of the cell 30 is smaller than the wavelength of the radio wave, the radio wave lens 1 can function as a Fresnel zone plate composed of a collection of cells 30 smaller than the wavelength of the radio wave. As a result, in the Fresnel zone formed by the wiring pattern 41 of the radio wave lens 1, each zone is likely to become an ideal continuum, and further, the resolution of each zone is likely to be improved.

[0065] The internal structure of the cell 30 is not particularly limited, and may be other than the embodiment in which the conductive wiring 20 is located only on the periphery of the cell 30 as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.

[0066] An example of the internal structure of the cell 30 is described below.

[0067] Fig. 4 is an enlarged schematic plan view of the cell shown in Fig. 1. Note that Fig. 4 does not show the state of separation (disconnection) or connection between adjacent cells. The same applies to Figs. 5, 6, and 7 described below.

[0068] In the example shown in Fig. 4, conductive wiring 20 is located only on the periphery of cell 30. In other words, in the example shown in Fig. 4, the entirety of cell 30 other than the periphery is not filled.

[0069] FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an embodiment in which the internal structure of the cell is different from that in FIG.

[0070] In the example shown in Fig. 5, compared to the example shown in Fig. 4, a part of the cell 30 other than the periphery is filled with the same material as the conductive wiring 20. As a result, in the example shown in Fig. 5, the optical transmittance of the cell 30 can be reduced compared to the example shown in Fig. 4.

[0071] FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an embodiment in which the internal structure of the cell is different from those in FIGS.

[0072] In the example shown in Fig. 6, a part of the cell 30 other than the periphery is filled with the same material as the conductive wiring 20 in a pattern different from that in the example shown in Fig. 5 in comparison with the example shown in Fig. 4. As a result, in the example shown in Fig. 6, the optical transmittance of the cell 30 can be reduced compared with the examples shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

[0073] FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an embodiment in which the internal structure of the cell is different from those in FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG.

[0074] 7, unlike the example shown in Fig. 4, the entire cell 30 except for the periphery is filled with the same material as the conductive wiring 20. As a result, in the example shown in Fig. 7, the optical transmittance of the cell 30 can be reduced compared to the examples shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6.

[0075] 5, 6, and 7, at least a portion of the cell 30 other than its periphery may be filled with the same material as the conductive wiring 20. That is, in a wiring pattern in which a plurality of cells 30 are arranged, at least a portion of at least one cell 30 other than its periphery may be filled with the same material as the conductive wiring 20.

[0076] In at least one of the cells 30, at least a portion other than the periphery of the cell 30 may be filled with a material different from the conductive wiring 20.

[0077] In a resonator that utilizes the resonance phenomenon of a metasurface, such as the phase adjustment plate described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to control the optical transmittance. In contrast, in the radio wave lens 1, the optical transmittance can be easily controlled by changing the internal structure of the cell 30 as described above. Furthermore, in the radio wave lens 1, the design (visibility) can be freely changed by changing the optical transmittance of at least one cell 30 in the wiring pattern 41 in which multiple cells 30 are arranged. For example, in the radio wave lens 1, by changing the optical transmittance for each cell 30, a design can be created in which optically transparent areas and optically opaque areas are arranged in a gradational manner.

[0078] As described above, the internal structure of cell 30 can be freely designed since the internal structure of cell 30 has almost no effect on the transmission and reflection characteristics of the radio waves incident on wiring pattern 41. In other words, in wiring pattern 41, the wiring pattern related to the transmission and reflection characteristics of the incident radio waves and the wiring pattern related to the optical transmittance related to the design (visibility) can be designed independently.

[0079] In the following, an embodiment in which the conductive wiring 20 is located only on the periphery of the cell 30 is mainly shown, but at least a portion of the cell 30 other than the periphery may be filled with the same material as the conductive wiring 20, or at least a portion of the cell 30 other than the periphery may be filled with a material different from the conductive wiring 20.

[0080] The planar shape of the cells 30 when viewed from the thickness direction of the light-transmitting substrate 10 is not particularly limited, and may be a shape other than the approximate rectangle (approximate diamond) as shown in FIGS.

[0081] Regarding the planar shape of the cell 30, aspects different from that shown in FIG. 3 will be described below.

[0082] FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an embodiment in which the planar shape of the cell is different from that in FIG.

[0083] In the example shown in FIG. 8, the planar shape of the cell 30 is approximately triangular.

[0084] FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an embodiment in which the planar shape of the cell is different from those in FIG. 3 and FIG.

[0085] In the example shown in FIG. 9, the planar shape of the cell 30 is substantially octagonal.

[0086] The planar shape of the cells 30 may be a substantially polygonal shape with an outline formed by straight lines, such as the above-mentioned substantially triangle, substantially square (substantially diamond), substantially octagon, etc., or a shape other than a substantially polygonal shape. For example, the planar shape of the cells 30 may be a shape with an outline formed by curved lines.

[0087] FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view showing an example of an embodiment in which the planar shape of the cell is different from those in FIG. 3, FIG. 8, and FIG.

[0088] In the example shown in FIG. 10, the planar shape of the cell 30 is a ginkgo shape whose outline is made up of curved lines.

[0089] 8, 9, and 10 show the states in which the corners of adjacent cells 30 are connected to each other, but the corners of adjacent cells 30 may be appropriately separated from each other.

[0090] In the following, the embodiments in which the planar shape of the cells 30 is substantially quadrangular (substantially diamond) and substantially triangular are mainly shown, but the same applies to the embodiments in which the planar shape of the cells 30 is other shapes.

[0091] [Embodiment 2] The radio wave lens of embodiment 2 of the present invention is different from the radio wave lens of embodiment 1 of the present invention in that, in the first region, corners of adjacent cells in the first direction are separated, and corners of adjacent cells in the second direction are connected.

[0092] In the radio wave lens of embodiment 2 of the present invention, like the radio wave lens of embodiment 1 of the present invention, in the second region, corners of adjacent cells in the first direction are connected to each other, and corners of adjacent cells in the second direction are connected to each other.

[0093] Fig. 11 is a plan view schematic diagram showing an example of a radio wave lens according to embodiment 2 of the present invention. Fig. 12 is a plan view schematic diagram showing an example of an enlarged state of a first region of the wiring pattern shown in Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a plan view schematic diagram showing an example of an enlarged state of a second region of the wiring pattern shown in Fig. 11.

[0094] In the electromagnetic lens 2 shown in FIG. 11, in the wiring pattern 42, first regions 42a and second regions 42b are alternately arranged in a concentric pattern.

[0095] At the innermost portion of the wiring pattern 42, a first region 42a is disposed.

[0096] The conductive wiring constituting the wiring pattern 42 is not shown in Fig. 11 which is an overall view of the radio wave lens 2, but is shown in Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 which are enlarged views of the radio wave lens 2. The same applies to the subsequent embodiments.

[0097] 12, in the first region 42a, the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1 are separated from each other, and the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the second direction D2 are connected to each other. As a result, in the first region 42a, of the incident radio waves, polarized waves oscillating in the first direction D1 are transmitted, and polarized waves oscillating in the second direction D2 are reflected.

[0098] 13, in the second region 42b, the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1 are connected to each other, and the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the second direction D2 are connected to each other. As a result, in the second region 42b, of the incident radio waves, both the polarized waves oscillating in the first direction D1 and the polarized waves oscillating in the second direction D2 are reflected.

[0099] As described above, in the wiring pattern 42, the first region 42a functions as a transmission region for polarized waves oscillating in the first direction D1 among the incident radio waves, and the second region 42b functions as a reflection region. On the other hand, in the wiring pattern 42, both the first region 42a and the second region 42b function as reflection regions for polarized waves oscillating in the second direction D2 among the incident radio waves.

[0100] Therefore, the radio wave lens 2 collects only polarized waves oscillating in the first direction D1 out of the incident radio waves due to the lens effect of the wiring pattern 42. In other words, the radio wave lens 2 functions as a polarization filter that collects only polarized waves oscillating in the first direction D1.

[0101] 11, 12, and 13 show a case where the first direction D1 corresponds to the horizontal direction and the second direction D2 corresponds to the vertical direction. In this case, the polarized wave oscillating in the first direction D1 corresponds to the horizontal polarized wave, and the polarized wave oscillating in the second direction D2 corresponds to the vertical polarized wave, so that the radio wave lens 2 functions as a polarized wave filter that collects only the horizontally polarized wave.

[0102] The first direction D1 and the second direction D2 may be interchanged with respect to Figures 11, 12, and 13. More specifically, this is as follows.

[0103] Fig. 14 is a plan view schematic diagram showing another example of the radio wave lens according to embodiment 2 of the present invention. Fig. 15 is a plan view schematic diagram showing an example of an enlarged state of a first region of the wiring pattern shown in Fig. 14. Fig. 16 is a plan view schematic diagram showing an example of an enlarged state of a second region of the wiring pattern shown in Fig. 14.

[0104] 14, in the wiring pattern 42', the first region 42a' functions as a transmission region for polarized waves that oscillate in the first direction D1, and the second region 42b' functions as a reflection region, as can be seen from Fig. 15 and Fig. 16. On the other hand, in the wiring pattern 42', both the first region 42a' and the second region 42b' function as reflection regions for polarized waves that oscillate in the second direction D2, among the incident radio waves.

[0105] Therefore, the radio wave lens 2' focuses only the polarized waves oscillating in the first direction D1 out of the incident radio waves due to the lens effect of the wiring pattern 42'.

[0106] 14, 15, and 16 show a case where the first direction D1 corresponds to the vertical direction and the second direction D2 corresponds to the horizontal direction. In this case, the polarized wave oscillating in the first direction D1 corresponds to the vertical polarized wave, and the polarized wave oscillating in the second direction D2 corresponds to the horizontal polarized wave, so the radio wave lens 2' functions as a polarized wave filter that collects only the vertical polarized wave.

[0107] In a resonator that utilizes the resonance phenomenon of a metasurface, such as the phase adjustment plate described in Patent Document 1, a special design is required for each incident polarized wave, for example, for each incident horizontally polarized wave and vertically polarized wave. In contrast, the radio wave lens 2 and the radio wave lens 2' can accommodate each incident polarized wave, for example, the incident horizontally polarized wave and the vertically polarized wave, simply by controlling the disconnection (disconnection) or connection state of the corners of adjacent cells 30.

[0108] [Embodiment 3] In the radio wave lens of embodiment 3 of the present invention, like the radio wave lens of embodiment 1 of the present invention, in the first region, corners of cells adjacent in the first direction are separated from each other, and corners of cells adjacent in the second direction are separated from each other.

[0109] The radio wave lens of embodiment 3 of the present invention is different from the radio wave lens of embodiment 1 of the present invention in that, in the second region, corners of adjacent cells in the first direction are connected to each other, and corners of adjacent cells in the second direction are separated from each other.

[0110] Fig. 17 is a plan view schematic diagram showing an example of a radio wave lens according to embodiment 3 of the present invention. Fig. 18 is a plan view schematic diagram showing an example of an enlarged state of a first region of the wiring pattern shown in Fig. 17. Fig. 19 is a plan view schematic diagram showing an example of an enlarged state of a second region of the wiring pattern shown in Fig. 17.

[0111] In the radio wave lens 3 shown in FIG. 17, in the wiring pattern 43, first regions 43a and second regions 43b are alternately arranged in a concentric manner.

[0112] At the innermost portion of the wiring pattern 43, a first region 43a is disposed.

[0113] 18, in the first region 43a, the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1 are separated from each other, and the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the second direction D2 are separated from each other. As a result, the first region 43a transmits both polarized waves oscillating in the first direction D1 and polarized waves oscillating in the second direction D2 out of the incident radio waves.

[0114] 19, in the second region 43b, the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1 are connected to each other, and the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the second direction D2 are separated from each other. As a result, in the second region 43b, of the incident radio waves, the polarized waves oscillating in the first direction D1 are reflected, and the polarized waves oscillating in the second direction D2 are transmitted.

[0115] As described above, in the wiring pattern 43, the first region 43a functions as a transmitting region for polarized waves oscillating in the first direction D1 among the incident radio waves, and the second region 43b functions as a reflecting region. On the other hand, in the wiring pattern 43, both the first region 43a and the second region 43b function as transmitting regions for polarized waves oscillating in the second direction D2 among the incident radio waves.

[0116] Therefore, the radio wave lens 3 collects only polarized waves oscillating in the first direction D1 out of the incident radio waves due to the lens effect of the wiring pattern 43. In other words, the radio wave lens 3 functions as a polarization filter that collects only polarized waves oscillating in the first direction D1.

[0117] 17, 18, and 19 show a case where the first direction D1 corresponds to the horizontal direction and the second direction D2 corresponds to the vertical direction. In this case, the polarized wave oscillating in the first direction D1 corresponds to the horizontal polarized wave, and the polarized wave oscillating in the second direction D2 corresponds to the vertical polarized wave, so that the radio wave lens 3 functions as a polarized wave filter that collects only the horizontally polarized wave.

[0118] With respect to Figures 17, 18, and 19, when the first direction D1 corresponds to the vertical direction and the second direction D2 corresponds to the horizontal direction, i.e., when the polarized wave oscillating in the first direction D1 corresponds to a vertical polarized wave and the polarized wave oscillating in the second direction D2 corresponds to a horizontal polarized wave, the radio wave lens functions as a polarized wave filter that focuses only vertically polarized waves.

[0119] [Embodiment 4] The radio wave lens of embodiment 4 of the present invention is different from the radio wave lens of embodiment 1 of the present invention in that, in the first region, corners of adjacent cells in the first direction are separated, and corners of adjacent cells in the second direction are connected.

[0120] The radio wave lens of embodiment 4 of the present invention is different from the radio wave lens of embodiment 1 of the present invention in that, in the second region, corners of adjacent cells in the first direction are connected to each other, and corners of adjacent cells in the second direction are separated from each other.

[0121] Fig. 20 is a plan view schematic diagram showing an example of a radio wave lens according to embodiment 4 of the present invention. Fig. 21 is a plan view schematic diagram showing an example of an enlarged state of a first region of the wiring pattern shown in Fig. 20. Fig. 22 is a plan view schematic diagram showing an example of an enlarged state of a second region of the wiring pattern shown in Fig. 20.

[0122] In the electromagnetic lens 4 shown in FIG. 20, in the wiring pattern 44, first regions 44a and second regions 44b are alternately arranged in a concentric pattern.

[0123] At the innermost portion of the wiring pattern 44, a first region 44a is disposed.

[0124] 21, in the first region 44a, the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1 are separated from each other, and the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the second direction D2 are connected to each other. As a result, in the first region 44a, of the incident radio waves, polarized waves oscillating in the first direction D1 are transmitted, and polarized waves oscillating in the second direction D2 are reflected.

[0125] 22, in the second region 44b, the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1 are connected to each other, and the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the second direction D2 are separated from each other. As a result, in the second region 44b, of the incident radio waves, the polarized waves oscillating in the first direction D1 are reflected, and the polarized waves oscillating in the second direction D2 are transmitted.

[0126] As described above, in the wiring pattern 44, the first region 44a functions as a transmission region and the second region 44b functions as a reflection region for the polarized wave oscillating in the first direction D1 among the incident radio waves. On the other hand, in the wiring pattern 44, the first region 44a functions as a reflection region and the second region 44b functions as a transmission region for the polarized wave oscillating in the second direction D2 among the incident radio waves.

[0127] Therefore, the radio wave lens 4 independently collects polarized waves oscillating in the first direction D1 and polarized waves oscillating in the second direction D2 of the incident radio waves due to the lens effect of the wiring pattern 44. In other words, the radio wave lens 4 functions as a polarization filter that independently collects polarized waves oscillating in the first direction D1 and polarized waves oscillating in the second direction D2.

[0128] 20, 21, and 22 show a case where the first direction D1 corresponds to the horizontal direction and the second direction D2 corresponds to the vertical direction. In this case, the polarized wave oscillating in the first direction D1 corresponds to the horizontal polarized wave, and the polarized wave oscillating in the second direction D2 corresponds to the vertical polarized wave, so that the radio wave lens 4 functions as a polarized wave filter that collects the horizontally polarized wave and the vertically polarized wave independently.

[0129] 20, 21, and 22, when the first direction D1 corresponds to the vertical direction and the second direction D2 corresponds to the horizontal direction, i.e., when the polarized wave oscillating in the first direction D1 corresponds to a vertical polarized wave and the polarized wave oscillating in the second direction D2 corresponds to a horizontal polarized wave, the radio wave lens similarly functions as a polarized wave filter that independently focuses horizontally polarized waves and vertically polarized waves.

[0130] [Embodiment 5] In the radio wave lens of embodiment 5 of the present invention, unlike the radio wave lens of embodiment 1 of the present invention, the wiring pattern has bridge portions extending between corners of adjacent cells in the first and second directions, and in the first region, the corners of adjacent cells in at least the first direction are not connected via the bridge portions, while in the second region, the corners of adjacent cells in at least the first direction are connected via the bridge portions.

[0131] Fig. 23 is a plan view schematic diagram showing an example of a radio wave lens according to embodiment 5 of the present invention. Fig. 24 is a plan view schematic diagram showing an example of an enlarged state of a first region of the wiring pattern shown in Fig. 23. Fig. 25 is a plan view schematic diagram showing an example of an enlarged state of a second region of the wiring pattern shown in Fig. 23.

[0132] In the electromagnetic lens 5 shown in FIG. 23, in the wiring pattern 45, first regions 45a and second regions 45b are alternately arranged in a concentric pattern.

[0133] At the innermost portion of the wiring pattern 45, a first region 45a is disposed.

[0134] As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the wiring pattern 45 has bridge portions 50 that extend between corners of adjacent cells 30 in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2.

[0135] As shown in FIG. 24, in the first region 45a, the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in at least the first direction D1 are not connected to each other via the bridge portion 50. In the example shown in FIG. 24, in the first region 45a, the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1 are not connected to each other via the bridge portion 50, and the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the second direction D2 are not connected to each other via the bridge portion 50. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 24, the bridge portion 50 extending between the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 is interrupted in the middle. As a result, the incident radio wave is transmitted through the first region 45a.

[0136] As shown in FIG. 25, in the second region 45b, the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in at least the first direction D1 are connected to each other via the bridge portion 50. In the example shown in FIG. 25, in the second region 45b, the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1 are connected to each other via the bridge portion 50, and the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the second direction D2 are connected to each other via the bridge portion 50. In other words, in the example shown in FIG. 25, the bridge portion 50 extending between the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 is not interrupted midway. As a result, the incident radio wave is reflected in the second region 45b.

[0137] As described above, the radio wave lens 5 is configured to have a bridge portion 50 extending between the corners of adjacent cells 30 in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, which makes it easier to control the state of separation (disconnection) or connection of the corners of adjacent cells 30 when forming the wiring pattern 45.

[0138] The bridge portion 50 may extend linearly as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, may extend curvedly, or may extend in a shape that combines linear and curved shapes.

[0139] The bridge portion 50 may extend without branching as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, or may extend with branching.

[0140] It is preferable that the dimension R of the bridge portion 50 is smaller than the maximum dimension P of the cell 30. In this case, the bridge portion 50 can be regarded as substantially a point relative to the cell 30, and therefore, compared to a case in which the dimension R of the bridge portion 50 is equal to or larger than the maximum dimension P of the cell 30, it is advantageous in controlling the state of separation (disconnection) or connection between the corners of adjacent cells 30.

[0141] In this specification, the "dimension of the bridge portion" refers to the dimension in the extending direction of the bridge portion when the corners of adjacent cells are connected via the bridge portion. If the bridge portion extends without branching, it refers to the overall dimension of the bridge portion. If the bridge portion extends and branches, it refers to the dimension from the corner of the cell to the branching point of the bridge portion.

[0142] It is preferable that the dimension R of the bridge portion 50 is smaller than ¼ of the period (pitch) Q of the cells 30 .

[0143] The dimension R of the bridge portion 50 is preferably 10 μm or more and 100 μm or less.

[0144] The bridge portion 50 is preferably made of the same material as the conductive traces 20 .

[0145] The bridge portion 50 may be made of a material different from that of the conductive wiring 20 .

[0146] In the radio wave lens 5, the first region 45a and the second region 45b are not limited to the combination of the examples shown in Figures 24 and 25. For example, at least one of the first region 45a and the second region 45b may have the following configuration.

[0147] The first region 45a may be different from the example shown in FIG.

[0148] FIG. 26 is a schematic plan view showing another example of an enlarged state of the first region of the wiring pattern shown in FIG.

[0149] 26, in the first region 45a, the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1 are not connected to each other via the bridge portion 50, and the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the second direction D2 are connected to each other via the bridge portion 50. As a result, in the first region 45a shown in FIG 26, of the incident radio waves, polarized waves oscillating in the first direction D1 are transmitted, and polarized waves oscillating in the second direction D2 are reflected.

[0150] In Fig. 26, the first direction D1 corresponds to the horizontal direction, and the second direction D2 corresponds to the vertical direction. In this case, the polarized wave oscillating in the first direction D1 corresponds to the horizontal polarized wave, and the polarized wave oscillating in the second direction D2 corresponds to the vertical polarized wave. Therefore, in the first region 45a shown in Fig. 26, the horizontal polarized wave is transmitted and the vertical polarized wave is reflected among the incident radio waves.

[0151] The first direction D1 and the second direction D2 may be interchanged with respect to Fig. 26. Specifically, this is as follows.

[0152] FIG. 27 is a schematic plan view showing yet another example of an enlarged state of the first region of the wiring pattern shown in FIG.

[0153] 27, in the first region 45a, the corners of the cells 30 adjacent in the first direction D1 are not connected to each other via the bridge portion 50, and the corners of the cells 30 adjacent in the second direction D2 are connected to each other via the bridge portion 50. As a result, in the first region 45a shown in FIG 27, of the incident radio waves, vertically polarized waves are transmitted and horizontally polarized waves are reflected.

[0154] The second region 45b may be different from the example shown in FIG.

[0155] For example, in the second region 45b, the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1 may be connected via the bridge portion 50, and the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the second direction D2 may not be connected via the bridge portion 50. In this case, in the second region 45b, of the incident radio waves, polarized waves oscillating in the first direction D1 are reflected, and polarized waves oscillating in the second direction D2 are transmitted.

[0156] In the above-mentioned example different from Figure 25, when the first direction D1 corresponds to the horizontal direction and the second direction D2 corresponds to the vertical direction, i.e., when the polarization oscillating in the first direction D1 corresponds to a horizontal polarization and the polarization oscillating in the second direction D2 corresponds to a vertical polarization, in the second region 45b, of the incident radio waves, the horizontal polarization is reflected and the vertical polarization is transmitted.

[0157] 25, the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 may be interchanged. In this case, in the second region 45b, of the incident radio waves, vertically polarized waves are reflected and horizontally polarized waves are transmitted.

[0158] In the above, a configuration in which the bridge portion 50 is present in the wiring pattern and the planar shape of the cell 30 is substantially rectangular (substantially diamond) has been shown, but the planar shape of the cell 30 may be other shapes. Below, a configuration in which the bridge portion 50 is present in the wiring pattern and the planar shape of the cell 30 is substantially triangular will be shown.

[0159] Fig. 28 is a plan view schematic diagram showing another example of the radio wave lens according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 29 is a plan view schematic diagram showing an example of an enlarged state of a first region of the wiring pattern shown in Fig. 28. Fig. 30 is a plan view schematic diagram showing an example of an enlarged state of a second region of the wiring pattern shown in Fig. 28.

[0160] In a radio wave lens 5' shown in FIG. 28, in a wiring pattern 45', first regions 45a' and second regions 45b' are alternately arranged in a concentric pattern.

[0161] A first region 45a' is disposed on the innermost side of the wiring pattern 45'.

[0162] As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the wiring pattern 45' has bridge portions 50 that extend between corners of adjacent cells 30 in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2.

[0163] 29, in the first region 45a', the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1 are not connected to each other via the bridge portion 50, and the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the second direction D2 are not connected to each other via the bridge portion 50. As a result, the first region 45a' transmits the incident radio wave.

[0164] 30, in the second region 45b', the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1 are connected to each other via the bridge portion 50, and the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the second direction D2 are connected to each other via the bridge portion 50. As a result, the second region 45b' reflects the incident radio wave.

[0165] In the radio wave lens 5', the first region 45a' and the second region 45b' are not limited to the combination of the examples shown in Figures 29 and 30. For example, at least one of the first region 45a' and the second region 45b' may have the following configuration.

[0166] The first region 45a' may be different from the example shown in FIG.

[0167] FIG. 31 is a schematic plan view showing another example of an enlarged state of the first region of the wiring pattern shown in FIG.

[0168] 31, in the first region 45a', the corners of the cells 30 adjacent in the first direction D1 are not connected to each other via the bridge portion 50, and the corners of the cells 30 adjacent in the second direction D2 are connected to each other via the bridge portion 50. As a result, in the first region 45a' shown in FIG 31, of the incident radio waves, polarized waves oscillating in the first direction D1 are transmitted, and polarized waves oscillating in the second direction D2 are reflected.

[0169] The first direction D1 and the second direction D2 may be interchanged with respect to Fig. 31. More specifically, this is as follows.

[0170] FIG. 32 is a schematic plan view showing yet another example of an enlarged state of the first region of the wiring pattern shown in FIG.

[0171] 32, in the first region 45a', the corners of the cells 30 adjacent in the first direction D1 are not connected to each other via the bridge portion 50, and the corners of the cells 30 adjacent in the second direction D2 are connected to each other via the bridge portion 50. As a result, in the first region 45a' shown in FIG 32, of the incident radio waves, polarized waves oscillating in the first direction D1 are transmitted, and polarized waves oscillating in the second direction D2 are reflected.

[0172] The second region 45b' may be different from the example shown in FIG.

[0173] For example, in the second region 45b', the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1 may be connected via the bridge portion 50, and the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the second direction D2 may not be connected via the bridge portion 50. In this case, in the second region 45b', of the incident radio waves, polarized waves oscillating in the first direction D1 are reflected, and polarized waves oscillating in the second direction D2 are transmitted.

[0174] 30, the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 may be interchanged. In this case, the second region 45b' reflects polarized waves oscillating in the first direction D1 of the incident radio waves, and transmits polarized waves oscillating in the second direction D2.

[0175] [Embodiment 6] The radio wave lens of the sixth embodiment of the present invention is different from the radio wave lens of the first embodiment of the present invention in that a second region is disposed on the innermost side of the wiring pattern.

[0176] Fig. 33 is a plan view schematic diagram showing an example of a radio wave lens according to embodiment 6 of the present invention. Fig. 34 is a plan view schematic diagram showing an example of an enlarged state of a first region of the wiring pattern shown in Fig. 33. Fig. 35 is a plan view schematic diagram showing an example of an enlarged state of a second region of the wiring pattern shown in Fig. 33.

[0177] In the electromagnetic lens 6 shown in FIG. 33, in the wiring pattern 46, first regions 46a and second regions 46b are alternately arranged in a concentric pattern.

[0178] At the innermost portion of the wiring pattern 46, a second region 46b is disposed.

[0179] 34, in the first region 46a, the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1 are separated from each other, and the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the second direction D2 are separated from each other. This allows the incident radio wave to pass through the first region 46a.

[0180] 35, in the second region 46b, the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1 are connected to each other, and the corners of the cells 30 adjacent to each other in the second direction D2 are connected to each other. As a result, the second region 46b reflects the incident radio wave.

[0181] As described above, in the wiring pattern 46, the first region 46a functions as a transmissive region and the second region 46b functions as a reflective region with respect to the incident radio wave.

[0182] Therefore, the radio wave lens 6 focuses, on the incident side, the radio waves reflected by the second region 46b out of the incident radio waves, due to the lens effect of the wiring pattern 46. In other words, the radio wave lens 6 functions as a reflective Fresnel zone plate that focuses, on the incident side, the radio waves reflected by the second region 46b out of the incident radio waves.

[0183] The radio wave lens 6 has a configuration in which the arrangement of the first region and the second region is interchanged with respect to the radio wave lens 1 (see FIG. 1, etc.). Note that, for example, the arrangement of the first region and the second region may be interchanged with respect to each of the radio wave lens 2 (see FIG. 11, etc.), the radio wave lens 2' (see FIG. 14, etc.), the radio wave lens 3 (see FIG. 17, etc.), the radio wave lens 4 (see FIG. 20, etc.), the radio wave lens 5 (see FIG. 23, etc.), and the radio wave lens 5' (see FIG. 28, etc.).

[0184] [Embodiment 7] The radio wave lens of embodiment 7 of the present invention is different from the radio wave lens of embodiment 1 of the present invention in that, in addition to the above wiring pattern, another wiring pattern is configured in which a plurality of cells are regularly arranged along the first direction and the second direction.

[0185] FIG. 36 is a plan view schematic diagram showing an example of a radio wave lens according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0186] In the radio wave lens 7 shown in FIG. 36, a wiring pattern 47 and a wiring pattern 47' are formed.

[0187] In the wiring pattern 47, the first regions 47a and the second regions 47b are arranged alternately in a concentric manner.

[0188] At the innermost portion of the wiring pattern 47, a first region 47a is disposed.

[0189] In the first region 47a, the corners of adjacent cells in the first direction D1 are separated from each other, and the corners of adjacent cells in the second direction D2 are connected to each other. As a result, in the first region 47a, of the incident radio waves, polarized waves oscillating in the first direction D1 are transmitted, and polarized waves oscillating in the second direction D2 are reflected.

[0190] In the second region 47b, the corners of adjacent cells in the first direction D1 are connected to each other, and the corners of adjacent cells in the second direction D2 are connected to each other. As a result, in the second region 47b, of the incident radio waves, both the polarized waves oscillating in the first direction D1 and the polarized waves oscillating in the second direction D2 are reflected.

[0191] Therefore, of the radio waves incident on the wiring pattern 47, the radio wave lens 7 collects only the polarized waves oscillating in the first direction D1.

[0192] In the wiring pattern 47', first regions 47a' and second regions 47b' are alternately arranged in a concentric pattern.

[0193] A first region 47a' is disposed on the innermost side of the wiring pattern 47'.

[0194] In the first region 47a', the corners of adjacent cells in the first direction D1 are connected to each other, and the corners of adjacent cells in the second direction D2 are separated from each other. As a result, in the first region 47a', of the incident radio waves, polarized waves oscillating in the first direction D1 are reflected, and polarized waves oscillating in the second direction D2 are transmitted.

[0195] In the second region 47b', the corners of adjacent cells in the first direction D1 are connected to each other, and the corners of adjacent cells in the second direction D2 are connected to each other. As a result, in the second region 47b', of the incident radio waves, both the polarized waves oscillating in the first direction D1 and the polarized waves oscillating in the second direction D2 are reflected.

[0196] Therefore, the radio wave lens 7 collects only the polarized waves oscillating in the second direction D2 out of the radio waves incident on the wiring pattern 47'.

[0197] As described above, the radio wave lens 7 focuses only the polarized waves oscillating in the first direction D1 among the radio waves incident on the wiring pattern 47, and focuses only the polarized waves oscillating in the second direction D2 among the radio waves incident on the wiring pattern 47'. This allows the radio wave lens 7 to focus the polarized waves oscillating in the first direction D1 and the polarized waves oscillating in the second direction D2 among the incident radio waves at different focusing positions (foci).

[0198] 36 shows a case where the first direction D1 corresponds to the horizontal direction and the second direction D2 corresponds to the vertical direction. In this case, the polarized wave oscillating in the first direction D1 corresponds to the horizontal polarized wave, and the polarized wave oscillating in the second direction D2 corresponds to the vertical polarized wave, so that the radio wave lens 7 can focus the horizontally polarized wave and the vertically polarized wave at different focusing positions (foci).

[0199] It is preferable that the wiring pattern 47 and the wiring pattern 47' are partially overlapped with each other. In this case, the following occurs.

[0200] In the area where the first region 47a of the wiring pattern 47 and the first region 47a' of the wiring pattern 47' overlap, both of the incident radio waves, polarized waves oscillating in the first direction D1 and polarized waves oscillating in the second direction D2, are transmitted.

[0201] In the area where the first region 47a of the wiring pattern 47 and the second region 47b' of the wiring pattern 47' overlap, of the incident radio waves, polarized waves oscillating in the first direction D1 are transmitted, and polarized waves oscillating in the second direction D2 are reflected.

[0202] In the area where the second region 47b of the wiring pattern 47 and the first region 47a' of the wiring pattern 47' overlap, of the incident radio waves, polarized waves oscillating in the first direction D1 are reflected, and polarized waves oscillating in the second direction D2 are transmitted.

[0203] In the area where the second region 47b of the wiring pattern 47 and the second region 47b' of the wiring pattern 47' overlap, both the polarized wave oscillating in the first direction D1 and the polarized wave oscillating in the second direction D2 of the incident radio waves are reflected.

[0204] The wiring pattern 47 and the wiring pattern 47' may be separated from each other.

[0205] In the radio wave lens of the above embodiment, the wiring pattern formed by the conductive wiring is shown to have the first region and the second region alternately arranged concentrically (for example, concentrically). However, as long as it exhibits a lens effect on radio waves, the first region and the second region in the wiring pattern may be alternately arranged in a non-concentric manner. EXAMPLES

[0206] Hereinafter, examples that specifically disclose the electromagnetic wave lens of the present invention will be described, however, the present invention is not limited to only the following examples.

[0207] [Example 1] The configuration of the radio wave lens 5 (see Figs. 23, 24, and 25) was adopted as a simulation model of the radio wave lens of Example 1. The specifications of the simulation model were as follows. Maximum cell dimension (diagonal dimension): 300 μm Conductive wiring area ratio to cell: 4% Distance between bridges: 3μm

[0208] Using the radio wave lens of Example 1, a simulation evaluation of the transmission and reflection characteristics for radio waves was performed under periodic boundary conditions.

[0209] FIG. 37 is a graph showing the results of a simulation evaluation of the transmission and reflection characteristics of radio waves for the radio wave lens of Example 1.

[0210] 37, the first region of the radio wave lens of Example 1 had a transmittance of nearly 0 dB for radio waves in a frequency band of 20 GHz or more and 70 GHz or less. In other words, it was confirmed that the first region of the radio wave lens of Example 1 achieved high transmittance characteristics for radio waves in a frequency band of 20 GHz or more and 70 GHz or less, preferably for radio waves in a frequency band of 20 GHz or more and 60 GHz or less.

[0211] 37, in the second region of the radio wave lens of Example 1, the transmittance for radio waves in the frequency band of 20 GHz or more and 70 GHz or less was -15 dB or less. In other words, it was confirmed that the second region of the radio wave lens of Example 1 realizes high reflection characteristics for radio waves in the frequency band of 20 GHz or more and 70 GHz or less, preferably for radio waves in the frequency band of 20 GHz or more and 60 GHz or less.

[0212] From the above, it was confirmed that the radio wave lens of Example 1 can operate in a wide band of 20 GHz or more and 70 GHz or less, and preferably 20 GHz or more and 60 GHz or less.

[0213] The present specification discloses the following:

[0214] <1> A light-transmitting substrate; A conductive wiring provided on one main surface of the light-transmitting substrate, When viewed from a thickness direction of the light-transmitting substrate, the conductive wiring forms a wiring pattern in which a plurality of cells, at least the peripheral edges of which are located, are regularly arranged along a first direction and a second direction that intersect with each other, The radio wave lens is characterized in that the wiring pattern alternates between first regions in which corners of the cells adjacent at least in the first direction are separated and second regions in which corners of the cells adjacent at least in the first direction are connected.

[0215] <2> In the wiring pattern, the first region and the second region are alternately arranged concentrically. <1> The radio wave lens described in

[0216] <3> The first region is disposed on the innermost side of the wiring pattern. <2> The radio wave lens described in

[0217] <4> The second region is disposed on the innermost side of the wiring pattern. <2> The radio wave lens described in

[0218] <5> In the first region, corners of the cells adjacent to each other in the first direction are separated from each other, and corners of the cells adjacent to each other in the second direction are separated from each other. <1> ~ <4> 13. A radio wave lens according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

[0219] <6> In the second region, corners of the cells adjacent to each other in the first direction are connected to each other, and corners of the cells adjacent to each other in the second direction are connected to each other. <5> The radio wave lens described in

[0220] <7> In the second region, corners of the cells adjacent to each other in the first direction are connected to each other, and corners of the cells adjacent to each other in the second direction are separated from each other. <5> The radio wave lens described in

[0221] <8> In the first region, corners of the cells adjacent to each other in the first direction are separated from each other, and corners of the cells adjacent to each other in the second direction are connected to each other. <1> ~ <4> 13. A radio wave lens according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

[0222] <9> In the second region, corners of the cells adjacent to each other in the first direction are connected to each other, and corners of the cells adjacent to each other in the second direction are connected to each other. <8> The radio wave lens described in

[0223] <10> In the second region, corners of the cells adjacent to each other in the first direction are connected to each other, and corners of the cells adjacent to each other in the second direction are separated from each other. <8> The radio wave lens described in

[0224] <11> the wiring pattern includes a bridge portion extending between corners of the cells adjacent to each other in the first direction and the second direction; In the first region, at least corners of the cells adjacent to each other in the first direction are not connected to each other via the bridge portion, In the second region, corners of the cells adjacent to each other in at least the first direction are connected to each other via the bridge portion. <1> ~ <10> 13. A radio wave lens according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

[0225] <12> At least one of the cells is filled with the same material as the conductive wiring, except for a peripheral edge of the cell. <1> ~ <11> 13. A radio wave lens according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

[0226] <13> The light-transmitting substrate is a glass substrate. <1> ~ <12> 13. A radio wave lens according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

[0227] <14> The conductive wiring is a metal wiring. <1> ~ <13> 13. A radio wave lens according to any one of claims 1 to 12. [Explanation of symbols]

[0228] 1, 2, 2', 3, 4, 5, 5', 6, 7 Radio lens 10 Translucent substrate 20 Conductive wiring 30 cells 41, 42, 42', 43, 44, 45, 45', 46, 47, 47' Wiring pattern 41a, 42a, 42a', 43a, 44a, 45a, 45a', 46a, 47a, 47a' 1st area 41b, 42b, 42b', 43b, 44b, 45b, 45b', 46b, 47b, 47b' Second area 50 Bridge section D1 1st direction D2 2nd direction P Maximum cell size Q Cell period (pitch) R Bridge section dimensions W Width of the conductive trace

Claims

1. A light-transmitting substrate; A conductive wiring provided on one main surface of the light-transmitting substrate, When viewed from a thickness direction of the light-transmitting substrate, the conductive wiring forms a wiring pattern in which a plurality of cells, each having the conductive wiring at least on its periphery, are regularly arranged along a first direction and a second direction that intersect with each other, a first region in which corners of the cells adjacent at least in the first direction are separated from each other and a second region in which corners of the cells adjacent at least in the first direction are connected to each other are alternately arranged in the wiring pattern.

2. The electromagnetic wave lens according to claim 1 , wherein in the wiring pattern, the first regions and the second regions are concentrically and alternately arranged.

3. The radio wave lens according to claim 2 , wherein the first region is disposed on the innermost side of the wiring pattern.

4. The radio wave lens according to claim 2 , wherein the second region is disposed on the innermost side of the wiring pattern.

5. 5. The radio wave lens according to claim 1, wherein in the first region, corners of the cells adjacent to each other in the first direction are separated from each other, and corners of the cells adjacent to each other in the second direction are separated from each other.

6. The radio wave lens according to claim 5 , wherein in the second region, corners of the cells adjacent to each other in the first direction are connected to each other, and corners of the cells adjacent to each other in the second direction are connected to each other.

7. The radio wave lens according to claim 5 , wherein in the second region, corners of the cells adjacent to each other in the first direction are connected to each other, and corners of the cells adjacent to each other in the second direction are separated from each other.

8. 5. The radio wave lens according to claim 1, wherein in the first region, corners of the cells adjacent to each other in the first direction are separated from each other, and corners of the cells adjacent to each other in the second direction are connected to each other.

9. The radio wave lens according to claim 8 , wherein in the second region, corners of the cells adjacent to each other in the first direction are connected to each other, and corners of the cells adjacent to each other in the second direction are connected to each other.

10. The radio wave lens according to claim 8 , wherein in the second region, corners of the cells adjacent to each other in the first direction are connected to each other, and corners of the cells adjacent to each other in the second direction are separated from each other.

11. the wiring pattern has a bridge portion extending between corners of the cells adjacent to each other in the first direction and the second direction; In the first region, corners of the cells adjacent to each other in at least the first direction are not connected to each other via the bridge portion, 5. The radio wave lens according to claim 1, wherein in the second region, corners of the cells adjacent to each other in at least the first direction are connected to each other via the bridge portion.

12. 5. The radio wave lens according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the cells other than the periphery of the cell is filled with the same material as the conductive wiring.

13. 5. The radio wave lens according to claim 1, wherein the light-transmitting substrate is a glass substrate.

14. 5. The radio wave lens according to claim 1, wherein the conductive wiring is a metal wiring.

Images