2D Electromagnetic Wave Absorbing Material Using Periodic Conductor Discs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electromagnetic wave absorbing/radiating materials face challenges in achieving high wavelength selectivity and efficiency due to their complex three-dimensional structures, which are costly and difficult to manufacture, and they often use precious metals with poor heat resistance, limiting their applicability and scalability.
Innovation Solution
A two-dimensional electromagnetic wave absorbing/radiating material is developed, featuring a conductor with an array of conductor discs or a perforated conductor layer on a dielectric surface, using light metals and heat-resistant materials, manufactured through methods like colloidal lithography, enabling efficient absorption and radiation with improved mechanical strength and heat resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a three-dimensional cavity structure is used to achieve electromagnetic wave absorption, then absorption efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a three-dimensional cavity structure to a two-dimensional surface structure with periodic patterns. This dimensional reduction simplifies manufacturing while maintaining electromagnetic wave absorption functionality through surface plasmon resonance and diffraction effects in the planar geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous conductor surface is segmented into periodic patterns such as holes, grooves, or raised structures. This segmentation creates multiple resonant elements that collectively achieve broadband absorption without requiring deep three-dimensional cavities, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If top-down processing methods like focused ion beam or electron beam lithography are used to manufacture cavity structures, then manufacturing precision is improved, but production cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses photolithography to create periodic patterns that can be replicated across large areas. This copying approach allows mass production of precision patterns without the need for slow, sequential focused ion beam or electron beam processing, significantly improving productivity while maintaining adequate manufacturing precision.
3Ease of manufacture
If vapor deposition methods like sputter deposition are used to form metal layers, then ease of manufacture is improved, but manufacturing precision of depth and surface shape deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces three-dimensional cavity depth control with two-dimensional pattern geometry control. Since vapor deposition excels at forming uniform thin films but struggles with vertical depth precision, the design uses lateral pattern dimensions (hole diameter, groove width, pitch) rather than vertical depth to control the electromagnetic response, thereby leveraging the strength of vapor deposition.
4Reliability
If precious metals like gold or silver are used in electromagnetic wave absorbing materials, then absorption efficiency is improved, but cost and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces expensive precious metals with inexpensive base metals such as aluminum, copper, or their alloys. While base metals have different optical properties, the periodic pattern structure compensates by creating resonant conditions that achieve effective absorption, thereby reducing cost and weight without sacrificing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite structures combining base metals with dielectric materials or oxide layers. This composite approach enables tuning of the electromagnetic response to achieve absorption efficiency comparable to precious metals while maintaining the cost and weight advantages of base metals.
5Weight of stationary object
If base metals like aluminum are used instead of precious metals, then cost and weight are reduced, but heat resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The conductor layer is segmented into a periodic pattern of holes, grooves, or raised structures rather than a continuous film. This segmentation reduces the total volume of heat-sensitive base metal while maintaining electromagnetic functionality, thereby improving overall heat resistance without sacrificing absorption performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite structures where base metal conductors are combined with heat-resistant dielectric materials or oxide layers. This composite approach allows the base metal to provide electromagnetic functionality while the heat-resistant materials protect against thermal degradation, enabling operation at elevated temperatures.
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 material achieves high wavelength selectivity and efficient electromagnetic wave absorption and radiation with a simple, scalable structure, capable of operating at high temperatures and suitable for various applications, including sensors and infrared sources, while reducing production costs and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a three-dimensional vertical microcavity structure or a line-and-space type resonator structure which performs treatment with respect to surfaces of precious metals or high-melting-point metals such as gold, tungsten, or nickel to cause confinement of surface plasmon in a surface vertical direction
Implementation Method 2
an electromagnetic wave absorbing/radiating material which has a simple structure and is capable of selectively and efficiently absorbing or radiating electromagnetic waves at a desired wavelength
Implementation Method 3
it can also be used as a light source of visible light or infrared light in a narrowband by being heated and the light source is operated as a visible light source or an infrared source capable of adjusting a radiation wavelength
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electromagnetic wave absorbing/radiating material which includes: a conductor; and a plurality of conductor discs disposed in an array above the surface of the conductor or a perforated conductor layer with a plurality of holes defined in an array above the surface of the conductor.