Waveguide Element Impedance Matching Terahertz Radiation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current terahertz waveguide systems face issues with edge reflection and beam divergence due to impedance mismatch between waveguides and antennas, leading to instability and inefficient electromagnetic wave handling.

Innovation Solution

A waveguide element with a resonance antenna and an impedance matching portion, featuring a first and second conductor layer with negative dielectric constants, is designed to match the impedance between the waveguide and the antenna, allowing for efficient coupling and improved radiation efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a horn antenna is integrated to improve extraction efficiency and directivity, then electromagnetic wave handling is improved, but physical and mechanical stability deteriorates and frequency stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction efficiencyVSAvoidfrequency stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

An impedance matching portion is introduced as an intermediary component between the waveguide and the resonance antenna. This matching portion comprises a conductor layer and a dielectric layer that together transform the impedance from the waveguide to the antenna, enabling efficient coupling while maintaining system stability. The intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by providing both electrical matching and mechanical stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If a silicon lens is disposed at the end of the waveguide to improve extraction efficiency and directivity, then electromagnetic wave handling is improved, but physical and mechanical stability deteriorates and structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction efficiencyVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The impedance matching portion is merged with the resonance antenna structure, where the conductor layer of the matching portion is integrated with the antenna elements. This merging eliminates the need for separate lens components and reduces overall structural complexity while maintaining extraction efficiency through the unified design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If the waveguide structure is simplified to improve mechanical stability, then ease of manufacture is improved, but impedance mismatch between waveguide and antenna worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidimpedance mismatch

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The impedance matching portion serves as a mediator that bridges the impedance gap between the simple waveguide structure and the resonance antenna. The matching portion's conductor and dielectric layers are designed with specific dimensions and materials to achieve impedance transformation, allowing the waveguide to maintain mechanical simplicity while eliminating harmful impedance mismatch effects.

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 solution enhances radiation efficiency and directivity of electromagnetic waves, stabilizes frequency handling, and improves mechanical stability by reducing impedance mismatch, enabling efficient use and handling of terahertz waves.

Implementation Method 1

a first conductor layer and a second conductor layer each having a negative dielectric constant real part for the electromagnetic wave

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNegative dielectric constant: Negative Index Metamaterials

Implementation Method 2

the core layer has one of a gain of the electromagnetic wave and nonlinearity of carriers for the electromagnetic wave

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave gain: Maser

Implementation Method 3

the core layer has one of a gain of the electromagnetic wave and nonlinearity of carriers for the electromagnetic wave

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNonlinearity of carriers:

Implementation Method 4

an impedance matching portion for matching an impedance of the waveguide with an impedance of the resonance antenna so as to couple the waveguide to the resonance antenna

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpedance matching:

Implementation Method 5

a resonance antenna for radiating or receiving the electromagnetic wave, the resonance antenna being arranged at a part of the waveguide for radiating or receiving the electromagnetic wave

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS9391428B2Waveguide element

Publication Date: 2016.07.12 CANON KK

AI summary

Provided is a waveguide element, including: a waveguide for guiding an electromagnetic wave; a resonance antenna for radiating or receiving the electromagnetic wave, the resonance antenna being arranged at a part of the waveguide for radiating or receiving the electromagnetic wave; and an impedance matching portion for matching an impedance of the waveguide with an impedance of the resonance antenna so as to couple the waveguide to the resonance antenna. The waveguide includes: a first conductor layer and a second conductor layer each having a negative dielectric constant real part for the electromagnetic wave; and a core layer arranged between the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer. The core layer has one of a gain of the electromagnetic wave and nonlinearity of carriers for the electromagnetic wave.