Method and apparatus for low-loss signal transmission
First Claim
1. A low-loss RF waveguide, comprising:
- a hollow core;
a flexible honeycomb, periodic-bandgap fiber surrounding the hollow core, wherein the low-loss RF waveguide is formed to operate in a range of approximately 300 GHz to approximately 30 THz; and
a dielectric ribbon-guide positioned within the hollow core such that the hollow core has a first cross-sectional dimension and a second cross-sectional dimension, wherein the first cross-sectional dimension is not equal to the second cross-sectional dimension.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to the field of radio-frequency (RF) waveguides. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a method and apparatus that provides ultra-low-loss RF waveguide structures targeted between approximately 300 GHz and approximately 30 THz. The RF waveguide includes a hollow core and a flexible honeycomb, periodic-bandgap structure surrounding the hollow core. The flexible honeycomb, periodic-bandgap structure is formed of a plurality of tubes formed of a dielectric material such as of low-loss quartz, polyethylene, or high-resistivity silicon. Using the RF waveguide, a user may attach a terahertz signal source to the waveguide and pass signals through the waveguide, while a terahertz signal receiver receives the signals.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A low-loss RF waveguide, comprising:
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a hollow core; a flexible honeycomb, periodic-bandgap fiber surrounding the hollow core, wherein the low-loss RF waveguide is formed to operate in a range of approximately 300 GHz to approximately 30 THz; and a dielectric ribbon-guide positioned within the hollow core such that the hollow core has a first cross-sectional dimension and a second cross-sectional dimension, wherein the first cross-sectional dimension is not equal to the second cross-sectional dimension. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A low-loss RF waveguide, comprising:
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a hollow core; a flexible honeycomb, periodic-bandgap fiber surrounding the hollow core; a dielectric ribbon-guide positioned within the hollow core such that the hollow core has a first cross-sectional dimension and a second cross-sectional dimension, wherein the first cross-sectional dimension is not equal to the second cross-sectional dimension; and wherein the low-loss RF waveguide is formed to operate in a range of approximately 300 GHz to approximately 30 THz; wherein the flexible honeycomb, periodic-bandgap fiber comprises a plurality of tubes having approximately equal cross-sectional geometry; wherein the tubes are formed of a material selected from a group consisting of low-loss quartz, polyethylene, and high-resistivity silicon; wherein the hollow core is over-moded; and wherein the hollow core has a substantially circular cross-section.
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9. A fiberscope comprising:
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a low-loss RF waveguide, comprising; a hollow core; a flexible honeycomb, periodic-bandgap fiber surrounding the hollow core, wherein the low-loss RF waveguide operates in a range of approximately 300 GHz to approximately 30 THz; a dielectric ribbon-guide positioned within the hollow core such that the hollow core has a first cross-sectional dimension and a second cross-sectional dimension, wherein the first cross-sectional dimension is not equal to the second cross-sectional dimension; and a terahertz signal source coupled with the low-loss RF waveguide. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A method for guiding RF signals, the method comprising acts of:
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forming a flexible honeycomb, periodic-bandgap fiber around a hollow core; and positioning a dielectric ribbon-guide within the hollow core such that the hollow core has a first cross-sectional dimension and a second cross-sectional dimension, wherein the first cross-sectional dimension is not equal to the second cross-sectional dimension;
resulting in a low-loss RF waveguide such that the RF waveguide is operable for receiving RF signals in the range of approximately 300 GHz to approximately 30 THz. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of imaging, the method comprising acts of:
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utilizing a low-loss RF waveguide, where the low-loss RF waveguide comprises; a hollow core; a flexible honeycomb, periodic-bandgap fiber surrounding the hollow core; and a dielectric ribbon-guide positioned within the hollow core such that the hollow core has a first cross-sectional dimension and a second cross-sectional dimension, wherein the first cross-sectional dimension is not equal to the second cross-sectional dimension; passing a signal having a frequency in the range of approximately 300 GHz to approximately 30 THz into the low-loss RF waveguide; reflecting the signal off of an object, resulting in a reflected signal; and
receiving the reflected signal. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification