Acoustic manipulation of plasma for arbitrary plasma metamaterial formation
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorJonathon R. Heinrich
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for producing a steady-state three dimensional shape in a plasma includes filling a space with a gas, ionizing the gas with a radio frequency source to form a plasma, and directing acoustic waves into the plasma from a plurality of acoustic sources. The acoustic waves from each of the plurality of acoustic sources interact to create standing wave pattern forming a three dimensional shape in the plasma.
Claims18
An apparatus for producing a plasma having a three dimensional shape comprising:
- a chamber filled with a gas;
- an energy source operable to provide energy to ionize the gas in the chamber to form a plasma;
- a plurality of sensors operable to measure one or more properties of the plasma;
- and
- a plurality of acoustic sources capable of producing acoustic waves, wherein the acoustic waves produced by each of the plurality of acoustic sources interact to create a standing wave pattern forming a three dimensional shape in the plasma;
- and
- wherein the apparatus is configured to direct electromagnetic radiation through the plasma and the electromagnetic radiation is guided by the three dimensional shape.
A method for producing a three dimensional shape in a plasma comprising:
- filling a space with a gas;
- ionizing the gas with a radio frequency source to form a plasma;
- directing acoustic waves into the plasma from a plurality of acoustic sources, wherein the acoustic waves from each of the plurality of acoustic sources interact to create a standing wave pattern forming a three dimensional shape in the plasma;
- and
- directing electromagnetic radiation through the plasma, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is guided by the three dimensional shape.
A system for directing electromagnetic radiation comprising:
- a chamber;
- a plasma contained within the chamber;
- a plurality of acoustic sources;
- a portion of the chamber configured to allow electromagnetic radiation to enter the chamber;
- and
- a portion of the chamber configured to allow electromagnetic radiation to exit the chamber;
- wherein:
- the plasma is formed into a plasma metamaterial by acoustic waves generated by the plurality of acoustic sources;
- and
- the plasma metamaterial is configured by the acoustic waves to direct electromagnetic radiation entering the chamber through the portion of the chamber configured to allow electromagnetic radiation to enter the chamber to the portion of the chamber configured to allow electromagnetic radiation to exit the chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.