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AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
InventorCharles P. Moeller
Estimating the term…
A waveguide mode converter converts electromagnetic power being transmitted in a TE.sub.0n or a TM.sub.0n mode, where n is an integer, to an HE.sub.11 mode. The conversion process occurs in a single stage without requiring the power to pass through any intermediate modes. The converter comprises a length of circular corrugated waveguide formed in a multiperiod periodic curve. The period of the curve is selected to couple the desired modes and decouple undesired modes. The corrugation depth is selected to control the phase propagation constant, or wavenumbers, of the input and output modes, thereby preventing coherent coupling to competing modes. In one embodiment, both the period and amplitude of the curve may be selectively adjusted, thereby allowing the converter to be tuned to maximize the conversion efficiency.
Waveguide mode converting apparatus for converting a first mode of transmission of electromagnetic power at a given free space wavelength to a second mode of transmission at the same wavelength, said apparatus including a length of circular corrugated waveguide of predetermined inner diameter and annular corrugations formed in a multiperiod periodic planar curve with a period substantially equal to 2.pi. divided by the difference in axial wavenumbers of the respective first and second modes of transmission in said waveguide.
A tunable waveguide mode converter comprising:
A method for converting electromagnetic power at a given free space wavelength from a TE.sub.01 or TM.sub.02 input mode, to an HE.sub.11 output mode, said method comprising applying said power in said input mode to the input end of a length of circular corrugated waveguide of given inner diameter and annular corrugations formed in a multiperiod periodic planar curve, adjusting the period of said curve to maximize power radiating from the output end of said length of waveguide in said HE.sub.11 output mode, and adjusting the amplitude of said curve to minimize the power radiating from the output end of said length of waveguide in said input mode, thereby achieving maximum conversion to the HE.sub.11 mode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.