Ceramic Waveguide Structure for Wideband Low-Loss Signal Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current waveguide elements face challenges with large signal delay, limited frequency range, and complex, costly production methods, particularly due to the use of semiconductor processes for forming photonic crystals.
Innovation Solution
A waveguide element is designed using a ceramics material with a dielectric portion having periodically formed holes, a low-dielectric constant portion, and a support substrate, which guides electromagnetic waves with minimal delay and low propagation loss over a wide frequency range, eliminating the need for precise semiconductor processes and photonic band gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a photonic crystal is formed using semiconductor processes, then the waveguide element can guide electromagnetic waves, but the production method becomes complicated and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter from semiconductor to ceramics material, which fundamentally alters the manufacturing approach. Ceramics materials can be formed using simpler sintering processes rather than complex semiconductor fabrication, thereby reducing production complexity while maintaining waveguide functionality through periodic hole formation in the ceramics substrate
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive semiconductor processes with more economical ceramics manufacturing methods. By using ceramics materials and simpler formation processes, the production cost is significantly reduced while achieving the same waveguide effect through periodic structural formation
2Reliability
If a photonic crystal waveguide element is used, then electromagnetic wave guidance is achieved, but the frequency range is narrow
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material composition from semiconductor to ceramics material, which modifies the electromagnetic properties and allows for broader frequency operation. The ceramics material with its specific dielectric characteristics enables the waveguide to maintain low loss and effective guidance across a wider frequency spectrum compared to traditional photonic crystal designs
3Reliability
If a photonic crystal waveguide element is used, then electromagnetic wave guidance is achieved, but the signal delay is large
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter from semiconductor to ceramics material, which has different electromagnetic propagation characteristics. The ceramics material allows for faster signal propagation with reduced delay while maintaining effective electromagnetic wave guidance through the periodic hole structure
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution achieves a wideband waveguide with reduced signal delay and propagation loss, enabling efficient guidance of electromagnetic waves from millimeter to terahertz frequencies while simplifying and reducing the production costs by avoiding complex semiconductor processes.
Implementation Method 1
The waveguide element is configured to guide an electromagnetic wave having a frequency of 30 GHz or more and 20 THz or less
Implementation Method 2
a low-dielectric constant portion having a dielectric constant smaller than a dielectric constant of the dielectric portion
Data Source
AI summary
The waveguide element includes: a dielectric portion having holes periodically formed in a substrate made of a ceramics material; a low-dielectric constant portion having a dielectric constant smaller than a dielectric constant of the dielectric portion; and a support substrate arranged below the dielectric portion, the support substrate being configured to support the dielectric portion. The waveguide element is configured to guide an electromagnetic wave having a frequency of 30 GHz or more and 20 THz or less, and a frequency range of the electromagnetic wave in which an absolute value of a propagation loss becomes 1 dB/cm or less is 50 GHz or more.