Microwave resonator sensor and associated methods of sensing
First Claim
1. A sensor for sensing at least a physical property of an environment, the sensor comprising a microwave resonator having a top conductive layer, a bottom conductive layer and a substrate layer made of a first dielectric material sandwiched therebetween, a fence electrically connecting the top conductive layer to the bottom conductive layer across the substrate layer and enclosing at least one resonance cavity, at least one microwave signal port across the fence, at least one sensing portion having a second dielectric material functionalized to the physical property of the environment, the second dielectric material extending across the conductive layers and the at least one resonance cavity and being exposed to the environment during use of the sensor, the microwave resonator having at least one resonance frequency being dependent of the exposure to affect a microwave signal resonating therein.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The sensor for sensing at least a physical property of an environment generally has a microwave resonator having a top conductive layer, a bottom conductive layer and a substrate layer therebetween, the substrate layer being made of a first dielectric material, a fence electrically connecting the top conductive layer to the bottom conductive layer across the substrate layer, and enclosing at least one resonance cavity, at least one microwave signal port across the fence, at least one sensing portion of a second dielectric material functionalized to the physical property of the environment, extending in the at least one resonance cavity and being exposed to the environment across at least one of the top conductive layer and the bottom conductive layer, the microwave resonator having at least one resonance frequency being dependent of the exposure of the second dielectric material with the environment to affect a microwave signal resonating therein.
23 Citations
26 Claims
- 1. A sensor for sensing at least a physical property of an environment, the sensor comprising a microwave resonator having a top conductive layer, a bottom conductive layer and a substrate layer made of a first dielectric material sandwiched therebetween, a fence electrically connecting the top conductive layer to the bottom conductive layer across the substrate layer and enclosing at least one resonance cavity, at least one microwave signal port across the fence, at least one sensing portion having a second dielectric material functionalized to the physical property of the environment, the second dielectric material extending across the conductive layers and the at least one resonance cavity and being exposed to the environment during use of the sensor, the microwave resonator having at least one resonance frequency being dependent of the exposure to affect a microwave signal resonating therein.
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19. A method for sensing at least a physical property of an environment, the method comprising:
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providing a path having an input and an output; and
a microwave resonator therebetween, the microwave resonator having a top conductive layer, a bottom conductive layer and a substrate layer therebetween, the top conductive layer being electrically connected to the bottom conductive layer by a conductive fence across the substrate layer, the fence enclosing at least one resonance cavity, the input being connected to the at least one resonance cavity across the fence, each of the at least one resonance cavity having at least one sensing portion of a second dielectric material functionalized to the physical property of the environment, extending in the at least one resonance cavity and being exposed to the environment across at least one of the top conductive layer and the bottom conductive layer, the microwave resonator having at least one resonance frequency;propagating an input microwave signal into the input of the path, the microwave resonator transforming the input microwave signal into an output microwave signal being characterized by the at least one resonance frequency, the at least one resonance frequency being dependent of the exposure of the second dielectric material with the environment to affect a microwave signal resonating therein; measuring the resonance frequency in the output microwave signal from the output of the path; and sensing the at least a physical property based on the resonance frequency. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of making a sensor for sensing at least a physical property of an environment, the method comprising:
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providing a substrate layer made of a first dielectric material; incorporating a layer of conductive material on the top of the substrate and a layer of conductive material on the bottom of the substrate; forming a fence of through-holes surrounding a sensing portion except for an input area; filling the through-holes with a conductive material thereby making an electrical link between the two layers of conductive material and enclosing at least one resonance cavity; and processing a given configuration of holes across the resonance cavity, the holes being interspaced from one another in the sensing portion. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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Specification