Optically reconfigurable radio frequency antennas

An aerospace system, comprising:

• a surface-conformal reflector that comprises one or more optically addressable carbon nanotubes, said nanotubes when optically addressed switch between a non-metallic state and a metallic state;
• a transceiver to radiate a radio frequency signal in the direction of the surface reflector or receive a radio frequency signal from the direction of the surface reflector;
• and
• an optical conductor to illuminate portions of the carbon nanotubes with one or more optical signals to switch the portions of carbon nanotubes between its non-metallic states and metallic states thereby reflecting the radiated radio frequency signal.

An aircraft assembly, comprising:

• a structure;
• and
• an aircraft system operatively coupled to the structure, the aircraft system including:
• a surface-conformal reflector that comprises one or more optically addressable carbon nanotubes, said nanotubes when optically addressed switch between a non-metallic state and a metallic state;
• a transmitter to radiate a radio frequency signal in the direction of the surface reflector;
• and
• an optical conductor to illuminate portions of the carbon nanotubes with one or more optical signals to switch the portions of carbon nanotubes between its non-metallic states and metallic states thereby reflecting the radiated radio frequency signal.