Ir source and phased antenna with graphene layer and related methods

A phased array comprising:

• an electrically conductive layer;
• a first dielectric layer over the electrically conductive layer;
• a transparent electrically conductive layer over the first dielectric layer;
• a second dielectric layer over the transparent electrically conductive layer;
• a graphene layer over the second dielectric layer and having a perforated pattern comprising an array of elliptical holes, the graphene layer configured to emit infrared (IR) radiation in a frequency range;
• first and second electrically conductive contacts coupled to the graphene layer;
• and
• circuity configured to
• apply a voltage signal between the first and second electrically conductive contacts,
• change the voltage signal to selectively set phase change between the IR radiation emitted from adjacent elliptical holes to emit the IR radiation at an angle from normal, and
• change the voltage signal to selectively set the frequency range of the IR radiation.

A method for making an infrared (IR) source comprising:

• forming a first dielectric layer over an electrically conductive layer;
• forming a transparent electrically conductive layer over the first dielectric layer;
• forming a second dielectric layer over the transparent electrically conductive layer;
• forming a graphene layer over the second dielectric layer and having a perforated pattern;
• and
• forming first and second electrically conductive contacts coupled to the graphene layer;
• the graphene layer configured to emit IR radiation in a frequency range when a voltage signal is applied between the first and second electrically conductive contacts.

A method of operating a phased array comprising an electrically conductive layer, a first dielectric layer over the electrically conductive layer, a transparent electrically conductive layer over the first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer over the transparent electrically conductive layer, a graphene layer over the second dielectric layer and having a perforated pattern comprising an array of elliptical holes, the graphene layer configured to emit infrared (IR) radiation in a frequency range, and first and second electrically conductive contacts coupled to the graphene layer, the method comprising:

• operating circuity coupled between the first and second electrically conductive contacts to
• apply a voltage signal between the first and second electrically conductive contacts,
• change the voltage signal to selectively set phase change between the IR radiation emitted from adjacent elliptical holes to emit the IR radiation at an angle from normal, and
• change the voltage signal to selectively set the frequency range of the IR radiation.