US 12,749,819 B2 · Conformal wavefront transformer and method of making

Abstract

A wavefront transformer for reflecting and transforming an incident electromagnetic wavefront includes an electrically-conductive substrate with spaced perforations (cavities), which may have uniform spacing and varying depth. The perforations may have a radius that is close to and greater than a cutoff radius for one or more intended incident frequencies of the incident wavefront. The spaced perforations may be filled with air or may be filled with a dielectric solid material. The substrate may be covered with a cover made of a dielectric solid material. The transformer may be made by drilling holes in the substrate. Alternatively a plate having protrusions on it corresponding to the desired perforations may be used to form the perforations on the substrate. The plate may be removed or left in place after the formation of the perforations.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A wavefront transformer for transforming an incident electromagnetic wavefront having a given shape to a reflected wavefront having a different shape, the wavefront transformer comprising:

a reflector having a conductive surface configured to reflect the incident electromagnetic wavefront, the incident electromagnetic wavefront having one or more intended incident frequencies;
and
a dielectric material cover overlying the reflector;
wherein the reflector has a plurality of protrusions extending from the reflector defining uniformly spaced cavities, each of the cavities having substantially a same radius;
wherein the cavities have varying depths, the depths of the cavities configured to impose a desired transformation on the incident electromagnetic wavefront;
wherein the radius of the cavities is within 25% of a cutoff radius for a lowest of the one or more intended incident frequencies, the cutoff radius being a radius for which a waveguide phase propagation constant of the lowest of the one or more intended incident frequencies is zero;
and
wherein the dielectric material cover includes additional protrusions that enter into respective ones of the cavities, the additional protrusions corresponding with the protrusions extending from the reflector.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Conformal wavefront transformer and method of making

Life of this patent

Conformal wavefront transformer and method of making

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20