Radome compensation using matched negative index or refraction materials
AssigneeRaytheon Company
InventorsStephen M. Schultz, Delmar L. Barker, Harry A. Schmitt
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Abstract
A compensated radome is provided, comprising an inner layer of a negative index of refraction material, often referred to as a “metamaterial”, and an outer layer of a positive index of refraction material. The thickness of the two materials and their respective refractive indices are adjusted so that a beam of light passing through the radome is effectively not refracted. The metamaterial-compensated radomes solve the bore sight angle problem with a minimum of complexity.
Claims25
A compensated radome, comprising an inner layer of a negative index of refraction material and an outer layer of a positive index of refraction material, wherein each layer has a thickness, with said thickness of each layer and their respective refractive indices adjusted so that a beam of electromagnetic radiation passing through said radome is effectively not refracted, said beam of electromagnetic radiation received by a receiving means.
A missile including a radome, said radome compensated against bore sight error, said radome comprising an inner layer of a negative index of refraction material and an outer layer of a positive index of refraction material, wherein each layer has a thickness, with said thickness of each layer and their respective refractive indices adjusted so that a beam of electromagnetic radiation passing through said radome is effectively not refracted, said beam of electromagnetic radiation received by a receiving means.
A method of compensating for bore sight errors in a radome, said method comprising:
- providing a layer of a negative index of refraction material;
- providing a layer of a positive index of refraction material;
- and
- fabricating said radome to comprise two layers, an inner layer comprising said layer of negative index of refraction material and an outer layer comprising said layer of positive index of refraction material,
- wherein each layer has a thickness, with said thickness of each layer and their respective refractive indices adjusted so that a beam of electromagnetic radiation passing through said radome is effectively not refracted, said beam of electromagnetic radiation received by a receiving means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.