Transparent Induction Based D-Dot Electric Field Sensors
AssigneeU.S. Government as represented by the Secretary of the Army
InventorsDavid M. Hull, David R. Allee, Kathleen P. Coleman, Sean M. Heintzleman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Exemplary transparent D-dot electric-field sensors are disclosed. Use of these exemplary devices enables combination with solar panels and other use cases previously impossible with prior metal plate style D-dot sensors. The transparent nature of these layers allows the sensor electrodes to be stacked with other optically sensitive electronics including photovoltaics. This doubles the available area for both functions, potentially doubling the output of both.
Claims24
A transparent charge-induction based electric field sensor comprising:
- a transparent substantially non-conducting substrate;
- a transparent substantially conductive electrode grown on, adhered to, or placed on the transparent nonconducting substrate;
- and
- a circuit connected to the transparent substantially conductive electrode that is configured to measure current that is induced on the transparent non-conducting substrate to determine a sensed electric field.
A device for electric field sensing comprising:
- an EMF device or sensitive layer which is configured to absorb EMF radiation to output voltage;
- and
- an optional transparent at the EMF radiation substantially non-conducting layer grown on, adhered to, or placed on the device or sensitive layer which is substantially transparent to light at one or more optical frequencies;
- a substantially conductive electrode transparent at the EMF radiation grown on, adhered to, or placed on the transparent non-conducting layer which is substantially transparent to light at one or more optical frequencies, wherein, in the presence of an electric field, the electric field induces an electrical current in the transparent substantially conductive electrode;
- and
- a circuit connected to the transparent substantially conductive electrode that is configured to measure current that is induced on the transparent non-conducting substrate to determine a sensed electric field.
A device for electric field sensing comprising:
- a photovoltaic cell or optical sensitive layer which harvests or senses light of one or more optical frequencies;
- and
- an optional transparent substantially non-conducting layer grown on, adhered to, or placed on the photovoltaic cell or optical sensitive layer which is substantially transparent to light at one or more optical frequencies;
- a transparent substantially conductive electrode grown on, adhered to, or placed on the transparent non-conducting layer which is substantially transparent to light at one or more optical frequencies, wherein, in the presence of an electric field, the electric-field induces an electrical current in the transparent substantially conductive electrode;
- and
- a circuit connected to the transparent substantially conductive electrode that is configured to measure current that is induced on the transparent non-conducting substrate to determine a sensed electric field.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.