Method and apparatus of wide-angle optical beamsteering from a nanoantenna phased array
| Patent Number: | 9,104,086 |
| Issued: | 8/11/2015 |
| Official Filing: | View the Complete Patent |
| Abstract: | An optical beam-steering apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes one or more optical waveguides and at least one row of metallic nanoantenna elements overlying and electromagnetically coupled to a respective waveguide. In each such row, individual nanoantenna elements are spaced apart along an optical propagation axis of the waveguide so that there is an optical propagation phase delay between successive pairs of nanoantenna elements along the row. The apparatus also includes a respective single electric heating element in thermal contact with each of the waveguides. Each heating element is arranged to heat, substantially uniformly, at least that portion of its waveguide that directly underlies the corresponding row of nanoantenna elements. |
| Filed: | 2/24/2014 |
| Application Number: | 14/188,269 |
| Related Opportunity: |
Nanoantenna Phased Array and Transceiver Next-Generation Automotive |
| Government Interests: | STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention. |