Metamaterial Waveguide Control for Polarization and Refractive Index

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional techniques for controlling electromagnetic waves using metamaterials lack sufficient controllability.

Innovation Solution

A wave control device is developed that combines a metamaterial with a magnetic material, where the magnetization direction of the magnetic material is set to induce electromagnetic and magneto-optical effects, and the metamaterial is disposed around a waveguide to enhance controllability, allowing for the manipulation of polarization states and refractive indices of electromagnetic waves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional metamaterial techniques are used for electromagnetic wave control, then the device structure can be relatively simple, but the controllability of electromagnetic waves is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrollability of electromagnetic waveVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines metamaterial and magnetic material into a single integrated wave control device. The metamaterial and magnetic material are disposed in close proximity to work together, enabling simultaneous electromagnetic effect and magneto-optical effect to achieve enhanced controllability of electromagnetic waves including polarization control and refractive index modulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite structure consisting of metamaterial and magnetic material working together. This composite approach allows the device to exhibit both electromagnetic resonance characteristics and magneto-optical effects, thereby achieving superior control over electromagnetic wave properties compared to conventional single-material approaches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If metamaterial is disposed around waveguide and provided integrally, then controllability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrollability of electromagnetic waveVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The wave control device is divided into distinct functional components: a waveguide for electromagnetic wave propagation, and separately disposed metamaterial and magnetic material components. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized and manufactured independently using appropriate techniques, then assembled into the final integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The waveguide serves as an intermediary structure that facilitates the integration of metamaterial and magnetic material. By providing a defined propagation path and interface, the waveguide enables controlled interaction between the electromagnetic wave and the functional materials, simplifying the overall manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 device improves the controllability of electromagnetic waves by enabling the simultaneous manipulation of MO and ME effects, providing enhanced control over polarization states and refractive indices.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetization direction of the magnetic material is set such that an electromagnetic effect and a magneto-optical effect occur with respect to an electromagnetic wave

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagneto-optical effect: Magneto-Optic Effects

Implementation Method 2

an electromagnetic effect and a magneto-optical effect occur with respect to an electromagnetic wave

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic effect: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20260016712A1Wave control device, wavelength conversion element, arithmetic element, sensor, polarization control element, and optical isolator

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

Provided is a wave control device capable of improving controllability of an electromagnetic wave.A wave control device according to the present technology includes a metamaterial and a magnetic material. According to the wave control device according to the present technology, a wave control device capable of improving controllability of an electromagnetic wave is provided. According to the present technology, it is possible to provide a wave control device capable of improving controllability of an electromagnetic wave.