Plasmonic Rectenna Device for Efficient Light Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rectenna devices face limitations in efficiently converting photonic energy into electrical energy due to constraints such as band gaps in photovoltaic effects, limited operating bandwidth, and significant losses associated with metallic strip-lines, particularly in the conversion of electromagnetic waves to electrical energy.
Innovation Solution
A rectenna device comprising a substrate with a first metallic layer, a rectifying element, and a second metallic layer with an array of metallic patches that couple electromagnetic waves into plasmonic waves, allowing for efficient conversion of incident light to electrical energy by determining dimensioning parameters based on operating wavelengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If photovoltaic effect is used to convert photonic energy to electrical energy, then conversion can be achieved, but efficiency is limited to around 30% due to band gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental conversion mechanism from photovoltaic effect to direct electromagnetic-to-electrical conversion using rectifying antennas, eliminating band gap limitations and enabling efficiency to exceed 30% across broader spectral ranges
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the semiconductor-based photovoltaic mechanism with a rectifying antenna system that directly converts electromagnetic waves to electrical energy, substituting one physical mechanism with another that has different performance characteristics
2Loss of energy
If lumped-element detectors with strip-lines are used in rectenna, then direct conversion can be achieved, but significant losses occur due to metallic strip-line absorption at optical frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the strip-line impedance matching network from the system, replacing it with a coplanar waveguide structure that provides inherent impedance matching without requiring additional metallic transmission lines that cause losses
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a coplanar waveguide as an intermediary structure between the rectifying diode and the antenna, which serves both as a transmission line and an impedance matching network, eliminating the need for separate strip-lines
3Adaptability or versatility
If traveling wave MIM diode is used to improve infrared bandwidth, then bandwidth is enhanced, but coupling of incident light to waveguide structure is reduced leading to lower quantum efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the diode structure from MIM (Metal-Insulator-Metal) to a different configuration that maintains both wide bandwidth and high quantum efficiency by optimizing the interaction between incident light and the rectifying element
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining antenna elements with rectifying diodes in a specific configuration that enables both broad bandwidth operation and efficient light coupling, achieving performance benefits of both approaches
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 proposed rectenna device achieves enhanced efficiency in converting photonic energy to electrical energy, surpassing traditional methods by optimizing the coupling of incident light and reducing losses, with numerical simulations and experimental measurements confirming improved energy transfer rates.
Implementation Method 1
a second metallic layer configured to collect electromagnetic waves of the incident light and to couple it into plasmonic waves within the rectenna device
Implementation Method 2
the rectifying element is configured to rectify the plasmonic waves to produce a direct current
Data Source
AI summary
A rectenna device (400) for converting incident light to electrical energy is disclosed. The rectenna device comprises a substrate (402), a first metallic layer (404) having a predefined thickness deposited on top of the substrate, a rectifying element (405) deposited on top of the first metallic layer, a second metallic layer (408) deposited on top of said rectifying element and configured to collect electromagnetic waves of the incident light and to couple it into plasmonic waves within the rectenna device, the second metallic layer comprising an array of a plurality of metallic patches (410) spaced from each other according to a predefined spacing, each metallic patch having predefined dimensions. The rectifying element is configured to rectify the plasmonic waves to produce a direct current, the plasmonic waves being generated at one or more operating wavelengths, and at least one dimensioning parameter of the rectenna device is determined from at least one operating wavelength, the at least one dimensioning parameter being chosen in a group comprising the dimensions of the plurality of metallic patches, the spacing of the metallic patches in the array, and the predefined thickness of the first metallic layer.