Depressed Anode Plasmon Resonator for High-Frequency Energy Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in efficiently coupling high-frequency electromagnetic radiation into ultra-small resonant structures due to high electrical resistance, limiting their commercial viability and ability to operate at frequencies above the visible spectrum.
Innovation Solution
The use of Plasmon-enabled devices that couple energy from an electron beam into ultra-small resonant structures through a transmission line made of conductive materials like gold, silver, or copper, where the electron beam is modulated to stimulate Plasmons, which carry and transmit the signal, and the energy is then coupled off the device as a modulated electromagnetic wave.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional resonant structures are used to generate high-frequency electromagnetic radiation, then the device size can be reduced for higher frequencies, but the electrical resistance increases and Q factor decreases, limiting commercial viability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specialized transmission line structure with intermediate coupling elements that mediate between the electron beam and the resonant structure. This intermediary coupling mechanism reduces direct resistive losses while maintaining efficient energy transfer, enabling high-frequency operation with improved Q factor and reduced electrical resistance compared to direct coupling methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies key parameters including using depressed anodes to control electron beam energy distribution, adjusting the transmission line impedance characteristics, and optimizing the geometric parameters of the resonant structure. These parameter changes enable the system to achieve low electrical resistance and high Q factor at frequencies above the visible spectrum
2Speed
If traditional resonant structures are used for high-frequency operation, then device size is reduced, but manufacturing complexity and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the device into distinct modular segments: a cathode section, a depressed anode section, a transmission line section, and a resonant structure section. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized and manufactured separately using standard techniques, then assembled into a complete high-frequency device, thereby reducing overall manufacturing difficulty despite the high operating frequency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from planar two-dimensional structures to three-dimensional configurations, particularly in the depressed anode region and the spatial arrangement of the transmission line. This dimensional change enables new coupling mechanisms and field distributions that facilitate high-frequency operation while maintaining manufacturability through established three-dimensional fabrication techniques
3Speed
If electron beam energy is increased to achieve higher frequencies, then radiation frequency increases, but energy loss and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The depressed anode acts as an intermediary energy management element between the electron beam source and the resonant structure. It selectively extracts and directs specific energy components from the electron beam, enabling high-frequency radiation generation while minimizing wasted energy and reducing heat generation in non-productive paths
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements energy recovery mechanisms where the depressed anode collects and redirects electron beam energy that would otherwise be lost. This recovered energy is channeled into the transmission line and resonant structure, improving overall energy efficiency and reducing total energy loss while maintaining high radiation frequency
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
This approach enables efficient coupling and transmission of high-speed signals at frequencies up to several petahertz, overcoming the limitations of traditional resonant structures by reducing electrical resistance and allowing for commercially viable operation at high frequencies.
Implementation Method 1
Plasmon-enabled devices that couple energy from an electron beam into ultra-small resonant structures
Implementation Method 2
Electromagnetic radiation is produced by the motion of electrically charged particles. Oscillating electrons produce electromagnetic radiation commensurate in frequency with the frequency of the oscillations.
Implementation Method 3
Existing technologies face challenges in efficiently coupling high-frequency electromagnetic radiation into ultra-small resonant structures due to high electrical resistance
Implementation Method 4
Electromagnetic radiation is essentially energy transmitted through space or through a material medium in the form of electromagnetic waves
Data Source
AI summary
Plasmon-enable devices such as ultra-small resonant devices produce electromagnetic radiation at frequencies in excess of microwave frequencies when induced to resonate by a passing electron beam. The resonant devices are surrounded by one or more depressed anodes to recover energy from the passing electron beam as/after the beam couples its energy into the ultra-small resonant devices.