Numerical study of metamaterial absorber and extending absorbance bandwidth based on multi-square patches

A simple design of metamaterial absorber (MA) was proposed based on a periodic array of metal patch at microwave frequencies. Our design could exhibit absorption of 99.9% confirmed by numerical simulation. Such high narrowband absorption which mainly based on strong electric and magnetic resonances overlapping in a certain frequency range and perfect impedance-matched (z = 1) to the free space. Numerical simulations demonstrate that the MA could achieve very high absorptivity at wide angles of incidence for both transverse electric (TE) wave and transverse magnetic (TM) wave. The absorption band of our device is effectively extended by patterning multi-square patches of different dimension elements with appropriate geometrical parameters in a co-planar. Finally, the composite MA is only 0.4 mm thick, with a maximum absorption of 99.8% at 15.8 GHz, and a full width at half maximum (FWHM) bandwidth of 2 GHz by numerical simulation, which may have potential applications in the detection of explosives and stealth.     

基于超材料与电阻型频率选择表面的薄型宽频带吸波体的设计

设计了三种类型吸波体, 分别为基于正方形金属贴片(square metal patch, SMP) 结构超材料吸波体、 电阻型频率选择表面(Resistance Frequency Selective Surface, RFSS) 吸波体和SMP与RFSS的复合结构吸波体. 采用FDTD算法分别对这三种类型吸波体的电磁波吸收特性进行数值模拟分析. 模拟得到的结果表明: 在整个2-30 GHz频率范围内, SMP吸波体, 通过几何参数的设计可以实现多频窄带强吸收; RFSS吸波体, 通过方块电阻的设计可以实现高频宽带强吸收, 但强吸收的带宽有限; SMP与RFSS的复合结构吸波体, 在3-25 GHz之间吸收率大于90%以上, 且宽频范围内与自由空间具有较好的阻抗匹配特性.     

Microwave metamaterial absorber for sensing applications

A metamaterial absorber (MA) based sensor is designed and analysed for various important applications including pressure, temperature, density, and humidity sensing. Material parameters, as well as equivalent circuit model have been extracted and explained. After obtaining a perfect absorption (PA) at around 6.46 GHz and 7.68 GHz, surface current distributions at resonance points have been explained. Since bandwidth and applicability to different sensor applications are important for metamaterial sensor applications, we have realized distinctive sensor demonstrations for pressure, temperature, moisture content and density and the obtained results have been compared with the current literature. The proposed structure uses the changes on the overall system resonance frequency which is caused by the sensor layer’s dielectric constant that varies depending on the electromagnetic behaviour of the sample placed in. This model can be adapted to be used in sensor applications including industrial, medical and agricultural products.     

Double-layer structural design of dielectric ordered mesoporous carbon/paraffin composites for microwave absorption

Microwave absorbing materials composed of ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) as absorbent and paraffin as matrix were prepared, and their electromagnetic and microwave absorbing properties could be tuned by changing the weight fraction of OMC at 2–18 GHz. The minimum reflection loss (RL) value reached ?9.3 dB at 8.0 GHz and the absorption range with RL lower than ?5 dB was obtained at 5.8–14.4 GHz for a single-layer absorber filled with 1.98 wt.% OMC at 3.0 mm. If a double-layer structure was adopted, the total thickness of the absorber could be reduced below 2.0 mm and the effective absorption range (RL<?10 dB) could be obtained at 8.9–14.3 GHz with a minimal RL of ?28.5 dB at 10.6 GHz. This work demonstrated that dielectric composites could be used as excellent absorbers by adopting reasonable multilayer structures.     

Research on phosphor-conversion laser-based white light used as optical source of VLC and illumination

Visible light communication (VLC) based on light emitting diodes (LEDs) or laser diodes (LDs) has attracted considerable interest in recent years. Due to the advantages of laser diodes based on nitrides, such as small size, high brightness, visible light and high bandwidth, it can be applied to illumination and communication at the same time. In this paper, blue laser and yellow phosphors were employed to synthesize white light. And “efficiency droop” is not observed in the LIV characteristics of LD-based white light either. The bandwidth measurement system with high reliability was set up. The bandwidth of blue laser diode and phosphor-conversion laser-based white light was measured. The maximum of optical ?3 dB bandwidth of blue LD is around 1.8 GHz at 80 mA and maximum of optical ?3 dB bandwidth of white light is about 1.3 GHz at 60 mA. The color parameters of the synthetic white light were characterized through integrating sphere. Moreover the trends of test data with injection current were analyzed in detail. The problem of thermal degradation of yellow phosphors has been improved by a special design that can keep a certain distance between the blue laser diode and phosphors. The experiment results verified that laser diodes based on nitrides have promising applications in lighting and communications.     

Novel one-dimensional polyaniline/Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 hybrid nanostructure: synthesis,magnetic, and electromagnetic wave absorption properties

For the first time, the novel one-dimensional uniform polyaniline (PANI)/Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ (NZFO) hybrid nanorods were synthesized by an in situ polymerization approach with the assistance of ultrasound and magnetic field. Owing to the unique shape, structure, and chemical composition, the as-synthesized hybrid nanorods with different PANI/NZFO mass ratios possess adjustable magnetic properties, high-saturated magnetization, and coercivity. In addition, these hybrid nanorods present stronger reflection loss and a wider absorption band than pure NZFO. Especially, the hybrid nanorods containing 59 wt% NZFO exhibit excellent microwave absorption properties, with a maximum reflection loss (R _L) of ?27.5 dB observed at 6.2 GHz. And the widest absorption band (R _L ≤ ?10 dB) is 8.1 GHz, corresponding to a matching thin thickness of 2 mm. It is superior to the previously reported value of PANI/ferrite. Therefore, these PANI/NZFO hybrid nanorods may be candidates for lightweight, low-cost, broadband, and highly efficient microwave-absorbing materials.     

High-Bandwidth Q-Band EPR Resonators

The emerging technology of ultra-wide-band spectrometers in electron paramagnetic resonance—enabled by recent technological advances—provides the means for new experimental schemes, a broader range of samples, and huge gains in measurement time. Broadband detection does, however, require that the resonator provides sufficient bandwidth and, despite resonator compensation schemes, excitation bandwidth is ultimately limited by resonator bandwidth. Here, we present the design of three resonators for Q-band frequencies (33–36 GHz) with a larger bandwidth than what was reported so far. The new resonators are of a loop-gap type with 4–6 loops and were designed for 1.6 mm sample tubes to achieve higher field homogeneity than in existing resonators for 3 mm samples, a feature that is beneficial for precise spin control. The loop-gap design provides good separation of the B ₁ and E field, enabling robust modes with powder samples as well as with frozen water samples as the resonant behavior is largely independent of the dielectric properties of the samples. Experiments confirm the trends in bandwidth and field strength and the increased B ₁ field homogeneity predicted by the simulations. Variation of the position of the coupling rod allows the adjustment of the quality factor Q and thus the bandwidth over a broad range. The increased bandwidth of the loop-gap resonators was exploited in double electron–electron resonance measurements of a Cu(II)-PyMTA ruler to yield significantly higher modulation depth and thus higher sensitivity.     

A 14 Gbps vertical cavity surface emitting lasers with transistor outline package

A 14 Gbps vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) with transistor outline package is presented. We analyze the effects of the packaging devices on the high-frequency characteristics of the VCSEL by using an equivalent circuit model. Based on the analyses above, we propose a packaging design and fabricate the prototype. The $-$ 3 dB bandwidth is up to 10.2 GHz, and a clear 14 Gbps eye diagram can be obtained.     

Broadband metamaterial absorber on a single-layer ultrathin substrate

In this article, a broadband metamaterial microwave absorber on a low-cost FR-4 Epoxy substrate is proposed. The unit cell of the absorber consists of a staircase shape metallic patch placed on the top of the metal-backed ultrathin dielectric substrate having a thickness of 1.9 mm (0.07 λ₀). The absorption of more than 90% is achieved with this proposed low profile single-layer microwave absorber throughout the operation band from 8.86 to 15.5 GHz. The performance is analyzed for different values of incident angle, polarization angle, substrate height, and dielectric constant. The surface current and the power loss density at the top and bottom planes at the two absorption peaks of 9.46 and 13.90 GHz are also analyzed to elaborate the absorption mechanism of the structure. Experimental result closely follows the simulated one. The broadband characteristics of the design with relative absorption bandwidth (RAB) of 54.51% at both TE and TM polarizations of incident wave for a wide incident angles makes it versatile for applications in the X and Ku bands of microwave frequencies. The proposed work is very compact (unit cell size: 0.22 λ₀) with ultrathin substrate height (0.07 λ₀) and giving RAB performance of 54.51% comparable with that of others. Thus with this single-layer low-cost substrate material a broadband absorber is achieved.     

A frequency-stabilized Yb:KYW femtosecond laser frequency comb and its application to low-phase-noise microwave generation

We present an optically stabilized Yb:KYW fs-laser frequency comb. We use an f–2f nonlinear interferometer to measure the carrier envelope offset frequency (f ₀) and the heterodyne beatnote between the comb and a stable CW laser at 1068 nm to detect fluctuations in the comb repetition rate ( $f_{\mathrm{rep}}$ f rep ). Both of these degrees of freedom of the comb are then controlled using phase-locked loops. As a demonstration of the frequency-stabilized comb, we generate low-phase-noise 10 GHz microwaves through detection of the pulse train on a high bandwidth photodiode. The phase noise of the resulting 10 GHz microwaves was ?99 dBc/Hz at 1 Hz and the corresponding Allen deviation was <2.6 × 10^?15 at 1 s, measured by comparison to an independently stabilized Ti:sapphire frequency comb. This room-temperature, optically based source of microwaves has close-to-carrier phase noise comparable to the very best cryogenic microwave oscillators.     

Microwave dielectric properties of Ba(Zn<Subscript>1/3</Subscript>Ta<Subscript>2 / 3</Subscript>)O<Subscript>3</Subscript> for application in high power waveguide window

Higher dielectric constant, low dielectric loss and good transmission characteristicshave been the goal for developing the ceramic waveguide window for high power windowapplications. The choice of materials having high k with low dielectric lossand reduced window size is key parameters to achieve maximum microwave transmissionwithout unleashing microwave dissipation. The microwave dielectric properties ofsynthesized Ba(Zn_1/3Ta_{2 /3})O₃ (BZT) ceramics have been studied for high power windowapplications. The structural studies are correlated with microwave dielectric propertiesof BZT. The maximum values of dielectric constant ?_r =30, Q ×f₀ = 102 THz and near zero temperaturecoefficient of resonance frequency were obtained for BZT ceramics sintered at thetemperature of 1550 °Cfor 4 h. The measured results are used to design a tapered transition from air filledwaveguide to narrow (reduced width and height) dielectric filled waveguide using Heckenslinear taper at a specific frequency. The simulation result shows that the lowerreflection loss is obtained for the tapered transition of the narrow BZT window ascompared to the standard waveguide BZT window. The return loss of –34 dB is obtained forS-bandwaveguide window with a bandwidth of 675 MHz. The return loss observed in the narrow BZTwindow is –46 dB with a bandwidth of 570 MHz at a center frequency of 3.63 GHz. Most ofthe disadvantages in conventional windows will be rectified using the design of the tapertransion employing narrow waveguide window in high power applications.     

Frequency-agile,rapid scanning spectroscopy: absorption sensitivity of 2 × 10−12 cm−1 Hz−1/2 with a tunable diode laser

We present ultrasensitive measurements of molecular absorption using frequency-agile rapid scanning, cavity ring-down spectroscopy with an external-cavity diode laser. A microwave source that drives an electro-optic phase modulator with a bandwidth of 20 GHz generates pairs of sidebands on the probe laser. The optical cavity provides for high sensitivity and filters the carrier and all but a single, selected sideband. Absorption spectra were acquired by stepping the tunable sideband from mode-to-mode of the ring-down cavity at a rate that was limited only by the cavity decay time. This approach allows for scanning rates of 8 kHz per cavity resonance, a minimum detectable absorption coefficient of 1.7 × 10^?11 cm^?1 after only 20 ms of averaging, and a noise-equivalent absorption coefficient of 1.7 × 10^?12 cm^?1 Hz^?1/2. By comparison with cavity-enhanced laser absorption spectrometers reported in the literature, the present system is, to the best of our knowledge, among the most sensitive and has by far the highest spectrum scanning rate.     

Beta-manganese dioxide nanorods for sufficient high-temperature electromagnetic interference shielding in X-band

As the development of electronic and communication technology, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and attenuation is an effective strategy to ensure the operation of the electronic devices. Among the materials for high-performance shielding in aerospace industry and related high-temperature working environment, the thermally stable metal oxide semiconductors with narrow band gap are promising candidates. In this work, beta-manganese dioxide (β-MnO₂) nanorods were synthesized by a hydrothermal method. The bulk materials of the β-MnO₂ were fabricated to evaluate the EMI shielding performance in the temperature range of 20–500 °C between 8.2 and 12.4 GHz (X-band). To understand the mechanisms of high-temperature EMI shielding, the contribution of reflection and absorption to EMI shielding was discussed based on temperature-dependent electrical properties and complex permittivity. Highly sufficient shielding effectiveness greater than 20 dB was observed over all the investigated range, suggesting β-MnO₂ nanorods as promising candidates for high-temperature EMI shielding. The results have also established a platform to develop high-temperature EMI shielding materials based on nanoscale semiconductors.     

Wavelength-modulation spectroscopy near 2.5 μm for H2O and temperature in high-pressure and -temperature gases

The design and validation of a tunable diode laser (TDL) sensor for temperature and H₂O in high-pressure and -temperature gases are presented. High-fidelity measurements are enabled through the use of: (1) strong H₂O fundamental-band absorption near 2.5 μm, (2) calibration-free first-harmonic-normalized wavelength-modulation spectroscopy with second-harmonic detection (WMS-2f/1f), (3) an experimentally derived and validated spectroscopic database, and (4) a new approach to selecting the optimal wavelength and modulation depth of each laser. This sensor uses two TDLs near 2,474 and 2,482 nm that were fiber coupled in free space and frequency multiplexed to enable measurements along a single line-of-sight. The lasers were modulated at 35 and 45.5 kHz, respectively, to achieve a sensor bandwidth of 4.5 kHz. This sensor was validated in a shock tube at temperatures and pressures ranging from 1,000 to 2,700 K and 8 to 50 bar. There the sensor resolved transients and recovered the known steady-state temperature and H₂O mole fraction with a precision of 3.2 and 2.6 % RMS, respectively.     

Multi-Frequency EPR and DC Conductivity of Itinerant Spins in Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes

Sealed, deoxygenated single-wall carbon nanotubes show two characteristic electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signals at g = 2.07 and g = 2.00 in the temperature range from 300 to 50 K. Reversible interconversion between both components was observed. The large g-shift and the temperature dependence of the EPR susceptibility of the g = 2.07 signal indicate that this signal can be attributed to itinerant spins. At low temperatures only the g = 2.00 signal remained, which could be further characterized using microwave frequencies up to 320 GHz. The direct current conductivity of a partially aligned sample was also measured. The room temperature value was estimated as 0.7 (Ωcm)^?1. The observed temperature dependence can be described by assuming temperature-activated hopping in a small-gap semiconductor with an activation energy of 3.5 meV, similar to the characteristics of the previously measured 9.4 GHz microwave conductivity.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and X-Band Permittivity Studies of Polypyrrole–Zirconium Composite

The zirconium dioxide-doped polypyrrole composites with different weight percentage were prepared by in situ polymerization methods. The prepared composites were subjected for characterization with different tools like Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra indicate a characteristic peaks which confirms the formation of composites. Scanning electron microscopy image indicates that the metal oxides are agglomerated with polypyrrole due to that the size of the composite particles increases to 7 µm. The real part of permittivity (?′) at X-band measurements of all samples first decrease and then increase in the higher frequency range. Meanwhile, the values of ?″ for polypyrrole–zirconia composites changes spontaneously due to the scattering of free charges explained by Kramers–Kronig relations. The reflection loss graph shows that the maximum reflection loss (RL) reaches up to ?54.6 dB at 10.8 GHz and the effective absorption bandwidth (RL ≤ ?10 dB) is 6.7 GHz.     

Broad band metamaterial absorber based on wheel resonators with lumped elements for microwave energy harvesting

A new metamaterial absorber structure is designed and characterized both numerically and experimentally for microwave energy harvesting applications. The proposed structure includes four wheel resonators with different dimensions, from which the overall response of the structure can then be obtained by summing all the overlapping frequency responses corresponding to each dimension. The essential operation frequency range of the wheels is selected in such a way that the energy used in wireless communications and found within the environment that we live is absorbed. The dimensions are obtained using parametric study and genetic algorithm to realize wideband absorption response. When the simulation and measurement results are taken into account, it is observed that the metamaterial absorber based harvester has potential to absorb and convert microwave energy with an absorption ratio lying within the range of 80 and 99% for the frequency band of 3–5.9 and 7.3–8 GHz. The conversion efficiency of the structure as a harvester is found to be greater than 0.8 in the interval of 2–5 GHz. Furthermore, the incident angle and polarization dependence of the wheel resonator based metamaterial absorber and harvester is also investigated and it is observed that the structure has both polarization and incident angle independent frequency response with good absorption characteristics in the entire working frequency band. Hence, the suggested design having good absorption, polarization and angle independent characteristics with wide bandwidth is a potential candidate for future energy harvester using wireless communication frequency band.     

Design of efficient single-stage chirped pulse difference frequency generation at 7 μm,driven by a dual wavelength Ti:sapphire laser

We present simulations for a design of a high-energy single-stage mid-IR difference frequency generation adapted to a two-color Ti:sapphire amplifier system. The optimized mixing process is based on chirped pulse difference frequency generation (CP-DFG), allowing for a higher conversion efficiency and reduced two-photon absorption losses. The numerical start-to-end simulations include stretching, chirped pulse difference frequency generation and pulse compression. Realistic design parameters for commercially available nonlinear crystals (GaSe, AgGaS₂, LiInSe₂, LiGaSe₂) are considered. Compared with conventional unchirped DFG directly pumped by Ti:sapphire technology, we predict a threefold increase in the quantum efficiency. Our CP-DFG scheme provides up to 340 μJ pulse energy directly at 7.2 μm when pumped with 8 mJ and supports a bandwidth of up to 350 nm. The resulting 240 fs mid-IR pulses are inherently phase stable.     

Application of wavelength-scanned wavelength-modulation spectroscopy H2O absorption measurements in an engineering-scale high-pressure coal gasifier

A real-time, in situ water vapor (H₂O) sensor using a tunable diode laser near 1,352 nm was developed to continuously monitor water vapor in the synthesis gas of an engineering-scale high-pressure coal gasifier. Wavelength-scanned wavelength-modulation spectroscopy with second harmonic detection (WMS-2f) was used to determine the absorption magnitude. The 1f-normalized, WMS-2f signal (WMS-2f/1f) was insensitive to non-absorption transmission losses including beam steering and light scattering by the particulate in the synthesis gas. A fitting strategy was used to simultaneously determine the water vapor mole fraction and the collisional-broadening width of the transition from the scanned 1f-normalized WMS-2f waveform at pressures up to 15 atm, which can be used for large absorbance values. This strategy is analogous to the fitting strategy for wavelength-scanned direct absorption measurements. In a test campaign at the US National Carbon Capture Center, the sensor demonstrated a water vapor detection limit of ~800 ppm (25 Hz bandwidth) at conditions with more than 99.99 % non-absorption transmission losses. Successful unattended monitoring was demonstrated over a 435 h period. Strong correlations between the sensor measurements and transient gasifier operation conditions were observed, demonstrating the capability of laser absorption to monitor the gasification process.     

Tunable microwave photonics filter with dual pass-band based on PM-FBG and PS-FBG

In this paper, a dual pass-band microwave photonics filter with simple, commercial structure is proposed and demonstrated. The key devices are the specially designed polarization maintaining fiber Bragg grating and the phase shift fiber Bragg grating. They are employed to extract out two orthogonally polarized sidebands and remove the undesired sideband, respectively. The simulation results show that without any extra operations or electrical processing, the dual pass-band can be achieved with the two central frequencies of 3.5 GHz and 8 GHz when the frequency spacing between the two orthogonally polarized sidebands is 12 GHz, their 3-dB bandwidth are about 500 MHz. The central frequencies of the two pass-bands can be simply tuned by adjusting the frequency spacing in a range of 4 GHz. In addition, the spurious free dynamic ranges for the two pass-bands are 75.71 dB Hz^2/3 and 70.17 dB Hz^2/3 respectively. Finally, a brief experiment is also carried out to demonstrate the feasibility.