Rectifier for electromagnetic radiation
First Claim
1. A rectifier for converting an oscillating electromagnetic field into a direct current comprising:
- (a) an electrically conductive antenna layer configured to absorb at least 1% of at least one selected wavelength of electromagnetic radiation;
(b) an electrically conductive mirror layer, configured to provide an electromagnetic mirror charge of the antenna layer;
(c) an electrically insulating barrier layer, positioned between the antenna layer and the mirror layer and having a thickness of about 0.3 nm to about 20 nm; and
(d) an electronic circuit electrically connected between the conductive mirror layer and the conductive antenna layer,wherein the rectifier is configured to enable electron tunneling through the electrically insulating barrier layer and wherein the antenna layer and the mirror layer are selected to provide tunneling matrix elements that result in a responsivity factor greater than about 10 V−
1 for at least one voltage within the range from about −
100 mV to about 100 mV.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A rectifier is provided for converting an oscillating electromagnetic field into a direct current and comprises an electrically conductive antenna layer configured to absorb electromagnetic radiation, an electrically conductive mirror layer configured to provide an electromagnetic mirror charge of the antenna layer, an electrically insulating tunnel barrier layer positioned between the antenna layer and the mirror layer, and an electronic circuit electrically connected between the conductive mirror layer and the conductive antenna layer. The rectifier employs a metamaterial configuration for room temperature rectification of radiation in regions of the electromagnetic spectrum comprising the MWIR and LWIR regions. Methods for use of the rectifier in rectifying and detecting radiation are described.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A rectifier for converting an oscillating electromagnetic field into a direct current comprising:
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(a) an electrically conductive antenna layer configured to absorb at least 1% of at least one selected wavelength of electromagnetic radiation; (b) an electrically conductive mirror layer, configured to provide an electromagnetic mirror charge of the antenna layer; (c) an electrically insulating barrier layer, positioned between the antenna layer and the mirror layer and having a thickness of about 0.3 nm to about 20 nm; and (d) an electronic circuit electrically connected between the conductive mirror layer and the conductive antenna layer, wherein the rectifier is configured to enable electron tunneling through the electrically insulating barrier layer and wherein the antenna layer and the mirror layer are selected to provide tunneling matrix elements that result in a responsivity factor greater than about 10 V−
1 for at least one voltage within the range from about −
100 mV to about 100 mV. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for converting an oscillating electromagnetic field into a direct current comprising:
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(a) absorbing electromagnetic radiation with a rectifier, the rectifier comprising, (i) an electrically conductive antenna layer configured to absorb at least 1% of at least one selected wavelength of electromagnetic radiation; (ii) an electrically conductive mirror layer configured to provide an electromagnetic mirror charge of the antenna layer; (iii) an electrically insulating barrier layer positioned between the antenna layer and the mirror layer and having a thickness of about 0.3 nm to about 20 nm; and (iv) an electronic circuit electrically connected between the conductive mirror layer and the conductive antenna layer, wherein the rectifier is configured to enable electron tunneling through the electrically insulating barrier layer and wherein the antenna layer and the mirror layer are selected to provide tunneling matrix elements that result in a responsivity factor greater than about 10 V−
1 for at least one voltage within the range from about −
100 mV to about 100 mV; and(b) passing a current, induced by the absorption of the electromagnetic radiation, through the electronic circuit.
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Specification