Electromagnetic wave concentration

A device for concentrating an electromagnetic wave includes a waveguide array that includes a central waveguide having a first refractive index and a central axis and feeder waveguides disposed around the central waveguide. Each feeder waveguide has a second refractive index. The waveguide array also includes a support structure coupled to the waveguide arrays and configured to, in a deployed configuration, retain the feeder waveguides of the waveguide array in a substantially symmetric arrangement with respect to the central waveguide to enable concentration of an electromagnetic wave of a particular wavelength in the central waveguide via electromagnetic coupling of the central waveguide with each of the feeder waveguides, with the respective axis of each feeder waveguide oriented substantially parallel to the central axis of the central waveguide and with each feeder waveguide spaced apart from the central waveguide by a distance that is based on the particular wavelength.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is generally related to concentrating electromagnetic waves.

BACKGROUND

Electromagnetic waves are nearly ubiquitous in modern technology. To illustrate, electromagnetic waves are used in aeronautical and military radar systems, cellular telephone systems, satellite communications, space telemetry, weather radar, and automobile anti-collision systems, as non-limiting examples. Various mechanisms are used to focus or otherwise control electromechanical waves, such as traditional lenses, Fresnel lenses, parabolic reflectors, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), diffraction gratings, and metamaterial lenses, as illustrative examples. However, such devices can be relatively inefficient, expensive, and heavy, which limits their utility for applications such as military and satellite communication systems.

SUMMARY

In a particular implementation, a device for concentrating an electromagnetic wave includes one or more waveguide arrays. A particular waveguide array of the one or more waveguide arrays includes a central waveguide having a first refractive index and a central axis and a plurality of feeder waveguides disposed around the central waveguide. Each feeder waveguide has a second refractive index and an input end, and each feeder waveguide extends a length along a respective axis from the input end. The device includes a support structure coupled to the one or more waveguide arrays and configured to, in a deployed configuration, retain the plurality of feeder waveguides of the particular waveguide array in a substantially symmetric arrangement with respect to the central waveguide to enable concentration of an electromagnetic wave of a particular wavelength in the central waveguide via electromagnetic coupling of the central waveguide with each of the feeder waveguides, with the respective axis of each feeder waveguide oriented substantially parallel to the central axis of the central waveguide and with each feeder waveguide spaced apart from the central waveguide by a distance that is based on the particular wavelength.

In another particular implementation, a composition of matter for concentrating an electromagnetic wave includes a rigid substrate having a substrate refractive index and a plurality of waveguide regions at least partially embedded within the rigid substrate. A first set of the plurality of waveguide regions includes a central waveguide region having a first refractive index and a central axis and a plurality of feeder waveguide regions in a substantially symmetric arrangement with respect to the central waveguide region. Each feeder waveguide region has a second refractive index and extends in a direction parallel to the central axis from an input end, and each feeder waveguide region is spaced apart from the central waveguide region by a distance that is based on a wavelength of the electromagnetic wave. The substrate refractive index is less than the first refractive index and is less than the second refractive index.

In another particular implementation, a method includes receiving an electromagnetic wave at an input of a waveguide array. The waveguide array includes a central waveguide having a first refractive index and a central axis and a plurality of feeder waveguides in a substantially symmetric arrangement with respect to the central waveguide. Each feeder waveguide has a second refractive index and extends in a direction parallel to the central axis, and each feeder waveguide is spaced apart from the central waveguide by a distance that is based on a wavelength of the electromagnetic wave. The method includes concentrating power of the electromagnetic wave by each of the feeder waveguides, coupling the concentrated power from the feeder waveguides to the central waveguide via electromagnetic coupling, and outputting coupled concentrated power from the central waveguide via an output of the waveguide array.

The features, functions, and advantages described herein can be achieved independently in various implementations or may be combined in yet other implementations, further details of which can be found with reference to the following description and drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects disclosed herein present systems and methods for concentrating power of an electromagnetic wave using an electromagnetic coupling “lens.” Conventional lensing devices can be relatively inefficient, expensive, heavy, or a combination thereof, which limits the utility of such conventional devices for applications such as military and satellite communication systems.

As described herein, an electromagnetic coupling lens is configured to focus electromagnetic waves using one or more array of waveguides, including a central waveguide surrounded by substantially identical “feeder” waveguides spaced apart from the central waveguide, to concentrate power by coherently combining waves into a single waveguide. As an illustrative, non-limiting example, each waveguide can be an Alumina cylinder or rod having a diameter of approximately 1 millimeter (mm) and a length of approximately 135 mm, with a relative permittivity εr=9.8 and a refractive index n=3.13, and the feeder rods can be spaced 10 mm from the central rod, for focusing an electromagnetic wave with frequency f=30 gigahertz (GHz) and wavelength in a vacuum A0=10 mm.

The array of waveguides exhibits free-space coupling of the electromagnetic wave into the rods and concentration of the power of the electromagnetic wave into the central rod. As an example, in the arrangement described above in which the central rod is surrounded by eight feeder rods, the concentrated power output by the central rod is approximately five times the measurable power in each feeder rod.

In some implementations, the outputs of the central rods of multiple adjacent arrays of waveguides are combined for additional power concentration. In an example in which two waveguide arrays are used, the combined concentrated power output is approximately ten times the power in each feeder rod. Configurations with more than two waveguide arrays can be used to provide additional power concentration.

In some implementations, the electromagnetic coupling lens is “visible” or “opaque,” e.g., strongly interacts with, electromagnetic waves of particular wavelengths and is almost “invisible” or “transparent,” e.g., almost unaffected by, electromagnetic waves of other wavelengths. In the example described above, electromagnetic waves with wavelength of 10 mm are concentrated by the electromagnetic coupling lens, but electromagnetic waves with wavelength of 3 mm pass through with little to no interaction with the electromagnetic coupling lens.

The one or more arrays of waveguides of the electromagnetic coupling lens can be supported by various types of structures. In some implementations, the electromagnetic coupling lens is encased in an aerogel (e.g., a synthetic porous ultralight material), such as a silica aerogel. In other implementations, the supporting structure has a compact, expandable, and lightweight design that is particularly suitable for satellite communications. Because coupling strength, or degree of concentration, is dependent on rod spacing, use of supporting structures that enable the waveguide arrays to be expanded or collapsed enables tuning of the electromagnetic coupling lens. In one implementation, the waveguides are fixed to an inner surface of a balloon or bag that can be inflated using a gas to adjust the size of the electromagnetic coupling lens.

Adjusting the various design parameters of the electromagnetic coupling lens enables selection of particular wavelengths, such as radiofrequency waves or optical waves. To illustrate, the set of parameters including central-to-feeder waveguide distance c=10 mm, waveguide diameter d=1 mm, waveguide length L=135 mm, and refractive index n=3.13, results in an electromagnetic coupling lens tuned to concentrate a radiofrequency wave with frequency f=30 GHz and wavelength in a vacuum λo=10 mm, while the set of parameters c=1.50 micrometers (μm), d=0.15 L=20.3 μm, and n=3.13 results in an electromagnetic coupling lens tuned to concentrate an optical wave with f=200 terahertz (THz) and λo=1.5 μm.

Thus, according to various implementations, the electromagnetic coupling lens can be compact and lightweight for transport, expandable for deployment, tunable, nearly invisible to some electromagnetic waves (e.g., narrow band), and scalable across a wide range of electromagnetic wavelengths.

The figures and the following description illustrate specific exemplary embodiments. It will be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles described herein and are included within the scope of the claims that follow this description. Furthermore, any examples illustrated in the figures and described herein are intended to aid in understanding the principles of the disclosure and are to be construed as being without limitation. To illustrate, the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and may simplify or omit one or more components for purposes of clarity and ease of explanation. As a result, this disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments or examples described below, but by the claims and their equivalents.

Particular implementations are described herein with reference to the drawings. In the description, common features are designated by common reference numbers throughout the drawings. In some drawings, multiple instances of a particular type of feature are used. Although these features are physically and/or logically distinct, the same reference number is used for each, and the different instances are distinguished by addition of a letter to the reference number. When the features as a group or a type are referred to herein (e.g., when no particular one of the features is being referenced), the reference number is used without a distinguishing letter. However, when one particular feature of multiple features of the same type is referred to herein, the reference number is used with the distinguishing letter. For example, referring toFIG. 1, multiple feeder waveguides are illustrated and associated with reference numbers120A,120B,120C,120D,120E, and120F. When referring to a particular one of these feeder waveguides, such as a feeder waveguide120A, the distinguishing letter “A” is used. However, when referring to any arbitrary one of these feeder waveguides or to these feeder waveguides as a group, the reference number120is used without a distinguishing letter. Similarly, this applies to other references, including:102,104,110,112,122,124,126,130, and202.

As used herein, various terminology is used for the purpose of describing particular implementations only and is not intended to be limiting. For example, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Further, the terms “comprise,” “comprises,” and “comprising” are used interchangeably with “include,” “includes,” or “including.” Additionally, the term “wherein” is used interchangeably with the term “where.” As used herein, “exemplary” indicates an example, an implementation, and/or an aspect, and should not be construed as limiting or as indicating a preference or a preferred implementation. As used herein, an ordinal term (e.g., “first,” “second,” “third,” etc.) used to modify an element, such as a structure, a component, an operation, etc., does not by itself indicate any priority or order of the element with respect to another element, but rather merely distinguishes the element from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term). As used herein, the term “set” refers to a grouping of one or more elements, and the term “plurality” refers to multiple elements.

As used herein, “generating,” “calculating,” “using,” “selecting,” “accessing,” and “determining” are interchangeable unless context indicates otherwise. For example, “generating,” “calculating,” or “determining,” a parameter (or a signal) can refer to actively generating, calculating, or determining the parameter (or the signal) or can refer to using, selecting, or accessing the parameter (or signal) that is already generated, such as by another component or device. As used herein, “coupled” can include “communicatively coupled,” “electrically coupled,” or “physically coupled,” and can also (or alternatively) include any combinations thereof. Two devices (or components) can be coupled (e.g., communicatively coupled, electrically coupled, or physically coupled) directly or indirectly via one or more other devices, components, wires, buses, networks (e.g., a wired network, a wireless network, or a combination thereof), etc. Two devices (or components) that are electrically coupled can be included in the same device or in different devices and can be connected via electronics, one or more connectors, or inductive coupling, as illustrative, non-limiting examples. In some implementations, two devices (or components) that are communicatively coupled, such as in electrical communication, can send and receive electrical signals (digital signals or analog signals) directly or indirectly, such as via one or more wires, buses, networks, etc. As used herein, “directly coupled” is used to describe two devices that are coupled (e.g., communicatively coupled, electrically coupled, or physically coupled) without intervening components.

FIG. 1is a diagram that illustrates a system100including a device102A configured to operate as an electromagnetic coupling “lens” by concentrating an electromagnetic wave106received at an input190of the device102A and outputting concentrated power of the electromagnetic wave106at an output192of the device102A. The device102A includes a waveguide array104A that includes a central waveguide110A and a plurality of feeder waveguides120A,120B,120C,120D,120E, and120F disposed around the central waveguide110A. The central waveguide110A has a first refractive index, and each feeder waveguide120A,120B,120C,120D,120E, and120F has a second refractive index. In some implementations, the first refractive index is substantially equal to the second refractive index.

The waveguide array104A is illustrated in a “deployed” configuration in which the feeder waveguides120A,120B,120C,120D,120E, and120F are in a substantially symmetric arrangement (e.g., a hexagonal arrangement) with respect to the central waveguide110A. A respective axis126A,126B,126C,126D,126E, and126F of each feeder waveguide120A,120B,120C,120D,120E, and120F is oriented substantially parallel to a central axis112of the central waveguide110A, and each feeder waveguide120A,120B,120C,120D,120E, and120F is spaced apart from the central waveguide110by a distance140. The substantially symmetric arrangement of the feeder waveguides120A,120B,120C,120D,120E, and120F with respect to the central waveguide110A enables concentration of the electromagnetic wave106in the central waveguide110A via electromagnetic coupling of the central waveguide110with each of the feeder waveguides120A,120B,120C,120D,120E, and120F.

Each feeder waveguide120A,120B,120C,120D,120E, and120F extends a length along a respective axis from its input end. For example, the feeder waveguide120A extends a length124A along the axis126A from an input end122A of the feeder waveguide120A, and the feeder waveguide120B extends a length124B along the axis126B from an input end122B of the feeder waveguide120B. The length124that each feeder waveguide120A,120B,120C,120D,120E, and120F extends along its respective axis126A,126B,126C,126D,126E, and126F is selected to inhibit coupling oscillation. In some implementations, the central waveguide110has a concentrator length114that is greater than the length that each feeder waveguide120A,120B,120C,120D,120E, and120F extends along its respective axis126A,126B,126C,126D,126E, and126F.

A support structure130A is coupled to the waveguide array104A and illustrated as a radial arrangement of rigid connective members. The support structure130A is configured, in the deployed configuration, to retain the feeder waveguides120A,120B,120C,120D,120E, and120F in the substantially symmetric arrangement and radially separated from the central axis112by the distance140. Other examples of support structure implementations are described with reference toFIG. 4,FIGS. 5A-5E,FIGS. 6A-6E, andFIGS. 7A and 7B.

In some implementations, the central waveguide110A and each of the plurality of feeder waveguides120A,120B,120C,120D,120E, and120F are solid cylinder waveguides formed of alumina. In other implementations, the central waveguide110A and each of the plurality of feeder waveguides120A,120B,120C,120D,120E, and120F include one or more of a dielectric material, a glass material, or a semiconductor material. In some implementations, the plurality of feeder waveguides120A,120B,120C,120D,120E, and120F together interact with the electromagnetic wave106according to an effective refractive index that is based on the second refractive index and relative positions of the feeder waveguides120A,120B,120C,120D,120E, and120F. In such implementations, the first refractive index can be substantially equal to the effective refractive index.

In some implementations, one or more physical parameters, such as the distance140, is based on a particular wavelength107(“λ1”) of the electromagnetic wave106to enable electromagnetic coupling between the central waveguide110A and the feeder waveguides120A,120B,120C,120D,120E, and120F. In some implementations, the wavelength107is in a radio frequency wavelength range, in a microwave wavelength range, in a visible wavelength range, or in a near-visible wavelength range. In some implementations, one or more physical parameters, such as the distance140, is further based on a second wavelength109(“λ2”) of a second electromagnetic wave108to enable the second electromagnetic wave to pass through the device102A without being concentrated in the central waveguide110A.

For example, various physical values can be determined to cause the waveguide array104A to interact with electromagnetic waves having some wavelengths, to pass through other electromagnetic waves having other wavelengths, or both. In one example the central-to-feeder waveguide distance140(c)=10 mm, the waveguide diameter d=1 mm, the waveguide length124(L)=135 mm, and the refractive index n=3.13, results in an electromagnetic coupling lens tuned to concentrate the electromagnetic wave106with wavelength107(λ1)=10 mm and to substantially not concentrate the second electromagnetic wave108with the second wavelength109(λ2)=3 mm. In another example, the central-to-feeder waveguide distance140(c)=1.50 μm, d=0.15 μm, L=20.3 μm, and n=3.13 results in an electromagnetic coupling lens tuned to concentrate the electromagnetic wave106with wavelength107(λ1)=1.5 μm.

Thus, the waveguide array104A can selectively concentrate power of some electromagnetic waves and pass through other electromagnetic waves, enabling the device102A to have relatively low detectability. In addition, because electromagnetic wave concentration is achieved using relatively small, lightweight, and inexpensive components, the device102A can be compact and lightweight, and therefore suitable for applications such as satellite communications.

Although the device102A is illustrated as including a single waveguide array104A, in other implementations the device102A has one or more waveguide arrays, such as two waveguide arrays, as described with reference toFIGS. 2A and 2B, seven waveguide arrays, as described with reference toFIGS. 3A and 3B, or any other number of waveguide arrays. Although the waveguide array104A is illustrated as including six feeder waveguides120, in other implementations the waveguide arrays104A has any integer number of feeder waveguides120that is greater than one. For example,FIGS. 2A and 2Billustrate an implementation in which each waveguide array has eight feeder waveguides.

FIG. 2AandFIG. 2Bare diagrams illustrating a front perspective view and a top view, respectively, of a particular implementation of a device102B that includes two waveguide arrays104B,104C to concentrate an electromagnetic wave. The waveguide array104B includes a central waveguide110B and multiple feeder waveguides, including a representative feeder waveguide120G. The waveguide array104C includes a central waveguide110C and multiple feeder waveguides, including a representative feeder waveguide120H. The central waveguide110B is coupled to the central waveguide110C via a merge structure202A that is configured to combine electromagnetic waves106concentrated by the waveguide arrays104B and104C and to provide the combined concentrated electromagnetic wave at an output292.

In some implementations, the merge structure202A comprises a waveguide, a fiber, or a coaxial cable. In an illustrative example, the merge structure202A is flexible. The symmetry of merge structure202A provides phase alignment of the electromagnetic waves output from each of the central waveguides110B and110C. For example, each branch of the merge structure202A can have the same length, or a difference in length between the branches can match an integer number of wavelengths (e.g., N*λ1, where n is any positive integer and where λ1is the wavelength107of the electromagnetic wave106). In other configurations in which the lengths of one or more of the branches of the merge structure202differ by amounts not equal to an integer multiple of the wavelength107of the electromagnetic wave106, the merge structure202can include one or more phase delay devices to phase align the electromagnetic waves, such as described with reference toFIGS. 3A and 3B.

Combining multiple waveguide arrays increases total power concentration output by the device102B. As an example, in the arrangement of the waveguide array104B in which the central waveguide110B is surrounded by eight feeder waveguides120, the concentrated power output by the central waveguide110B is approximately five times the measurable power in each feeder waveguide. By combining the outputs of both central waveguides110C, the combined concentrated power provided at the output292is approximately twice the power of each of the central waveguides110B,110C and ten times the power in each feeder waveguide120. Additional power concentration is attained in devices that include additional waveguide arrays, such as described with regard toFIGS. 3A and 3B.

FIG. 3AandFIG. 3Bare diagrams illustrating a front view and a side view, respectively, of a particular implementation of a device102C that includes multiple waveguide arrays to concentrate an electromagnetic wave.

The device102C includes seven waveguide arrays in a hexagonal configuration. The waveguide arrays are indicated by dashed circles representing array boundaries and encompassing smaller solid circles representing individual waveguides. To illustrate, a representative waveguide array104D includes multiple feeder waveguides, such as representative feeder waveguide120G, arranged around a central waveguide110D. The central waveguides of each of the waveguide arrays is coupled to respective branch of a merge structure202B via a transition device. For example, central waveguide110D is coupled to a branch of the merge structure202B via a representative transition device330. In an implementation in which the merge structure202B includes coaxial cables, the transition device330can include a mechanism for transitioning a radiofrequency signal into a coaxial signal, such as a dielectric-filled horn.

Each branch of the merge structure202B includes a phase delay device, such as a representative phase delay device332(e.g., a radiofrequency phase shifter), to phase align the electromagnetic waves concentrated by the plurality of waveguide arrays for combination at a combiner334, such as a coaxial combiner. The combined concentrated electromagnetic wave is provided at an output of the combiner334.

Although each branch of the merge structure202includes a phase delay device in the implementation illustrated inFIGS. 3A and 3B, in other implementations one or more branches of the merge structure202B do not include a phase delay device. For example, the signal in one branch of the merge structure202B can function as a reference to which the phases of the signals in each of the other branches is aligned. As explained with reference toFIGS. 2A and 2B, signals travelling in branches of the merge structure202B that have equal length or that have lengths that differ by an integer number of wavelengths are phase aligned upon reaching the combiner334.

In general, it should be understood that each implementation of the device102that includes one or more waveguide arrays104and a merge structure202can include one or more transition devices (e.g., the transition device330) to transition signals from the central waveguides110to the merge structure (e.g., coaxial or fiber optic), one or more phase delay devices (e.g., the phase delay device332) to align merging waves, and one or more combiners (e.g., the combiner334) to merge multiple waves into a single output signal.

FIG. 4AandFIG. 4Bare diagrams illustrating a front view and a side view, respectively, of a particular implementation of a device102D to concentrate an electromagnetic wave. The device102D includes seven waveguide arrays including a representative waveguide array104E that has multiple feeder waveguides, such as a representative feeder waveguide120H, arranged around a central waveguide110E. The central waveguides of each of the waveguide arrays are coupled to respective branch of a merge structure202C.

A support structure130B includes an aerogel402, such as an aerogel including silica, carbon, metal oxide, organic polymer, or chalcogens, as illustrative, non-limiting examples, to maintain the waveguide arrays in the deployed configuration and to maintain the positions of the waveguide arrays and the merge structure202C in the device102D.

FIG. 5AandFIG. 5Bare diagrams illustrating a front view and a side perspective view, respectively, of a particular implementation of a waveguide array104F in a non-deployed configuration500.FIG. 5CandFIG. 5Dare diagrams illustrating a front view and a side perspective view, respectively, of the waveguide array104F in a partially deployed configuration520.FIG. 5EandFIG. 5Fare diagrams illustrating a front view and a side perspective view, respectively, of the waveguide array104F in a deployed configuration540.

The waveguide array104F includes a central waveguide110F and multiple feeder waveguides, such as a representative feeder waveguide120I. The feeder waveguides are mechanically coupled to the central waveguide110F via a flexible support structure130C. For example, the support structure130C may include a spring-biased or tensioned component that is configurable to transition the device102E between the configurations500,520, and540.

In the non-deployed configuration500, the support structure130C is configured to enable close packing of the plurality of feeder waveguides, such as the feeder waveguide1201, and the central waveguide110F. In the non-deployed configuration500, the device102E is effectively inoperable to concentrate power of electromagnetic waves (e.g., is relatively inefficient at concentrating power of electromagnetic waves within wavelengths of interest). The support structure130C is configured to expand the waveguide array104F from the non-deployed configuration500to the partially deployed configuration520.

In the partially deployed configuration520, the device102E can operate to generate a reduced concentration of power of electromagnetic waves as compared to the deployed configuration540. From the partially deployed configuration520, the support structure130C can expand the waveguide array104F to the deployed configuration540or contract the waveguide array104F to the non-deployed configuration500. For example, from the partially deployed configuration520, the support structure130C is configured to retract the plurality of feeder waveguides toward the central waveguide110F to attain the non-deployed configuration500.

In the deployed configuration540, the feeder waveguides are spaced apart from the central waveguide110F and, in some implementations, the support structure130C is in tension to maintain the deployed configuration540. From the deployed configuration540, the support structure130C can contract the waveguide array104F to the partially deployed configuration520.

FIG. 6AandFIG. 6Bare diagrams illustrating a front view and a side perspective view, respectively, of a particular implementation of a waveguide array104G in a non-deployed configuration600.FIG. 6CandFIG. 6Dare diagrams illustrating a front view and a side perspective view, respectively, of the waveguide array104G in a partially deployed configuration620.FIG. 6EandFIG. 6Fare diagrams illustrating a front view and a side perspective view, respectively, of the waveguide array104G in a deployed configuration640.

The waveguide array104G includes a central waveguide110G and multiple feeder waveguides, such as a representative feeder waveguide120J. The feeder waveguides are mechanically coupled to the central waveguide110G via a flexible support structure130D. The support structure130D is implemented as a balloon or bag that is configured to be inflated with a fluid (such as a gas or liquid) to expand the balloon or bag, or to be deflated by removal of the fluid to contract the balloon or bag. The waveguides of the waveguide array104G are fastened to an inner surface of the balloon or bag such that the waveguide array104G deploys when the balloon or bag is inflated and is non-deployed when the balloon or bag is deflated.

In the non-deployed configuration600, the support structure130D is configured to enable close packing of the plurality of feeder waveguides, such as the feeder waveguide120J, and the central waveguide110G. In the non-deployed configuration600, the device102F is effectively inoperable to concentrate power of electromagnetic waves. The support structure130D is configured to expand the waveguide array104G from the non-deployed configuration600to the partially deployed configuration620.

In the partially deployed configuration620, the device102F can operate to generate a reduced concentration of power of electromagnetic waves as compared to the deployed configuration640. From the partially deployed configuration620, the support structure130D can expand the waveguide array104G to the deployed configuration640or retract the plurality of feeder waveguides toward the central waveguide110G to attain the non-deployed configuration600.

In the deployed configuration640, the feeder waveguides are spaced apart from the central waveguide110G and, in some implementations, the support structure130D is in tension to maintain the deployed configuration640. From the deployed configuration640, the support structure130D can contract the waveguide array104G to the partially deployed configuration620.

FIG. 7Ais a diagram illustrating a front view of another particular implementation of a device102F to concentrate an electromagnetic wave, andFIG. 7Bis a diagram illustrating a side view of the device102F.

The device102F includes a composition of matter700for concentrating an electromagnetic wave. The composition of matter700includes a rigid substrate702, such as a fused silica or glass substrate. The substrate702has a plurality of waveguide regions at least partially embedded within the substrate702. The substrate702functions as a support structure130E for the waveguide regions. The waveguide regions in the composition of matter700are arranged in a similar manner as the feeder waveguides and central waveguides ofFIGS. 3A and 3B.

InFIGS. 7A and 7B, the waveguide regions have refractive indices that are different from the substrate refractive index (i.e., the refractive index of the substrate702). In some implementations, the waveguide regions are formed of structurally modified portions of the substrate702, such as by application of a pulsed laser to modify the refractive index, as an illustrative, non-limiting example. In some implementations, the waveguide regions are formed of different material(s) than the substrate702.

In some implementations, the waveguide regions are formed of doped portions of the substrate702, such as including germanium dopants to increase the refractive index of fused silica or including fluorine dopants to decrease the refractive index of fused silica, as illustrative, non-limiting examples. In one example the substrate702includes a low refractive index material, and the waveguide regions correspond to doped regions of the substrate702that include a dopant that increases the refractive index of the low refractive index material (e.g., germanium doped (1×10−17cm−3) fused silica creating 8 μm diameter waveguides in bulk fused silica). In another example, the substrate702includes a high refractive index material, the plurality of waveguide regions704correspond to undoped regions of the substrate702, and remaining portions of the substrate702are doped with a dopant that decreases the refractive index of the high refractive index material (e.g., undoped 8 μm diameter lines in bulk fluorine doped fused silica (1×10−17cm−3)).

A first set of the plurality of waveguide regions704(e.g., corresponding to the waveguide array104D ofFIGS. 3A and 3B) includes a central waveguide region710and a plurality of feeder waveguide regions720in a substantially symmetric arrangement with respect to the central waveguide region710. The central waveguide region710has a first refractive index and a central axis712. Each feeder waveguide region720has a second refractive index and is extended in a direction714parallel to the central axis712from an input end722. Each feeder waveguide region720is spaced apart from the central waveguide region710by a distance740that is based on the wavelength107of the electromagnetic wave106. The substrate refractive index is less than the first refractive index and is less than the second refractive index.

A merge structure202C is coupled to each of the central waveguide regions via a respective transition device, such as a transition device730coupled to the central waveguide region710. In one example, the transition device730corresponds to a dielectric-filled horn. One or more branches of the merge structure202C can include a respective phase array device, such as a phase arrays device732(e.g., a static or active phase delay device), to align respective concentrated waves for combination at a combiner734.

FIG. 8is a flow diagram that illustrates an example of method800of concentrating an electromagnetic wave. The method800can be performed at one or more waveguide arrays or at one or more devices that include one or more waveguide arrays, such as described with reference to any ofFIGS. 1-7B.

The method800includes, at block802, receiving an electromagnetic wave at an input of a waveguide array. For example, the electromagnetic wave106ofFIG. 1is received at the input190of the waveguide array104A. The waveguide array incudes a central waveguide having a first refractive index and a central axis, such as the central waveguide110A ofFIG. 1having the first refractive index and the central axis112. The waveguide array also includes a plurality of feeder waveguides in a substantially symmetric arrangement with respect to the central waveguide, each feeder waveguide having a second refractive index and extended in a direction parallel to the central axis, and each feeder waveguide spaced apart from the central waveguide by a distance that is based on a wavelength of the electromagnetic wave. For example, the waveguide array104A ofFIG. 1includes the feeder waveguides120A,120B,120,120D,120E, and120F in a substantially symmetric arrangement with respect to the central waveguide110A. Each of the feeder waveguide120A,120B,120,120D,120E, and120F has a second refractive index and extends in a direction parallel to the central axis112, and each of the feeder waveguides120A,120B,120,120D,120E, and120F is spaced apart from the central waveguide110A by the distance140, which is based on the wavelength107of the electromagnetic wave106.

The method800includes, at block804, concentrating power of the electromagnetic wave by each of the feeder waveguides and, at block806, coupling the concentrated power from the feeder waveguides to the central waveguide via electromagnetic coupling. For example, the feeder waveguides120A,120B,120,120D,120E, and120F of the waveguide array104A ofFIG. 1concentrate power of the electromagnetic wave106and couple the concentrated power to the central waveguide110A via electromagnetic coupling.

The method800includes, at block808, outputting coupled concentrated power from the central waveguide via an output of the waveguide array. For example, the waveguide array104A ofFIG. 1outputs the coupled concentrated power of the electromagnetic wave106at the output192of the central waveguide110A.

FIG. 9is a block diagram of a computing environment900including a computing device910configured to support aspects of computer-implemented methods and computer-executable program instructions (or code) according to the present disclosure. For example, the computing device910, or portions thereof, is configured to execute instructions to initiate, perform, or control one or more operations described with reference toFIGS. 1-8.

The computing device910includes one or more processors920. The processor(s)920are configured to communicate with system memory930, one or more storage devices940, one or more input/output interfaces950, one or more communications interfaces960, or any combination thereof. The system memory930includes volatile memory devices (e.g., random access memory (RAM) devices), nonvolatile memory devices (e.g., read-only memory (ROM) devices, programmable read-only memory, and flash memory), or both. The system memory930stores an operating system932, which may include a basic input/output system for booting the computing device910as well as a full operating system to enable the computing device910to interact with users, other programs, and other devices.

The system memory930includes one or more applications934(e.g., sets of instructions) executable by the processor(s)920. As an example, the one or more applications934include instructions executable by the processor(s)920to initiate, control, or perform one or more operations described with reference toFIGS. 1-8.

The one or more storage devices940include nonvolatile storage devices, such as magnetic disks, optical disks, or flash memory devices. In a particular example, the storage devices940include both removable and non-removable memory devices. The storage devices940are configured to store an operating system, images of operating systems, applications (e.g., one or more of the applications934), and program data. In a particular aspect, the system memory930, the storage devices940, or both, include tangible computer-readable media. In a particular aspect, one or more of the storage devices940are external to the computing device910.

The one or more input/output interfaces950enable the computing device910to communicate with one or more input/output devices970and to receive concentrated power from an electromagnetic wave concentrator, such as any of the devices102ofFIG. 1-7B. The processor(s)920are configured to communicate with devices or controllers980via the one or more communications interfaces960. For example, the one or more communications interfaces960can include a network interface.

In conjunction with the described systems and methods, an apparatus for concentrating an electromagnetic wave is disclosed that includes means for guiding a wave along a central axis, the means for guiding the wave along the central axis having a first refractive index. In some implementations, the means for guiding the wave along the central axis corresponds to the central waveguide110of any ofFIG. 1,FIG. 2A-2B,FIG. 3A-3B,FIGS. 4A-4B,FIGS. 5A-5F, orFIGS. 6A-6F, the central waveguide region710, one or more other materials or devices configured to guide an electromagnetic wave along a central axis, or a combination thereof.

The apparatus also includes means for guiding the wave along multiple axes disposed around the central axis and extending substantially parallel to the central axis, the means for guiding the wave along the along multiple axes having a second refractive index. In some implementations, the means for guiding the wave along multiple axes corresponds to the feeder waveguides120of any ofFIG. 1,FIG. 2A-2B,FIG. 3A-3B,FIGS. 4A-4B,FIGS. 5A-5F, orFIGS. 6A-6F, the feeder waveguide regions720A and720B ofFIG. 7A-7B, one or more other materials or devices configured to guide an electromagnetic wave along a multiple axes around the central axis, or a combination thereof.

The apparatus includes means for retaining the means for guiding the wave along multiple axes, in a deployed configuration, in a substantially symmetric arrangement with respect to the means for guiding a wave along the central axis to enable concentration of an electromagnetic wave of a particular wavelength in the means for guiding a wave along the central axis via electromagnetic coupling of the means for guiding a wave along the central axis with the means for guiding the wave along multiple axes, with each of the multiple axes spaced apart from the central axis by a distance that is based on the particular wavelength. In some implementations, the means for retaining the means for guiding the wave along multiple axes corresponds to the support structure130of any ofFIG. 1,FIGS. 4A-4B,FIGS. 5A-5F,FIGS. 6A-6F, orFIG. 7A-7B, the aerogel402, the rigid substrate702, one or more other materials or devices configured to retain the means for guiding the wave along multiple axes, or a combination thereof.

The illustrations of the examples described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various implementations. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a complete description of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many other implementations may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other implementations may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, method operations may be performed in a different order than shown in the figures or one or more method operations may be omitted. Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.