Indefinite Electromagnetic Medium for Evanescent Wave Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional far-field optical systems are limited by the diffraction limit, preventing the conversion of evanescent electromagnetic waves to non-evanescent waves, which restricts resolution beyond a certain threshold, while existing methods fail to effectively overcome this limitation.
Innovation Solution
The use of an indefinite electromagnetic medium with indefinite permittivity and/or permeability, characterized by hyperbolic dispersion relations, allows for the conversion of evanescent waves to propagating waves and vice versa, enabling the propagation of waves with large transverse wavevectors through a layered structure with alternating materials, effectively exceeding the diffraction limit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional far-field optical systems are used, then the system is simple and well-understood, but the resolution is limited by the diffraction limit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an indefinite medium as an intermediary substance between the object and the detector. This medium has unusual electromagnetic properties (indefinite permittivity and permeability tensors) that enable it to convert evanescent waves to propagating waves, thereby transmitting sub-diffraction information without requiring complex near-field coupling mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electromagnetic parameters of the medium by using materials with indefinite permittivity and permeability tensors. This parameter change allows the medium to support hyperbolic dispersion relations that convert evanescent waves (with imaginary wavevector components) to propagating waves (with real wavevector components), thereby breaking the diffraction limit.
2Measurement precision
If evanescent waves are converted to propagating waves, then the resolution exceeds the diffraction limit, but the conversion process is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The indefinite medium serves as a mediator that performs the wave conversion automatically as the light passes through it. The medium's unusual electromagnetic properties enable the conversion of evanescent waves to propagating waves in a single pass, eliminating the need for complex multi-step conversion processes or additional optical elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures with indefinite permittivity and permeability tensors. These composite materials are designed to satisfy specific dispersion relations that enable evanescent wave conversion. The composite nature of these materials allows for tailored electromagnetic responses that facilitate the wave conversion process.
3Productivity
If evanescent waves are converted to propagating waves, then data transfer rates increase, but the medium properties become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electromagnetic parameters of the medium by using materials with indefinite permittivity and permeability tensors. This parameter change allows the medium to support hyperbolic dispersion relations that convert evanescent waves (with imaginary wavevector components) to propagating waves (with real wavevector components), thereby breaking the diffraction limit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures with indefinite permittivity and permeability tensors. These composite materials are designed to satisfy specific dispersion relations that enable evanescent wave conversion. The composite nature of these materials allows for tailored electromagnetic responses that facilitate the wave conversion process.
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 the conversion of evanescent waves to non-evanescent waves, enhancing resolution beyond the conventional diffraction limit by supporting propagating waves with large transverse wavevectors, thereby improving imaging capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
conversion of evanescent electromagnetic waves to non-evanescent electromagnetic waves and/or conversion of non-evanescent electromagnetic waves to evanescent electromagnetic waves
Implementation Method 2
enabling the propagation of electromagnetic waves with larger transverse wavevectors through the application of hyperbolic dispersion relations
Implementation Method 3
electromagnetic responses that include electromagnetic near-field lensing and/or conversion of evanescent electromagnetic waves to non-evanescent electromagnetic waves
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus, methods, and systems provide conversion of evanescent electromagnetic waves to non-evanescent electromagnetic waves and/or conversion of non-evanescent electromagnetic waves to evanescent electromagnetic waves. In some approaches the conversion includes propagation of electromagnetic waves within an indefinite electromagnetic medium, and the indefinite medium may include an artificially-structured material such as a layered structure or other metamaterial.