DIELECTRIC WAVEGUIDE-PATH DEVICE

Abstract

Provided is a dielectric waveguide-path device in which it is possible to accurately, effectively, and less-noisily input and output an external signal.

A refractive index n of a dielectric material is larger than a refractive index of the outside in a lateral direction X and/or a vertical direction Y perpendicular to an electromagnetic wave travelling direction Z, the inside of a waveguide-path has slow electromagnetic wave propagation velocity, compared to an area on the outside, the maximum dimension in the lateral direction and/or the vertical direction of the waveguide-path has a dimension which is specified by a formula below, an electric field lateral vibration mode curve in the waveguide-path and an electric field attenuation curve outside of the waveguide-path are continuous on both surfaces in the lateral direction and/or the vertical direction, and an electromagnetic wave is transmitted in the form of a cosine distribution or a sine distribution in the Z direction while being totally reflected by both surfaces. The dielectric waveguide-path device has an input electrode structure or an output electrode structure, in which a plurality of electrodes or electrode portions are arranged at regular intervals with respect to the Z direction, on the inside or the surface thereof.

tan(k.sub.sa/2)=k.sub.f/k.sub.s, or tan(k.sub.sa/2)=k.sub.s/k.sub.f. Here, k.sub.s:

propagation constant of an electromagnetic wave low-speed area, k.sub.f: propagation constant of an electromagnetic wave high-speed area, and a: maximum dimension in the X direction and/or the Y direction of the waveguide-path.

Claims

1. A dielectric waveguide-path device in which a waveguide-path is configured of a dielectric material, and when an electromagnetic wave travelling direction of the waveguide-path is set to be a Z direction and directions perpendicular to the Z direction and perpendicular to each other are set to be an X direction and a Y direction, a refractive index n of the dielectric material of the waveguide-path is larger than a refractive index of the outside in the X direction and/or the Y direction, wherein the waveguide-path inner region has slow electromagnetic wave propagation velocity, compared to an area on the outside in the X direction and/or the Y direction, the maximum dimension in the X direction and/or the Y direction of the waveguide-path has a dimension which is specified by formula 1, whereby a lateral vibration mode curve of an electric field inherent in the waveguide-path and an electric field attenuation curve outside of the waveguide-path are continuous on both surfaces of the waveguide-path in the X direction and/or the Y direction, an electromagnetic wave in a lateral vibration mode of an electric field is transmitted in the form of a cosine distribution or a sine distribution in the Z direction while being totally reflected by both surfaces in the X direction and/or the Y direction of the waveguide-path, and the waveguide-path has an input electrode structure in which a plurality of electrodes or electrode portions extending in the X direction and/or the Y direction are arranged at regular intervals with respect to the Z direction, on the inside or the surface thereof.
tan(k.sub.sa/2)=k.sub.f/k.sub.s, or
tan(k.sub.sa/2)=k.sub.s/k.sub.f [Formula 1] (here, the former expression is an expression when an electromagnetic wave is propagated in a cosine (cos) distribution, and the latter expression is an expression when an electromagnetic wave is propagated in a sine (sin) distribution, k.sub.s: propagation constant of an electromagnetic wave low-speed area, k.sub.f: propagation constant of an electromagnetic wave high-speed area, and a: maximum dimension in the X direction and/or the Y direction of the waveguide-path.)

2. A dielectric waveguide-path device in which a waveguide-path is configured of a dielectric material, and when an electromagnetic wave travelling direction of the waveguide-path is set to be a Z direction and directions perpendicular to the Z direction and perpendicular to each other are set to be an X direction and a Y direction, a refractive index n of the dielectric material of the waveguide-path is larger than a refractive index of the outside in the X direction and/or the Y direction, wherein the waveguide-path inner region has slow electromagnetic wave propagation velocity, compared to an area on the outside in the X direction and/or the Y direction, the maximum dimension in the X direction and/or the Y direction of the waveguide-path has a dimension which is specified by formula 1, whereby a lateral vibration mode curve of an electric field inherent in the waveguide-path and an electric field attenuation curve outside of the waveguide-path are continuous on both surfaces of the waveguide-path in the X direction and/or the Y direction, an electromagnetic wave in a lateral vibration mode of an electric field is transmitted in the form of a cosine distribution or a sine distribution in the Z direction while being totally reflected by both surfaces in the X direction and/or the Y direction of the waveguide-path, the waveguide-path has an output electrode structure in which a plurality of electrodes or electrode portions extending in the X direction and/or the Y direction are arranged at regular intervals with respect to the Z direction, on the inside or the surface thereof.
tan(k.sub.sa/2)=k.sub.f/k.sub.s, or
tan(k.sub.sa/2)=k.sub.s/k.sub.f [Formula 1] (here, the former expression is an expression when an electromagnetic wave is propagated in a cosine (cos) distribution, and the latter expression is an expression when an electromagnetic wave is propagated in a sine (sin) distribution, k.sub.s: propagation constant of an electromagnetic wave low-speed area, k.sub.f: propagation constant of an electromagnetic wave high-speed area, and a: maximum dimension in the X direction and/or the Y direction of the waveguide-path.)

3. The dielectric waveguide-path device according to claim 1, wherein an interval in the Z direction of the plurality of electrodes or electrode portions is an interval of of a wavelength in the electromagnetic wave travelling direction Z, which is determined by a material of a dielectric and the maximum dimension in the X direction and/or the Y direction of the waveguide-path, and the dielectric waveguide-path device is made such that a high-frequency current is applied between the electrodes adjacent to each other, or an electric signal is output from between the electrodes adjacent to each other.

4. The dielectric waveguide-path device according to claim 1, wherein an outer peripheral shape which is configured by the plurality of electrodes or electrode portions has a shape satisfying formula 2. $\begin{array}{cc}{T}_n=\frac{\underset{-\frac{a}{2}}{\overset{\frac{a}{2}}{}}.Math.f\left(x\right).Math.G_n\left(x\right).Math.x}{\sqrt{\underset{-\frac{a}{2}}{\overset{\frac{a}{2}}{}}.Math.f^2\left(x\right).Math.x}.Math.\sqrt{\underset{-\frac{a}{2}}{\overset{\frac{a}{2}}{}}.Math.G_n^2\left(x\right).Math.x}}& \left[\mathrm{Formula}.Math..Math.2\right]\end{array}$ (here, T.sub.n: conversion efficiency from an outer peripheral shape f(x) of the electrode to an electromagnetic wave having an n-th order electric field lateral vibration mode distribution G.sub.n(x), or conversion efficiency from an electromagnetic wave having an n-th order electric field lateral vibration mode distribution G.sub.n(x) to a high-frequency current which is induced in the electrodes having the outer peripheral shape f(x), f(x): outer peripheral shape of the electrodes, G.sub.n(x): n-th order electric field lateral vibration mode distribution, a: maximum dimension in the X direction and/or the Y direction of the waveguide-path, and x: coordinate in the X direction and/or the Y direction of the waveguide-path with a waveguide-path middle position as zero.)

5. The dielectric waveguide-path device according to claim 1, wherein an outer peripheral shape which is configured by the plurality of electrodes or electrode portions has a shape of a portion or the whole of a cosine curve or a sine curve with respect to the waveguide-path width direction.

6. The dielectric waveguide-path device according to claim 1, wherein an outer peripheral shape which is configured by the plurality of electrodes or electrode portions has a rectangular shape.

7. The dielectric waveguide-path device according to claim 1, wherein the dielectric has a shape corresponding to a portion or the whole of a cosine curve or a sine curve, at an end face thereof in the electromagnetic wave travelling direction, or has metal at an end portion thereof.

8. The dielectric waveguide-path device according to claim 1, wherein the dielectric has a rectangular shape in vertical section, a circular shape in vertical section, or an elliptical shape in vertical section.

9. The dielectric waveguide-path device according to claim 1, further comprising: an array of electrodes or electrode portions having an output electrode structure, wherein an electric field lateral vibration mode of the maximum order which is determined by the waveguide-path width is inherent in the waveguide-path.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0062] FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of a dielectric waveguide-path device according to the present invention.

[0063] FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing another example of the dielectric waveguide-path device.

[0064] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of the configuration of electrodes array in the dielectric waveguide-path device according to the present invention.

[0065] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an example in which the outer peripheral shape of array of input electrodes in the dielectric waveguide-path device according to the present invention is formed in a shape corresponding to a lateral vibration mode distribution of an electric field.

[0066] FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) are plan views showing other examples in which the outer peripheral shape of the array of the input electrodes is formed in a shape corresponding to the lateral vibration mode distribution of an electric field.

[0067] FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) are plan views showing still other examples in which the outer peripheral shape of the array of the input electrodes is formed in a shape corresponding to the lateral vibration mode distribution of an electric field.

[0068] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the dielectric waveguide-path device according to the present invention.

[0069] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship of the maximum mode order of a lateral vibration mode to an electrode width in the present invention.

[0070] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a change in the reflection angle of an electromagnetic wave with respect to a change in the width of a dielectric waveguide-path in the present invention.

[0071] FIG. 10(a) is a diagram showing efficiency with respect to a mode order in a rectangular electrode in the present invention, and FIG. 10(b) is a diagram showing efficiency with respect to a mode order in a fundamental mode shape electrode.

[0072] FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b) are diagrams showing a structure example for explaining Example 12.

[0073] FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b) are diagrams showing another structure example for explaining Example 12.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

EXAMPLE 1

Wave-Guiding by Use of Fundamental Mode

[0074] In a case of guiding waves by using a frequency in a fundamental mode, the size of a dielectric (optical glass) of a waveguide-path was set so as to have a width a of 104.480 mm and a thickness (in the Y direction) of 3 mm, copper was used as an electrode material, the cross-sectional shape of an electrode was set to be a circular shape, the overall shape of the electrode was set to be a columnar shape, the dimensions of the electrode were set so as to have a diameter of 2 mm and the maximum width of 104.480 mm, an electrode interval P in a waveguide direction was set to 10.448 mm, and the total length of the electrode was set to 106.480 mm.

EXAMPLE 2

[0075] The size of the dielectric of the waveguide-path was set to be a columnar shape having a diameter (in the direction of the width a) of 104.480 mm, copper was used as the electrode material, the cross-sectional shape of the electrode was set to be a disk shape, the dimensions of the electrode were set so as to have the maximum outer diameter of 104.480 mm, and the electrode interval P was set to 10.448 mm.

EXAMPLE 3

[0076] Yttrium iron garnet crystal (refractive index n.sub.1=2.2000) was used as a dielectric material of the waveguide-path, and each of both outer sides in the width direction was set to be an air layer (refractive index n.sub.2=1.0000). The width of the waveguide-path was set to be 68.248 mm, and the interval P (=/2) between the electrodes was set to be 6.825 mm.

[0077] Further, when a fundamental wave f.sub.1 was set to be 10 GHz and c.sub.0 was set to be 3.00000E+08 m/s, propagation velocity v.sub.1 (=c.sub.0/n.sub.1) in the waveguide-path was 1.36364+08 m/s, propagation velocity v.sub.2 (=c.sub.0/n.sub.2) outside of the waveguide-path was 3.00E+08 m/s, and .sub.s (=n.sub.2/n.sub.1) was 0.45455.

[0078] An electromagnetic wave having a wavelength .sub.1 (=v.sub.1/f.sub.1) of 13.64956 mm could be propagated.

EXAMPLE 4

[0079] Yttrium iron garnet crystal (refractive index n.sub.1=2.2000) was used as the dielectric material of the waveguide-path, and each of both outer sides in the width direction was set to be optical glass (refractive index n.sub.2=1.43875). The width of the waveguide-path was set to be 68.313 mm, and the interval P (=/2) between the electrodes was set to be 6.831 mm.

[0080] Further, when the fundamental wave f.sub.1 was set to be 10 GHz and c.sub.0 was set to be 3.00E+08 m/s, the propagation velocity v.sub.1 (=c.sub.0/n.sub.1) in the waveguide-path was 1.36364E+08 m/s, the propagation velocity v.sub.2 (=c.sub.0/n.sub.2) outside of the waveguide-path was 2.08514E+08 m/s, and .sub.s (=n.sub.2/n.sub.1) was 0.65398.

[0081] An electromagnetic wave having a wavelength .sub.1 (=v.sub.1/f.sub.1) of 13.663 mm could be propagated.

EXAMPLE 5

[0082] Yttrium iron garnet crystal (refractive index n.sub.1=2.2000) was used as the dielectric material of the waveguide-path, and each of both outer sides in the width direction was set to be silicon (refractive index n.sub.2=1.870829). The width of the waveguide-path was set to be 68.384 mm, and the interval P (=/2) between the electrodes was set to be 6.838 mm.

[0083] Further, when the fundamental wave f.sub.1 was set to be 10 GHz and c.sub.0 was set to be 3.00E+08 m/s, the propagation velocity v.sub.1 (=c.sub.0/n.sub.1) in the waveguide-path was 1.36364E+08 m/s, the propagation velocity v.sub.2 (=c.sub.0/n.sub.2) outside of the waveguide-path was 1.60357E+08 m/s, and .sub.s (=n.sub.2/n.sub.1) was set to be 0.85038.

[0084] An electromagnetic wave having a wavelength .sub.1 (=v.sub.1/f.sub.1) of 13.677 mm could be propagated.

EXAMPLE 6

[0085] Zinc oxide (refractive index n.sub.1=2.0000) was used as the dielectric material of the waveguide-path, and each of both outer sides in the width direction was set to be silicon (refractive index n.sub.2=1.87083). The width of the waveguide-path was set to be 75.238 mm, and the interval P (=/2) between the electrodes was set to be 7.524 mm.

[0086] Further, when the fundamental wave f.sub.1 was set to be 10 GHz and c.sub.0 was set to be 3.00E+08 m/s, the propagation velocity v.sub.1 (=c.sub.0/n.sub.1) in the waveguide-path was 1.5E+08 m/s, the propagation velocity v.sub.2 (=c.sub.0/n.sub.2) outside of the waveguide-path was 1.60357E+08 m/s, and .sub.s (=n.sub.2/n.sub.1) was 0.93541.

[0087] An electromagnetic wave having a wavelength .sub.1 (=v.sub.1/f.sub.1) of 15.048 mm could be propagated.

EXAMPLE 7

[0088] Plastic (refractive index n.sub.1=1.7600) was used as the dielectric material of the waveguide-path, and each of both outer sides in the width direction was set to be water (refractive index n.sub.2=1.333000). The width a of the waveguide-path was set to be 85.439 mm, and the interval P (=/2) between the electrodes was set to be 8.544 mm.

[0089] Further, when the fundamental wave f.sub.1 was set to be 10 GHz and c.sub.0 was set to be 3.00E+08 m/s, the propagation velocity v.sub.1 (=c.sub.0/n.sub.1) in the waveguide was 1.705E+08 m/s, the propagation velocity v.sub.2 (=c.sub.0/n.sub.2) outside of the waveguide-path was 2.251E+08 m/s, and .sub.s (=n.sub.2/n.sub.1) was 0.75739.

[0090] An electromagnetic wave having a wavelength .sub.1 (=v.sub.1/f.sub.1) of 17.088 mm could be propagated.

EXAMPLE 8

[0091] Water (refractive index n.sub.1=1.33300) was used as the dielectric material of the waveguide-path, and each of both outer sides in the width direction was set to be air (refractive index n.sub.2=1.00000). The width of the waveguide-path was set to be 112.803 mm, and the interval P (=/2) between the electrodes was set to be 11.28 mm. Further, when the fundamental wave f.sub.1 was set to be 10 GHz and c.sub.0 was set to be 3.00E+08 m/s, the propagation velocity v.sub.1 (=c.sub.0/n.sub.1) in the waveguide was 2.251E+08 m/s, the propagation velocity v.sub.2 (=c.sub.0/n.sub.2) outside of the waveguide-path was 3.00E+08 m/s, and .sub.s (=n.sub.2/n.sub.1) was 0.75019.

[0092] An electromagnetic wave having a wavelength .sub.1 (=v.sub.1/f.sub.1) of 22.561 mm could be propagated.

EXAMPLE 9

[0093] Optical glass (refractive index n.sub.1=1.43875) was used as the dielectric material of the waveguide-path, and each of both outer sides in the width direction was set to be air (refractive index n.sub.2=1.00000). The width of the waveguide-path was set to be 104.480 mm, and the interval P (=/2) between the electrodes was set to be 10.448 mm.

[0094] Further, when the fundamental wave f.sub.1 was set to be 10 GHz and c.sub.0 was set to be 3.00E+08 m/s, the propagation velocity v.sub.1 (=c.sub.0/n.sub.1) in the waveguide-path was 2.08514E+08 m/s, the propagation velocity v.sub.2 (=c.sub.0/n.sub.2) outside of the waveguide-path was 3.00000E+08 m/s, and .sub.s (=n.sub.2/n.sub.1) was 0.69505.

[0095] An electromagnetic wave having a wavelength X.sub.1 (=v.sub.1/f.sub.1) of 20.896 mm could be propagated.

EXAMPLE 11

[0096] Silicon (refractive index n.sub.1=1.83030) was used as the dielectric material of the waveguide-path, and each of both outer sides in the width direction was set to be air (refractive index n.sub.2=1.00000). The width of the waveguide-path was set to be 82.066 mm, and the interval P (=/2) between the electrodes was set to be 8.207 mm.

[0097] Further, when the fundamental wave f.sub.1 was set to be 10 GHz and c.sub.0 was set to be 3.00E+08 m/s, the propagation velocity v.sub.1 (=c.sub.0/n.sub.1) in the waveguide-path was 1.63908E+08 m/s, the propagation velocity v.sub.2 (=c.sub.0/n.sub.2) outside of the waveguide-path was 3.00000E+08 m/s, and .sub.s (=n.sub.2/n.sub.1) was 0.54636.

[0098] An electromagnetic wave having a wavelength .sub.1 (=v.sub.1/f.sub.1) of 16.413 mm could be propagated.

EXAMPLE 12

[0099] Potassium tantalum niobium oxide crystal (refractive index n.sub.2=2.2000) was used as the dielectric material, and a waveguide-path part having a refractive index n.sub.1 of 2.20132 by applying an electric field to a central portion, and both outer parts, were configured, for example, by adopting a sandwich structure shown in FIG. 11 or a planar structure shown in FIG. 12 for electric field application electrodes. The width of the waveguide-path was set to be 68.181 mm, and the interval P (=/2) between the electrodes was set to be 6.818 mm.

[0100] Further, when the fundamental wave f.sub.1 was set to be 10 GHz and c.sub.0 was set to be 3.00E+08 m/s, the propagation velocity v.sub.1 (=c.sub.0/n.sub.1) in the waveguide-path was 1.36282E+08 m/s, the propagation velocity v.sub.2 (=c.sub.0/n.sub.2) outside of the waveguide-path was 1.36364E+08 m/s, and .sub.s (=n.sub.2/n.sub.1) was set to be 0.9994.

[0101] An electromagnetic wave having a wavelength .sub.1 (=v.sub.1/f.sub.1) of 13.636 mm could be propagated.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0102] 10: waveguide

[0103] 11: dielectric

[0104] 12, 13: input electrode

[0105] 22, 23: output electrode