Rectifying antenna device with nanostructure diode

• US 9,018,616 B2
• Filed: 07/23/2009
• Issued: 04/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ramot at Tel Aviv University Limited (Tel Aviv University)
• Original Assignee: Ramot at Tel Aviv University Limited (Tel Aviv University)
• Inventors: Hanein, Yael, Boag, Amir, Scheuer, Jacob, Friedler, Inbal
• Primary Examiner(s): Matthews, Colleen A
• Assistant Examiner(s): SNOW, COLLEEN ERIN
• Application Number:
  US13/055,717
• Publication Number:
  US 20110121258A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,105 Days
• Field of Search: 257/9, 257/E29.005, 257/E21.358, 438/466, 977/742, 977/950
• US Class Current: 257/9
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 10/00 Nanotechnology for information processing, storage or transmission, e.g. quantum computing or single electron logic
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 29/0665 the shape of the body defining a nanostructure nanotechnology per se B82B
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 29/0673 oriented parallel to a substrate
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 29/0676 oriented perpendicular or at an angle to a substrate
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 29/1606 Graphene
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 29/6609 Diodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 29/86 controllable only by variation of the electric current supplied, or only the electric potential applied, to one or more of the electrodes carrying the current to be rectified, amplified, oscillated or switched
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/035227 the quantum structure being quantum wires, or nanorods carbon nanotubes H10K85/211
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/1025 the potential barrier being of the point contact type
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/248 provided with an AC/DC converting device, e.g. rectennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/16 with feed intermediate between the extremities of the antenna, e.g. centre-fed dipole H01Q9/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/28 Conical, cylindrical, cage, strip, gauze, or like elements having an extended radiating surface; Elements comprising two conical surfaces having collinear axes and adjacent apices and fed by two-conductor transmission lines waveguide horns or mouths H01Q13/00; slot antennas H01Q13/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/285 Planar dipole H01Q9/065 takes precedence; patch antenna H01Q9/0407
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/001 Energy harvesting or scavenging
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/005 Mechanical details of housing or structure aiming to accommodate the power transfer means, e.g. mechanical integration of coils, antennas or transducers into emitting or receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/27 characterised by the type of receiving antennas, e.g. rectennas
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 10/20 Organic diodes
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 19/00 Integrated devices, or assemblies of multiple devices, comprising at least one organic element specially adapted for rectifying, amplifying, oscillating or switching, covered by group H10K10/00
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 85/221 : Carbon nanotubes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 : Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/742 : Carbon nanotubes, CNTs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/932 : for electronic or optoelectronic application
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/95 : Electromagnetic energy

Abstract

A rectifying antenna device is disclosed. The device comprises a pair of electrode structures, and at least one nanostructure diode contacting at least a first electrode structure of the pair and being at least in proximity to a second electrode structure of the pair. At least one electrode structure of the pair receives AC radiation, and the nanostructure diode(s) at least partially rectifies a current generated by the AC radiation.

Claims

1. A rectifying antenna device, comprising:

a pair of substantially planar and partially overlapping electrode structures;

at least one nanostructure diode contacting at least a first electrode structure of said pair and being at least in proximity to a second electrode structure of said pair; and

a perforated dielectric layer for ensuring that said electrode structures of said pair are devoid of electrical contact thereamongst;

wherein at least one electrode structure of said pair receives AC radiation, and said at least one nanostructure diode at least partially rectifies a current generated by said AC radiation.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one nanostructure diode comprises an elongated nanostructure diode, deposited generally parallel to said pair of electrode structures.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one dielectric resonator for receiving and enhancing said AC radiation such that at least one electrode structure of said pair receives said enhanced radiation.

4. A rectifying antenna system, comprising a plurality of rectifying antenna devices, wherein at least one of said rectifying antenna devices is the rectifying antenna device of claim 1.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said plurality of rectifying antenna devices are arranged to receive two polarizations.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein said electrode structures are made, at least in part, of different conductive materials.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein said electrode structures are made of the same conductive material.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises at least one additional electrode structure oriented substantially perpendicular to an imaginary axis defined by said pair of electrode structures.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein said electrode structures are separated by a gap shaped so as to ensure asymmetric electrical configuration.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one nanostructure diode comprises a plurality of nanostructure diodes.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein said pair of electrode structures forms a dipole antenna.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein said pair of electrode structures forms a bow tie antenna.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein said bow tie antenna has an asymmetric gap.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises organic molecules attached to at least one of said electrode structures.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to rectify radiation in the visible range.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to rectify radiation in the infrared range.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one elongated nanostructure comprises carbon nanotube.

18. A method of manufacturing a rectifying antenna device, comprising:

depositioning a first electrode structure on a substrate;

depositioning a perforated dielectric layer such that said perforated dielectric layer partially covers said first electrode structure;

depositioning a second electrode structure on said substrate, such that said second electrode structure partially overlaps said first electrode structure, to form a pair of electrode structures being at least partially exposed and devoid of contact thereamongst; and

depositioning at least one elongated nanostructure on said second electrode structure such that said elongated nanostructure partially overlaps said first electrode structure, to form at least one nanostructure diode.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising depositioning an additional electrode structure on said substrate in a manner such that said at least one nanostructure diode interconnects said first electrode structure and said an additional electrode structure.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said additional electrode structure is oriented substantially perpendicular to an imaginary axis defined by said first and said second electrode structures.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising applying electric field to said additional electrode structure so as to burn a tip of said at least one nanostructure diode, hence to prevent contact between said at least one nanostructure diode and said second electrode structure.

22. The method according to claim 18, wherein said first and said second electrode structures are laterally displaced by a gap.

23. The method according to claim 18, wherein said depositioning of said nanostructure is effected by a stamping technique.