Multiferroic antenna and transmitter
First Claim
1. A multiferroic element, comprising:
- a substrate formed on an electrically conductive ground plane, the substrate being formed from a material having a predetermined elastic modulus;
a layer of piezoelectric material formed on the substrate; and
a layer of magnetostrictive material bonded to the layer of piezoelectric material, wherein a mechanical strain is created in the layer of piezoelectric material in response to a voltage signal being applied to the multiferroic element, the mechanical strain in the layer of piezoelectric material causing a mechanical strain in the layer of magnetostrictive material to produce a radio frequency magnetic field that is proportional to the voltage signal for generating a radio frequency electromagnetic wave, wherein the predetermined elastic modulus of the substrate is substantially lower than an elastic modulus of the layer of piezoelectric material substantially preventing distortion of the multiferroic element when the voltage signal is applied.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multiferroic element may include a substrate formed on an electrically conductive ground plane. The substrate may be formed from a material having a predetermined elastic modulus. A layer of piezoelectric material may be formed on the substrate. A layer of magnetostrictive material may be bonded to the layer of piezoelectric material. A mechanical strain is created in the layer of piezoelectric material in response to a voltage signal being applied to the multiferroic element. The mechanical strain in the layer of piezoelectric material causes a mechanical strain in the layer of magnetostrictive material to produce a radio frequency magnetic field that is proportional to the voltage signal for generating a radio frequency electromagnetic wave. The predetermined elastic modulus of the substrate is substantially lower than an elastic modulus of the layer of piezoelectric material.
31 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A multiferroic element, comprising:
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a substrate formed on an electrically conductive ground plane, the substrate being formed from a material having a predetermined elastic modulus; a layer of piezoelectric material formed on the substrate; and a layer of magnetostrictive material bonded to the layer of piezoelectric material, wherein a mechanical strain is created in the layer of piezoelectric material in response to a voltage signal being applied to the multiferroic element, the mechanical strain in the layer of piezoelectric material causing a mechanical strain in the layer of magnetostrictive material to produce a radio frequency magnetic field that is proportional to the voltage signal for generating a radio frequency electromagnetic wave, wherein the predetermined elastic modulus of the substrate is substantially lower than an elastic modulus of the layer of piezoelectric material substantially preventing distortion of the multiferroic element when the voltage signal is applied. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A multiferroic antenna, comprising:
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an electrically conductive ground plane; a plurality of multiferroic elements formed on the electrically conductive ground plane, the plurality of multiferroic elements being configured in an array to form the multiferroic antenna, each of the multiferroic elements comprising; a substrate formed on the ground plane; a layer of piezoelectric material formed on the substrate; and a layer of magnetostrictive material bonded to the layer of piezoelectric material, wherein a mechanical strain is created in the layer of piezoelectric material in response to a voltage signal being connected across the ground plane and the layer of magnetostrictive material, the mechanical strain in the layer of piezoelectric material causing a mechanical strain in the layer of magnetostrictive material to produce a radio frequency magnetic field that is proportional to the voltage signal for generating a radio frequency electromagnetic wave, wherein the substrate comprises a material having a predetermined elastic modulus substantially lower than an elastic modulus of the layer of piezoelectric material and the layer of magnetostrictive material that substantially prevents distortion of the multiferroic element and loss of antenna power when the voltage signal is connected. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A vehicle, comprising:
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a skin; a transmitter mounted in the vehicle for communications; a transmit multiferroic antenna connected to the transmitter and mounted on the skin, wherein the transmit multiferroic antenna comprises; an electrically conductive ground plane; a plurality of multiferroic elements formed on the electrically conductive ground plane and configured in an array to form the multiferroic antenna, each of the multiferroic elements comprising; a substrate formed on the ground plane; a layer of piezoelectric material formed on the substrate; and a layer of magnetostrictive material bonded to the layer of piezoelectric material, wherein a mechanical strain is created in the layer of piezoelectric material in response to a voltage signal being connected across the ground plane and the layer of magnetostrictive material, the mechanical strain in the layer of piezoelectric material causing a mechanical strain in the layer of magnetostrictive material to produce a radio frequency magnetic field that is proportional to the voltage signal for generating a radio frequency electromagnetic wave, wherein the substrate comprises a material having a predetermined elastic modulus substantially lower than an elastic modulus of the layer of piezoelectric material and the layer of magnetostrictive material that substantially prevents distortion of the multiferroic element and loss of antenna power when the voltage signal is connected. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for generating a radio frequency electromagnetic wave, comprising:
applying a voltage signal to a multiferroic element to create a mechanical strain in a layer of piezoelectric material bonded to a layer of magnetostrictive material of the multiferroic element in response to the voltage signal being applied to the multiferroic element, the mechanical strain in the layer of piezoelectric material causing a mechanical strain in the layer of magnetostrictive material to produce a radio frequency magnetic field that is proportional to the voltage signal for generating the radio frequency electromagnetic wave, wherein the piezoelectric material is formed on a substrate on an electrically conductive ground plane, the substrate being formed from a material having a predetermined elastic modulus that is substantially lower than an elastic modulus of the layer of piezoelectric material substantially preventing distortion of the multiferroic element when the voltage signal is applied. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
Specification