TWI651548B - Volume based gradient index lens by additive manufacturing - Google Patents

Abstract

The technique is for forming a gradient index (GRIN) lens for propagating an electromagnetic wave, comprising: receiving a model containing data of a specified plurality of layers by a manufacturing device having one or more processors At least one layer of the plurality of layers comprising a configuration of one or more volume elements, the one or more volume elements comprising a first dielectric material and a second dielectric material, wherein the at least one of the plurality of layers One layer has a dielectric constant distribution consisting of a plurality of different effective dielectric constants of the equal volume elements in the layer; and based on the model, the manufacturing apparatus is used to generate by a lamination process The GRIN lens.

Description

Volume-based gradient index lens fabricated by lamination

The disclosure relates to the fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) structures. In particular, the present disclosure relates to the process of 3D optical structures.

The available RF spectrum is often subject to jurisdictional regulations and standards. The ever-increasing bandwidth requirements (ie, increased data throughput) have led to the emergence of several wireless peer-to-peer technologies that provide fiber data rates and support dense deployment architectures. The millimeter wave communication system can be used for this function, providing short link, high data rate, low cost, high density, high security, and low transmission power operation benefits.

These advantages make the millimeter wave communication system facilitate the transmission of various different waves in the radio frequency spectrum. Coaxial cables can be used to carry such millimeter waves, but it is still extremely expensive to incorporate these cables into millimeter wave communication systems.

Manufacturing techniques for fabricating millimeter wave or optical devices and other structures include bulk machining techniques such as grinding lenses; precision molding to create aspheric surfaces; and planar techniques to create thin film devices. These processes typically produce components that need to be assembled into the system. Examples of fabricated millimeter wave or optical devices include a solid gradient index (GRIN) lens that can take the form of a conventional lenticular lens.

Known manufacturing methods that produce structures for radio frequency and acoustic systems, such as GRIN lenses, may require energy consuming processing and may be time consuming. GRIN lenses have been fabricated using several techniques including neutron irradiation, chemical vapor deposition, partial polymerization, ion exchange, and ion packing.

In general, the present disclosure relates to lenses and techniques for forming lenses. For example, the present disclosure illustrates the formation of gradient index (GRIN) lenses for use with a variety of different radio frequency (RF) frequencies. For example, in accordance with the techniques of the present disclosure, a GRIN lens can be formed by an additive manufacturing process, such as by printing with a 3D printer, where the surface of the lens can be flat, curved, or stepped. The material forming the lens can be printed as a pattern having a controlled amount of sub-wavelength gap to control local density, effective local dielectric constant, or effective local relative permittivity, and local refractive index. These local parameters can be continuously varied throughout the volume of the lens to produce a lens with independently controlled optical performance and solid shape, such as those listed by a 3D printer.

In one example of a method of forming a gradient index (GRIN) lens for propagating electromagnetic waves, the method includes receiving data comprising a specified plurality of layers by a manufacturing device having one or more processors a model wherein at least one of the plurality of layers comprises a configuration of one or more volume elements, the one or more volume elements comprising a first dielectric material and a second dielectric material, wherein the The at least one layer of the plurality of layers has a dielectric constant distribution consisting of a plurality of different effective dielectric constants of the equal volume elements in the layer; and using the manufacturing apparatus by a layer based on the model The process produces the GRIN lens.

In another example, a gradient index (GRIN) lens for propagating electromagnetic waves, the lens comprising: a plurality of layers that are sequentially formed to include a plurality of volume elements, wherein at least one of the plurality of layers An arrangement comprising the one or more volume elements, the one or more volume elements comprising a first dielectric material and a second dielectric material, wherein the equal volume elements are formed by a laminate process, wherein the plurality The at least one layer of the layers has a dielectric constant distribution consisting of a plurality of different effective dielectric constants of the equal volume elements in the layer, and wherein each of the local effective dielectric constants is the following Function of: a volume ratio of the first dielectric material to the second dielectric material in each of the volume elements, a dielectric constant of the first dielectric material, and a dielectric with the second dielectric material constant.

The details of one or more examples of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and description. Other features, objects, and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the description and appended claims.

10‧‧‧ Environment

14‧‧‧ Computing device

18‧‧‧ keyboard

20‧‧‧ display device

22‧‧‧Model

24‧‧‧Laminated manufacturing equipment

30‧‧‧Modeled application

34‧‧‧Operating system

36‧‧‧Data storage device

38‧‧‧ Processor

40‧‧‧ Input/Output

42‧‧‧GRIN lens data

44‧‧‧AM device management

50‧‧‧GRIN lens focusing environment

52‧‧‧Band

54‧‧‧3D GRIN lens

56‧‧‧Electromagnetic waves

58‧‧‧ points

60‧‧‧port

100‧‧‧unit grid

102‧‧‧ dielectric materials

104‧‧‧ dielectric materials

110‧‧‧unit grid

112‧‧‧Dielectric materials

114‧‧‧Dielectric materials

120‧‧‧unit grid

130‧‧‧Dielectric materials

132‧‧‧ dielectric materials

134‧‧‧ dielectric materials

136‧‧‧ dielectric materials

200‧‧・spoke design

202‧‧‧Sleeve ring

204‧‧‧Sleeve ring

206‧‧‧Spoke ring

208‧‧‧Sleeve ring

210‧‧‧Sleeve ring

212‧‧‧ spoke ring

214‧‧‧ circle

222‧‧‧ gap

224‧‧‧ gap

250‧‧‧Circular design

252‧‧‧ Ring

254‧‧‧ Ring

256‧‧‧ ring

258‧‧‧ ring

260‧‧‧ circle

262‧‧‧ gap

264‧‧‧ gap

300A‧‧·spoke and ring design

300B‧‧‧ring and spoke design

302A‧‧ Circle

304A‧‧·spoke layer

304B‧‧‧ spokes

306A‧‧‧ annular layer

306B‧‧‧ annular layer

308A‧‧‧ gap

308B‧‧‧ gap

320‧‧‧ spoke and ring design

322‧‧‧ Center

324‧‧‧ spoke annular layer

326‧‧‧ annular layer

328‧‧‧ gap

330‧‧‧Ring and spoke design

332‧‧‧ Center

334‧‧‧ spoke layer

336‧‧‧ annular layer

338‧‧‧ gap

402‧‧‧ density

404‧‧‧ Radius

406‧‧‧ line

500‧‧‧ Chart

502‧‧‧ Chart

504‧‧‧ Gain pattern

506‧‧‧ Gain pattern

600‧‧‧ concept map

602‧‧‧GRIN lens

604‧‧‧ waves

606‧‧‧ Focus

610‧‧‧stepped GRIN lens

612A‧‧ layer

612B‧‧ layer

614A‧‧ layer

614B‧‧ layer

626A‧‧ layer

626B‧‧ layer

630‧‧‧ concept map

634‧‧‧ waves

636‧‧‧ Focusing waves

640‧‧‧ concept map

644‧‧‧ waves

646‧‧‧ focused waves

700‧‧‧Non-woven structure

702‧‧‧GRIN lens

710‧‧‧Non-woven structure

712‧‧‧GRIN lens

802‧‧‧first dielectric material and second dielectric material

804‧‧‧GRIN lens

1 is a block diagram showing an example of a three-dimensional (3D) gradient index (GRIN) lens generating environment.

2 is a block diagram showing an example of a computing device that operates in accordance with the techniques described herein.

3A-3B are conceptual diagrams showing an example of a 3D GRIN lens focusing environment.

4 is a diagram showing an example of a conceptual three-dimensional unit cell having a first dielectric material and a second dielectric material in a respective volume.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of a conceptual three-dimensional unit lattice having a first dielectric material and a second dielectric material in a respective volume.

6 is a diagram showing an example of an array of conceptual three-dimensional unit grids having one volume of respective volumes based on each three-dimensional unit grid in the three-dimensional unit grid array.

7 is a diagram showing an example of an array of digital three-dimensional pixels structured in a spoke design.

8 is a diagram showing another example of an array of digital three-dimensional pixels structured in a ring design.

9A-9B are diagrams showing an example of an array of digital three-dimensional pixels, which are structured in a combination of a spoke design and a ring design to form a spoke and ring design, and a ring. Shape and spoke design.

10 is a diagram showing an example of an array of solid three-dimensional pixels structured in a spoke and ring design.

11 is a diagram showing an example of an array of solid three-dimensional pixels structured in a ring and spoke design.

Figure 12 is a graph showing an example of the density of a first dielectric material according to one of the radii of a 3D GRIN lens.

13A-13B are graphs showing examples of measured gain patterns that do not use a GRIN lens but use a GRINS lens as described in FIGS. 10-11.

Figure 14 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a focusing effect of a first dielectric material having a single dielectric constant and a structure having a lenticular lens.

Figure 15 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a stepped GRIN lens comprising two or more dielectric materials having a stepped dielectric constant distribution and a focusing effect similar to a biconvex GRIN lens.

16 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of focusing effects of two or more dielectric materials that form a stepped dielectric constant distribution in accordance with one or more techniques disclosed herein.

17 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of focusing effects of two or more dielectric materials that form a stepped dielectric constant distribution in accordance with one or more techniques disclosed herein.

18 illustrates an example of a nonwoven structure having two or more dielectric materials in accordance with one or more techniques disclosed herein.

19 illustrates another example of a nonwoven structure having two or more dielectric materials in accordance with one or more techniques disclosed herein.

20 is a flow chart showing an example procedure for a laminate manufacturing apparatus that produces a 3D GRIN lens having two or more dielectric materials in accordance with the techniques disclosed herein.

The present disclosure describes techniques for creating, customizing, and producing gradient index (GRIN) lenses that correspond to a different GRIN lens structure while maintaining a similar dielectric constant distribution. For example, the technical department is described as being used to build a virtual environment The digital GRIN lens represents, obtains information therefrom, and produces a physical GRIN lens corresponding to the digital GRIN lens representation through a layered fabrication technique. Moreover, at least some aspects of the present disclosure are directed to techniques for managing multiple aspects of a GRIN lens, such as dielectric constant, shape, or the like. The term "dielectric constant" as used herein refers to the relative permittivity of a solid GRIN lens, and the terms "dielectric constant" and "relative permittivity" are used interchangeably.

In general, a GRIN lens can include a physical GRIN lens and a digital GRIN lens representation. A solid GRIN lens generally refers to a physical object having a general boundary, weight, and shape that is used to focus light, including infrared and ultraviolet light, or other electromagnetic signals, such as, for example, having a frequency from 30 to 300 GHz. Extremely High Frequency (EHF) signal. The physical GRIN lens may comprise an article obtained after being built, molded, or produced based on a digital GRIN lens representation, such as by a computer numerical control (CNC) machine, a 3D printer, or the like.

Using the techniques of the present disclosure, a GRIN lens can be printed for use at an RF frequency by a laminate manufacturing apparatus, such as a 3D printer, wherein the surface of the lens can be flat, curved or stepped, and the material can be printed as A pattern having a controlled amount of sub-wavelength gaps to control local density, effective local dielectric constant, and local refractive index. These local parameters can be continuously varied throughout the volume of the lens to produce a lens with independently controlled optical performance and solid shape, such as by a laminate manufacturing device. Refractive index control for dimensions x, y, and z enables a unique configuration that provides a lens function, It also provides control of many aberrations (including spherical and chromatic aberrations) and also provides design freedom for the lens surface.

Moreover, with one or more of the techniques described in this disclosure, lenses having a wide variety of shapes or contours can be created to conform to any desired dielectric constant distribution, such as the dielectric constant distribution of a biconvex GRIN lens. Solid GRIN lenses are available in a variety of different shapes and sizes. By way of an example, a solid GRIN lens can have a diameter of 50 millimeters (mm) and a thickness of 7.8 mm. In some cases, a solid GRIN lens can have a known shape and/or size that conforms to the standard. For example, the lens may be formed using conventional lens shapes, such as convex lenses and/or concave lenses; or may be formed in other known shapes, and may not be limited to geometric shapes such as square, rectangular, circular, or the like. In some examples, a solid GRIN lens can have various contours (continuous or otherwise), such as a curved contour and a flat contour. Moreover, in one example, the size of the lens, such as the diameter, can be less than a specified number of wavelengths, such as 10 wavelengths. In other cases, the physical GRIN lens can have a non-normalized shape, and/or an irregular size, using one or more of the techniques described in this disclosure.

The term "digital GRIN lens representation" as used herein is an exponential object having information and/or imaginary boundaries, such as the number of voxels per layer, and each voxel is dielectrically based on one of a plurality of effective dielectric constants. The effective dielectric constant necessary for the constant distribution. Digital GRIN lens representations can be generated using digital inputs. Digital inputs can include, for example, a keyboard, a touch screen, a mouse, or the like.

In some cases, a digital GRIN lens representation is created in a virtual space and can be a representation of a physical GRIN lens. A virtual space can refer to, for example, a Computer Aided Design (CAD) environment that allows a user to manually create or A digital GRIN lens representation with desired parameters such as shape, size, and dielectric constant distribution is automatically generated. A virtual space can be called a modeled space, a workspace, or the like.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a GRIN lens generating environment 10. In the example of FIG. 1, GRIN lens generating environment 10 includes a computing device 14 that causes Additive Manufacturing (AM) device 24 to generate one or more physical GRIN lenses from model 22 represented by a digital GRIN lens. As described herein, computing device 14 provides an execution environment for one or more software applications that, as described, can efficiently generate and edit GRIN lens content for a large number of digital GRIN lens representations. In this example, a digital GRIN lens representation may be previously stored by computing device 14. As described, the computing device 14 and the software application executing thereon can perform various manufacturing related operations, including automatically generating a model 22 of a digital GRIN lens representation, and automatically fabricating an entity representing the model 22 using an overlay manufacturing (AM) device 24. GRIN lens.

In an exemplary implementation, computing device 14 includes display device 20 and keyboard 18, among other components. Moreover, although not shown in FIG. 1, computing device 14 may include one or more processors, microprocessors, internal memory and/or data storage devices, and others for executing software or firmware to provide the context herein. The functional electronic circuit system described.

Display device 20 may include, for example, an electronic addressable display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), or other type of display device for use with computing device 14. In some implementations, computing device 14 generates content to display various views of the digital GRIN lens representation on display device 20, such as top view, bottom view, exploded view, layer by layer A layer by layer view, a voxel by voxel view, or the like. In some cases, computing device 14 may communicate display information for display by other devices, such as a tablet, projector, or other external device.

Keyboard 18 may include, for example, a physical user interface (such as a button) or other type of physical user interface device for use with computing device 14. In some cases, computing device 14 may generate model 22 based on information received from a user (not shown) by keyboard 18.

As described herein, computing device 14 and the soft system executing thereon provide a platform for establishing and manipulating a digital GRIN lens representation representative of a physical GRIN lens. For example, in general, computing device 14 is configured to create and/or generate a model 22 of a digital GRIN lens representation. In some examples, model 22 is established by a user (not shown). In other examples, model 22 is stored in a database, as described in FIG. Computing device 14 may provide AM device 24 data representative of model 22 to enable AM device 24 to fabricate at least one physical GRIN lens (not shown) based on model 22.

The AM device 24 is a device capable of manufacturing a three-dimensional physical object from a digital model. In one example, the AM device 24 is a 3D printer that can be printed using a laminate process in which successive layers of material are laid in different shapes and/or line widths. This material lamination is different from conventional processing methods, which may rely on cutting or drilling to remove material, also known as subtractive processes. In some examples, AM device 24 may use a two-photon photopolymerization process to create a three-dimensional (3D) structure having micrometer or nanoscale resolution. An example of a two-photon photopolymerization process is U.S. Patent No. 6,855,478 issued toK.

As further explained below, computing device 14 may implement techniques for automatically generating a model 22 of a digital GRIN lens representation and extracting information, content, or other characteristics associated with each digital GRIN lens representation. For example, computing device 14 may allow a user to fine-tune the techniques used by computing device 14 to produce one or more models of digital GRIN lens representations, such as model 22. In accordance with the techniques described herein, computing device 14 may implement techniques for automatically generating a model 22 of a digital GRIN lens representation by processing a plurality of layers having a plurality of effective dielectric constants based on an overall dielectric constant distribution. . Computing device 14 may provide an alternate shape and/or size of model 22 based on a configuration of a plurality of effective dielectric constants in a plurality of layers that correspond to an overall dielectric constant distribution.

In some examples, the overall dielectric constant distribution of model 22 can include a plurality of effective dielectric constants defined by a plurality of voxels, and each voxel of model 22 can include a volume associated with a first dielectric constant. a first dielectric material and a volume of a second dielectric material associated with a second dielectric constant. In other examples, the plurality of voxels of model 22 can include a configuration of one or more volume elements having a configuration of one or more lines formed by a lamination process. In other examples, the overall dielectric constant distribution can comprise a plurality of effective dielectric constants defined by a plurality of layers, wherein each layer can comprise a volume of a first dielectric material associated with a first dielectric constant and a A second dielectric material of volume associated with a second dielectric constant. In some examples, the first dielectric material can comprise an associated photoreactive resin (eg, having a relative dielectric constant of 2.8), and the second dielectric material can comprise air (with an associated relative dielectric constant of about 1) ). The absolute dielectric constant of air is close to the dielectric constant of vacuum, which is approximately 8.8541878176 x 10 ^-12 F/m. The relative dielectric constant of 2.8 represents that its absolute dielectric constant is 2.8 times greater than the dielectric constant of vacuum.

A voxel can be a volume element and can represent one of the values on one of the regular grids in three dimensions. In some examples, a voxel may also be an array of volume elements that make up a conceptual three-dimensional space. That is, each of the plurality of voxels may form an array of discrete volume elements, and one of the three-dimensional objects represents a segmentable into discrete volume elements. In some examples, a voxel can be a volume element, wherein the volume element comprises one or more dielectric materials of a particular volume (amount). For example, in some cases, a voxel may be composed entirely of one volume of a first dielectric material, thereby providing the voxel with an effective dielectric constant equal to the dielectric constant of the first dielectric material. In other examples, a voxel can include a volume of a combination of a first dielectric material and a second dielectric material such that the effective dielectric constant of the voxel is effectively dependent on the one or more dielectric materials. The respective dielectric constants vary.

A layer can be a plurality of volume elements and represents a plurality of values on a regular grid in three-dimensional space. In some examples, a layer can have a plurality of voxels such that the plurality of voxels can include a plurality of volumes between one or more dielectric materials. In other examples, a layer can have a plurality of effective dielectric constants, such as defined by a plurality of volumes of the one or more effective dielectric constants.

In accordance with the techniques of the present disclosure, based on the model 22, the AM device 24 can vary the ratio of the one or more dielectric materials, such as the ratio of the first dielectric material to the second dielectric material. For example, the ratio may vary on a per-pixel basis or on a layer-by-layer basis. In one example of the ratio between the first and second dielectric materials, the higher the ratio, the density and effective dielectric constant of the unit lattice (eg, a voxel) and the first dielectric material (eg, bulk 3D) The closer the dielectric constant of the printing material is. The lower the ratio, the closer the effective dielectric constant of the unit cell is to the dielectric constant of the second dielectric material (e.g., free space, air, or any medium into which the physical GRIN lens structure is immersed).

In an exemplary implementation, a voxel may be composed entirely of one volume of a first dielectric material, such as a thermoplastic resin or photoreactive resin having an associated dielectric constant of 2.8. In this example, since the voxel is entirely composed of the first dielectric material having an associated dielectric constant of 2.8, the voxel has an effective dielectric constant of 2.8. In another example, a voxel can be composed of a plurality of (eg, two or more) different dielectric materials of respective volumes, such as a first dielectric material having an associated first dielectric constant of 2.8 (eg, A thermoplastic resin, a photoreactive resin) and a second dielectric material (for example, air) having an associated dielectric constant of 1. In some examples, the dielectric material can be a solid, a liquid, or a gas. In other examples, the effective dielectric constant of the voxel is effectively varied depending on the volume between the first dielectric material and the second dielectric material and its respective dielectric constant.

In another exemplary implementation, a digital GRIN lens representation on the computing device 14 represents a modeling application that can divide the model 22 into a plurality of layers representing a plurality of different effective dielectric constants in a dielectric constant distribution. In some exemplary implementations, for each of the plurality of effective dielectric constants, computing device 14 can generate one or more layers in the layers, the one or more layers having an effective dielectric constant corresponding to each layer One or more dielectric materials. According to this layer method, the dielectric constants from different layers are detected and used for the most The volume of one or more dielectric materials in each of the layers of the other physical GRIN lens is ultimately defined. Thus, each of the plurality of digital GRIN lens representations produced by the modeled application 30 by the digital GRIN lens can be represented by a plurality of layers. In some examples, model 22 may represent different effective dielectric constants of the layers by different colors. In other examples, the plurality of layers of the model 22 can include a configuration of one or more volume elements having one of one or more lines formed by a laminate process.

In some exemplary implementations, a GRIN lens formed in accordance with the techniques of the present disclosure may be used to provide a focusing function. In other exemplary implementations, GRIN lenses formed in accordance with the techniques of the present disclosure may be used to create an anti-reflective coating and/or layer. In still other exemplary implementations, computing device 14 provides functionality by which a user can derive a digital GRIN lens representation to other systems, such as a cloud-based repository (eg, a cloud server) or other computing device (eg, a computer system or Mobile device) (not shown).

In the example of FIG. 1, computing device 14 is illustrated as a desktop computer for purposes of example. However, in other examples, computing device 14 can be a tablet, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smart phone, a laptop, or any other type of computing or non-computing suitable for performing the techniques described herein. A computing device used.

2 is a block diagram showing an example of a computing device that operates in accordance with the techniques described herein. For purposes of example, the computing device 14 of FIG. 2 will be described in accordance with computing device 14 of FIG.

In this example, computing device 14 includes various hardware components that provide core functionality for device operation. For example, computing device 14 includes one or more programmable processors 38 that are configured to operate in accordance with executable instructions (ie, code) that are The data is typically stored in a computer readable medium or data store 36, such as a static random access memory (SRAM) device or a flash memory device. Input/output (I/O) 40 may include one or more devices, such as a keyboard 18 (as illustrated in FIG. 1), a mouse, a trackball, or display device 20 (as illustrated in FIG. 1) and provided Wireless communication with other devices, such as a cloud server, computer system, or AM device 24 (as illustrated in Figure 1), through a wireless or wired communication interface (as illustrated in Figure 1), such as but not limited to high Frequency radio frequency (RF) signal or universal serial bus (USB) connection. In another example, computing device 14 of FIG. 1 includes AM device management module 44 and GRIN lens data 42. Computing device 14 may include additional discrete digital logic or analog electronic circuitry, which is not shown in FIG.

The GRIN lens data 42 can be a library of GRIN lens models, including, for example, the model 22 illustrated in FIG. In some examples, the modeling application 30 can store the GRIN lens model in the GRIN lens data 42. In other examples, the modeling application 30 can retrieve the GRIN lens model from the GRIN lens data 42.

The AM device management 44 can control the AM device 24 as illustrated in FIG. In some examples, modeling application 30 may retrieve a GRIN lens model from GRIN lens data 42 and output the GRIN lens model to AM device 24. In other examples, AM device management 44 may control AM device 24 using model 22 from modeling application 30, which may have captured model 22 from GRIN lens data 42 or generated a model from user input. twenty two.

In general, operating system 34 is executed on processor 38 and provides a working environment for one or more user applications, including modeling application 30. For example, the user application includes storage in a computer readable storage device (eg, data The executable code of storage device 36) is executable by processor 38. As a further example, the user application can include firmware or, in some instances, can be implemented in discrete logic.

In operation, computing device 14 receives user input from a user via I/O 40 (such as keyboard 18 illustrated in Figure 1) and processes the user input in accordance with the techniques described herein. For example, the modeling application 30 can generate a model 22 (as illustrated in FIG. 1) in a virtual space based on a plurality of layers, and each layer is composed of a stereo pixel array having one or more dielectric materials of a plurality of volumes. Composition. As another example, computing device 14 may receive digital GRIN lens representation data from an internal source (such as GRIN lens data 42) or an external source (such as a cloud server, computer system, or mobile device) via I/O 40. In general, computing device 14 stores digital GRIN lens representation data in GRIN lens data 42 for access and processing by modeling application 30 and/or other user applications.

As shown in FIG. 2, the modeling application 30 can invoke the core functions of the operating system 34 to output data for presenting information to a user of a computing device (such as computing device 14 illustrated in FIG. 1). As further explained below, the modeling application 30 can generate a graphical user interface to provide an improved electronic environment for generating and manipulating the model 22 representing the corresponding digital GRIN lens representation of the physical GRIN lens. For example, the modeling application 30 can generate a graphical user interface to include mechanisms that allow the user to easily select the shape and size of one or more digital GRIN lens representations based on the desired dielectric constant distribution. In some examples, the desired dielectric constant distribution is selected to enable the GRIN lens to focus electromagnetic waves. In other examples, the electromagnetic waves are in the millimeter band.

As described in further detail below, the modeling application 30 can utilize an automated GRIN lens profile technique that divides the model 22 (as illustrated in Figure 1) into a plurality of layers. The modeling application 30 can configure a plurality of voxels for each layer based on the desired shape and/or size of the plurality of effective dielectric constants corresponding to the desired dielectric constant distribution. According to the voxel method, each voxel can be individually defined as having one or more dielectric materials in each layer of the model 22. Each of the voxels has an effective dielectric constant based on a volume of each of the one or more dielectric materials in the voxel, and a local dielectric constant at a given position within the plurality of layers may correspond to a desired Dielectric constant distribution. In some cases, for example, the modeling application 30 can generate the model 22 based on user input selecting the desired size and shape of the GRIN lens (having a dielectric constant distribution) to be formed, thereby providing The functionality, such as an imaging lens. In other cases, the imaging lens can be similar to the functionality of a solid biconvex GRIN lens. Additionally, the modeling application 30 can output the model 22 to the AM device management 44 to control the AM device 24, as illustrated in FIG.

To generate the model 22, the modeling application 30 can create a plurality of layers, each of which has a plurality of effective dielectric constants corresponding to the desired dielectric constant distribution, thereby providing the desired functionality, such as an imaging lens, which is similar to a solid single The functionality of the dielectric constant lenticular lens. In some examples, the modeling application 30 can individually define the dielectric constant of each layer by controlling the volume of one or more dielectric materials in each of the voxels in a layer to individually define the effective dielectric constant of each of the voxels. In other examples, the modeling application 30 can define the layers by one volume of two or more dielectric materials such that the volume of the two or more dielectric materials corresponds to a plurality of layers across the layers Effective dielectric constant, And as part of a whole dielectric constant distribution to change the dielectric constant of each layer. Thus, in this example, each of the plurality of digital GRIN lens representations generated by the modeling application 30 for a given dielectric constant distribution, such as a lenticular dielectric constant distribution, may also have different shapes and/or A plurality of other digital GRIN lens representations of the size are representative, and all of these other digital GRIN lens representations correspond to the functionality of the imaging lens, such as a lenticular lens. In this manner, the modeling application 30 can be used to produce lens functionality (or wavefront manipulation) for fabricating a custom shape and size (eg, form factor) that also results in approximation of conventional lenticular functionality. A material of a GRIN lens with a dielectric constant distribution.

3A-3B illustrate an example of a three-dimensional (3D) GRIN lens focusing environment 50. In the example of a GRIN lens focusing environment 50, it includes FIG. 3A having a waveguide 52 configured to direct transmission of electromagnetic waves 56 (such as electromagnetic waves having a frequency of approximately 60 GHz), and having a 3D GRIN lens 54 to focus the electromagnetic waves (such as The electromagnetic wave 56 is focused on Figure 3B of point 58).

In the example of FIGS. 3A and 3B, the waveguide 52 is a structure for guiding and emitting electromagnetic waves 56. Waveguide 52 is generally intended to confine the signal to travel in one dimension. In open space, electromagnetic waves 56 are generally propagated in all directions by spherical waves. When this occurs, the electromagnetic wave 56 loses its power in proportion to the square of the distance traveled. Under ideal conditions, when waveguide 52 confines electromagnetic waves only in a single direction, the waves lose little or no power when propagating.

In the example of Figures 3A and 3B, the waveguide 52 is of a structure having an opening (e.g., a flange) at each end of its length, two openings, or ports (e.g., ports) 60) is connected by a hollow portion along the inner length of the waveguide 52. The waveguide 52 can be made, for example, of copper, brass, silver, aluminum, or other metal having a low bulk resistivity. In some examples, if the inner wall of the waveguide 52 is plated with a low bulk resistivity metal, the waveguide 52 can be made of a metal, plastic or other non-conductive material that is poorly conductive. Moreover, although not shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the waveguide 52 can be coupled to an antenna, a dielectric coupling lens, or other electronic component to provide the functionality described herein.

In the example of FIG. 3A, the 3D GRIN lens 54 can comprise a GRIN lens fabricated using the techniques described herein. In some examples, the 3D GRIN lens 54 can have a dielectric constant distribution or relative permittivity and functionality, such as for providing a focusing effect on the electromagnetic wave 56 that is similar to that provided by conventional biconvex GRIN lenses, but with different The physical structure and form factor. For example, the 3D GRIN lens 54 can be flat, curved, or any laminate that can be used to create contours, shapes, and/or sizes while still producing focusing effects similar to conventional GRIN lenses, such as lenticular lenses (because of similar Dielectric constant distribution). In other examples, the 3D GRIN lens 54 can improve bandwidth, such as by reducing chromatic aberration, to provide functionality over a larger sweep width than conventional convex lenses.

In still other examples, the 3D GRIN lens 54 can have a flat profile that can be more easily attached and mounted to other physical items. In some examples, the 3D GRIN lens 54 can be designed to pass a gas or liquid through one of the dielectric materials in its structure, in a solid biconvex GRIN lens that is a single dielectric material of a single dielectric constant throughout the lens. This feature may not be reached. In other examples, the 3D GRIN lens 54 can be designed to have a specific porosity to filter a gas or liquid through one of the dielectric materials in its structure, which may not be achieved in a solid biconvex GRIN lens. In some real In the example, the gap size within the 3D GRIN lens 54 can be controlled by a lamination process to meet specific filtering requirements. In still other examples, a 3D GRIN lens 54 can be used to create a non-reflective coating and/or layer. In some examples, the 3D GRIN lens 54 can achieve polarity selectivity based on the configuration of two or more dielectric materials. In other examples, the 3D GRIN lens 54 can be produced by the AM device 24 using a series of print materials having a range of associated dielectric constants. In some instances, it may be advantageous to use only a single (or small) 3D printing material and print in a controlled manner at a controlled density to vary the dielectric constant. In some examples, the thickness of each layer of the 3D GRIN lens 54 can be relatively small compared to the wavelength of a particular frequency. In other examples, the thickness of each layer can be less than a wavelength, such as a thickness of 1/10 and 1/15 of the wavelength of the desired frequency. In still other examples, the desired frequency can be 60 GHz. In some examples, the volume ratio of the first dielectric material to the second dielectric material in the respective volume elements is controlled by the line width of the first dielectric material formed by the build-up process. In other examples, the 3D GRIN lens 54 can have a first dielectric material of a thermoplastic resin or a photoreactive resin. In other examples, the 3D GRIN lens 54 can have a second dielectric material of air, or one of a thermoplastic resin or a photoreactive resin.

In the example of FIG. 3B, electromagnetic waves 56 may comprise extremely high frequency electromagnetic waves, such as electromagnetic waves having a frequency of about 60 GHz. In some implementations of FIGS. 3A and 3B, waveguide 52 transmits electromagnetic waves 56 traveling through 3D GRIN lens 54 to focus electromagnetic waves 56 at point 58. In other implementations of FIGS. 3A and 3B, waveguide 52 receives electromagnetic waves 56 traveling through 3D GRIN lens 54 to focus electromagnetic waves 56 into waveguide 52.

In some examples, the 3D GRIN lens 54 can be used in the millimeter band of the electromagnetic spectrum. In some examples, the 3D GRIN lens 54 can be collocated, for example, with a frequency range from Signal usage from 10 GHz to 120 GHz. In other examples, the 3D GRIN lens 54 can be used, for example, with signals having a frequency ranging from 10 GHz to 300 GHz. The 3D GRIN lens 54 can be used in a variety of systems including, for example, low cost cable markets, non-contact measurement applications, wafer-to-wafer communication, and a variety of other wireless point-to-point applications that provide fiber data rates and support dense deployment architectures.

4 is a diagram showing an example of a conceptual three-dimensional unit cell 100 having a volume of a first dielectric material 102 and a volume of a second dielectric material 104. In the example of FIG. 4, unit cell 100 includes two different dielectric materials 102, 104, each having its respective volume and respective dielectric constants. In one example, unit cell 100 can have a structure that defines a dielectric material 102 (eg, a photoreactive resin) having a dielectric constant of 2.8. In another example, the unit cell 100 can have another structure (such as a gap) having a second dielectric material 104 (eg, air) within the unit cell 100 that defines a volume having a dielectric constant of one. The effective dielectric constant of the unit cell 100 varies depending on the respective volumes of the two dielectric materials 102,104. In other examples, unit grid 100 can be any shape available for AM device 24 (as illustrated in Figure 1), such as box, sphere, or rectangle. In some examples, unit grid 100 can represent a voxel. In other examples, unit grid 100 may represent a plurality of cubes.

In an exemplary implementation, the unit cell 100 can be repeatedly laid to fill the GRIN lens volume by a lamination process, such as by a per-pixel or layer-by-layer approach as illustrated in FIG. In another exemplary implementation, if the structure of the unit cell 100 of FIG. 4 is significantly smaller relative to the wavelength of the manipulated wave, then based on the volume ratio of the two materials Body pixel geometry, which acts as a single homogenous material with an effective dielectric constant between two dielectric constants (eg, air and 3D printed material). In some examples, the first dielectric material can carry a low loss, high dielectric material to further extend the range of RF optical applications for multilayer fabrication of 3D GRIN lenses.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of a conceptual three-dimensional unit cell 110 having a volume of a first dielectric material 112 and a volume of a second dielectric material 114. In some examples, the dielectric materials 112, 114 of FIG. 5 can be the same dielectric material as the dielectric materials 102, 104 (FIG. 4), respectively. In the example of FIG. 5, unit cell 110 includes two different dielectric materials 112, 114, each having its respective volume and respective dielectric constants. In one example, the unit cell 110 can be structured as one unit cell of a first dielectric material 112 (eg, a photoreactive resin) having a dielectric constant of 2.8. In another example, the unit cell 110 can include a gap in the box shape of the dielectric material 112 having a second dielectric material 114 that defines a volume having a dielectric constant of one. The effective dielectric constant of the unit cell 110 is defined by the respective volumes of the two dielectric materials 112, 114. In other examples, unit grid 110 can be any shape available for AM device 24 (as illustrated in Figure 1), such as box, sphere, or rectangle. In another example of FIG. 5, the unit cell 110 may have more first dielectric material 112 than the second dielectric material 114, unlike the first dielectric material 102 of the unit cell 100 of FIG. The second dielectric material 104. In some examples, the effective dielectric constant of the unit cell 110 is higher than the effective dielectric constant of the unit cell 100 because the unit cell 110 has a higher proportion of dielectric constant material than the unit cell 100. In some examples, unit grid 110 can represent a voxel. In other examples, unit grid 110 may represent a plurality of voxels.

In an exemplary implementation, the repeatable unit cell 110 is filled with a GRIN lens volume, such as by a per-pixel or layer-by-layer approach as illustrated in FIG. In another exemplary implementation, if the structure of the unit cell 110 of FIG. 5 is significantly smaller than the wavelength of the manipulated wave, based on the volume ratio of the two dielectric materials and the voxel geometry, the structure will function as a single homogeneity. A material having an effective dielectric constant between two dielectric constants (eg, air and 3D printing material). In some examples, the first dielectric material can carry a low loss, high dielectric material to further extend the range of RF optical applications for multilayer fabrication of 3D GRIN lenses.

6 is a diagram showing an example of an array of conceptual three-dimensional unit grids having one volume of respective volumes based on respective three-dimensional unit grids in the three-dimensional unit grid array. In some examples, the dielectric material 130, 132, 134, 136 of FIG. 6 can correspond to one or more of the dielectric materials 102, 104, 112, 114 of FIGS. 4-5. In the example of FIG. 6, unit cell 120 includes two different dielectric materials, such as a first dielectric material and a second dielectric material, each having a respective volume and a respective dielectric constant. In one example, the array of unit cells 120 can have a structure (such as a box shape) and a volume defined by a first dielectric material 130, 134 (eg, a photoreactive resin) having a dielectric constant of 2.8. In another example, there may be one structure (such as a gap) and one volume defined by a second dielectric material 132, 136 having a dielectric constant of one. The effective dielectric constant of the array of unit cells 120 is defined by the respective volumes of dielectric materials 130, 132, 134, 136. In other examples, the array of unit cells 120 can be any shape available for the AM device 24 (as illustrated in Figure 1), such as a sphere, rectangle, cylinder, or tetrahedron. In another example of FIG. 6, the array of unit cells 120 can be There is a unit grid, the volume of the first dielectric material 130 of the unit grid is larger than the volume of the second dielectric material 132, such as the unit grid 110 illustrated in FIG. In some examples, the effective dielectric constant of the unit cell 110 (as illustrated in FIG. 5) is higher than the effective dielectric constant of the unit cell 100 because the unit cell 110 has a higher proportion of dielectric constant material than the unit cell 100. In some examples, the array of unit cells 120 can include a matrix of voxels. In other examples, the array of unit cells 120 may have an effective dielectric constant that varies depending on the respective volume of one or more dielectric materials in the array of cells.

In an exemplary implementation, the array of unit cells 120 may be repeatedly laid to fill the GRIN lens volume by a lamination process, such as by a per-pixel or layer-by-layer approach as illustrated in FIG. In another exemplary implementation, if the unit lattice in the array of unit cells 120 of FIG. 6 is significantly smaller relative to the wavelength of the manipulated wave, the structure may function based on the volume ratio of the two dielectric materials and the voxel geometry. A single homogeneous material having an effective dielectric constant between two dielectric constants (eg, air and 3D printed material). In some examples, the first dielectric material can carry a low loss, high dielectric material to further extend the range of RF optical applications for multilayer fabrication of 3D GRIN lenses. In other examples, the array of unit cells 120 may be referred to as a grid pattern. In some examples, the volume ratio of the first dielectric material to the second dielectric material in the respective volume elements is controlled by the line width of the first dielectric material formed by the build-up process.

7 is a diagram showing an example of an array of digital three-dimensional pixels structured in a spoke design 200. In the example of FIG. 7, spoke design 200 includes spoke rings, gaps, and circles, such as spoke rings 202-212, circles 214, and gaps 222-224. The spoke rings 202 to 212 may be made of a first dielectric material having a dielectric constant of 2.8 (for example, a photoreactive resin). The gaps 222 to 224 may be similar to the spoke rings 202 to 214 such that the gaps 222 to 224 are composed of a second dielectric material (e.g., air) having an associated dielectric constant of one.

In an exemplary implementation of spoke design 200, spoke ring 202 has the lowest ratio of first dielectric material (e.g., photoreactive resin) to gap 222 (consisting of a second dielectric material, such as air). In other examples, each subsequent spoke ring (such as spoke rings 204-212) has a higher ratio of first dielectric material to gap (consisting of second dielectric material). That is, in one example, an outer spoke ring 212 has the highest ratio of first dielectric material to second dielectric material. Moreover, in one example of FIG. 7, circle 214 may be formed from a solid dielectric material, such as a first dielectric material.

In some examples of FIG. 7, spoke rings 202-212, circle 214, and gaps 222-224 may each have a plurality of effective dielectric constants that correspond to the overall dielectric constant distribution of spoke design 200. In one example, spoke rings 202-212 and circle 214 have an effective dielectric constant based on the volume of the first dielectric material, and gaps 222-224 may have an effective dielectric constant based on the second dielectric material. In some examples, spoke rings 202-212 can have an effective constant based on the volume of one or more dielectric materials. In other examples, circle 214 can have an effective dielectric constant based on one or more dielectric materials. In still other examples, the gaps 222 through 224 can have an effective dielectric constant based on one or more dielectric materials. In some examples of the spoke design 200 of FIG. 7, the plurality of effective dielectric constants of the spoke rings, circles, and gaps may include an overall dielectric constant distribution similar to the dielectric constant distribution of a GRIN lens, such as a lenticular lens. In some exemplary implementations, the spoke design 200 can have one or more layers of an overall diameter depending on the wavelength of the focused wave And change. For example, the spoke design 200 can have one or more layers having a diameter of 10 wavelengths, such as 50 mm, equivalent to 10 wavelengths at 60 GHz. In some examples, the spoke design 200 can be referred to as a spoke pattern. In other examples, the volume ratio of the first dielectric material to the second dielectric material in the respective volume elements is controlled by the line width of the first dielectric material formed by the build-up process.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of an array of digital three-dimensional pixels structured in a ring design 250. In the example of FIG. 8, the annular design includes rings 252 through 258, circles 260, and gaps 262 through 264. Rings 252 through 258 can be composed of different proportions of dielectric materials (eg, photoreactive resins and air) that are structured in a ring design. The gaps 262 through 264 can be similar to the rings 252 through 258 such that the gaps 262 through 264 can be composed of different proportions of dielectric material in a loop design. For example, the ring 252 has the lowest ratio of the first dielectric material (eg, photoreactive resin) to the second dielectric material (eg, air) because the ring 252 has the largest diameter and is adjacent to the largest volume. A gap 262 of a second dielectric material (eg, air). In other examples, each subsequent ring (such as rings 254 through 258) has a higher ratio of first dielectric material to second dielectric material. That is, in one example, ring 252 has the highest ratio of first dielectric material to second dielectric material. Further, in an example of FIG. 8, the circle 260 has a dielectric material such as a first dielectric material (eg, a photoreactive resin), and the gaps 262 to 264 may have a dielectric material such as a second dielectric Material (for example, air).

In some examples of FIG. 8, the first dielectric material has a dielectric constant of 2.8 and the second dielectric material has a dielectric constant of one. Rings 252 through 258, circle 260, and gaps 262 through 264 each have an effective dielectric constant and are dielectric constants of annular design 250. One part of the cloth. In one example, rings 252 through 258 can have an effective dielectric constant based on the volume of the first and second dielectric materials, circle 260 can have an effective dielectric constant based on the first dielectric material, and gaps 262 through 264 can There is an effective dielectric constant based on the second dielectric material. In some examples, rings 252 through 258 can have an effective constant based on the volume of two or more dielectric materials. In other examples, circle 260 can have an effective dielectric constant based on one or more dielectric materials. In still other examples, the gaps 262 through 264 can have an effective dielectric constant based on one or more dielectric materials. In some examples of the annular design 250 of FIG. 8, the effective dielectric constants of the rings, circles, and gaps may together form an overall dielectric constant distribution similar to a GRIN lens, such as a lenticular lens. In some examples, the annular design 250 can be referred to as a toroidal pattern. In other examples, the volume ratio of the first dielectric material to the second dielectric material in the respective volume elements is controlled by the line width of the first dielectric material formed by the build-up process.

9A-9B are diagrams showing an example of an array of digital three-dimensional pixels that are structured in a combination of a spoke design 200 and a ring design 250 to form a spoke and ring design 300A and a ring. Shape and spoke design 300B. In some examples of Figures 9A and 9B, some of the reference symbols can be illustrated in accordance with Figures 7-8. In some examples of the spoke and ring design 300A and the ring and spoke design 300B, the GRIN lens can be constructed with an alternating layer of an annular layer and a spoke layer to reduce its sensitivity to polarization of the EM wave. In the other examples of Figures 9A and 9B, designs 300A, 300B can alternate 15 spoke layers with 15 annular layers. In still other examples, designs 300A, 300B can have a plurality of spoke layers alternating with annular layers. In some examples, the thickness of each layer can be relatively small relative to the wavelength. In the spoke and ring design 300A In the ring and spoke design 300B, the thickness of each layer may be between 1/10 and 1/15 of the wavelength at 60 GHz. In free space, the wavelength at 60 GHz is 5 mm, but in materials having a relative dielectric constant of 2.8, the wavelength is 5 mm/square root (2.8). In some examples, designs 300A, 300B can interleave 15 spoke layers with 15 annular layers to a thickness of 7.8 mm.

In the example of FIG. 9A, three-dimensional pixel array 300A includes an annular layer, spoke layers, gaps, and circles, such as annular layer 306A, spoke layer 304A, gap 308A, and circle 302A. Annular layer 306A, spokes 304A, and gap 308A may be comprised of one or more dielectric materials (eg, photoreactive resins and air) of different volumes that are structured in a spoke and ring design. For example, the annular layer 306A has the lowest ratio of the first dielectric material (eg, photoreactive resin) to the second dielectric material (eg, air) because the gap 308A is at the edge of the spoke and ring design 300 Has the largest volume. In other examples, each subsequent ring has a higher ratio of first dielectric material to second dielectric material because the volume of the gap becomes smaller toward circle 302A. That is, in one example, the ring closest to the center has the highest ratio of first dielectric material to second dielectric material. Further, in an example of FIG. 9A, the circle 302A has a dielectric material such as a first dielectric material (eg, a photoreactive resin).

In some examples of FIG. 9A, the first dielectric material has a dielectric constant of 2.8 and the second dielectric material has a dielectric constant of one. A plurality of rings, spokes, gaps, and circles (including annular layer 306A, spokes 304A, gaps 308A, and circles 302A) each have an effective dielectric constant and are part of the overall dielectric constant distribution of the spoke and ring design 300A. In one example, the rings, spokes, and gaps have a first and second dielectric material based The effective dielectric constant of the volume, and the circle 302A has an effective dielectric constant based on the first dielectric material. In some examples, the rings, spokes, and gaps have an effective constant based on the volume of two or more dielectric materials. In other examples, circle 302A has an effective dielectric constant based on one or more dielectric materials. In some examples of the spoke and ring design 300A in Figure 9A, the effective dielectric constant of the spokes, rings, circles, and gaps may have an overall dielectric constant distribution similar to a GRIN lens, such as a lenticular lens.

In the example of FIG. 9B, three-dimensional pixel array 300B includes enlarged views of rings, spokes, gaps, and circles, such as annular layer 306B, spokes 304B, and gaps 308B. In some examples of the toroidal and spoke design 300B, the GRIN lens can be constructed with an alternating layer of spoke layers and annular layers to reduce its sensitivity to polarization of the EM waves. Annular layer 306B, spokes 304B, and gap 308B may be comprised of one or more dielectric materials (eg, photoreactive resins and air) of different volumes that are structured in a ring and spoke design 300B. For example, the annular layer 306B has the lowest ratio of the first dielectric material (eg, photoreactive resin) to the second dielectric material (eg, air) because the gap 308B is at the edge of the toroidal and spoke design 300B. Has the largest volume. In other examples, each subsequent ring has a higher ratio of the first dielectric material to the second dielectric material because the volume of the gap becomes smaller toward the center of the ring and spoke design. That is, in one example, the annular layer 306B has the lowest ratio of the first dielectric material to the second dielectric material.

In some examples of FIG. 9B, the first dielectric material has a dielectric constant of 2.8 and the second dielectric material has a dielectric constant of one. A plurality of rings, spokes, and gaps (including annular layer 306B, spokes 304B, and gap 308B) each have an effective dielectric constant and are part of the overall dielectric constant distribution of the ring and spoke design 300B. In an instance The rings, spokes, and gaps have an effective dielectric constant based on the volume of the first and second dielectric materials. In some examples, the rings, spokes, and gaps have an effective constant based on the volume of two or more dielectric materials. In some examples of the ring and spoke design 300B in Figure 9B, the effective dielectric constants of the spokes, rings, circles, and gaps may have an overall dielectric constant distribution similar to a GRIN lens, such as a lenticular lens.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of an example of an array of solid three-dimensional pixels structured in a spoke and ring design 320. In some examples of FIG. 10, some of the reference symbols may be described with reference to FIGS. 7-9B.

In the example of FIG. 10, the three-dimensional pixel array of spoke and ring design 320 includes an annular layer, a spoke annular layer, a gap, and a center, such as an annular layer 326, a spoke annular layer 324, a gap 328, and a center. 322. In the example of FIG. 10, the top layer of the spoke and ring design 320 is a spoke annular layer, such as the spoke ring design 200 illustrated in FIG. In some examples of spoke and ring designs 320 (as illustrated in Figure 10), the GRIN lens can be constructed with an alternating layer of an annular layer and a spoke layer to reduce its sensitivity to EM wave polarization. . In some examples, the diameter of the spoke and ring design 320 can be based on a given electromagnetic wave wavelength. In other examples, the spoke and ring design 320 can interleave 15 spoke layers with 15 annular layers to a thickness of 7.8 mm, and a diameter of 50 mm or a wave of about 60 GHz (with a full wavelength of about 5 mm). Wavelengths.

In an exemplary implementation of the 3D GRIN lens 320, the annular layer 326, the spoke annular layer 324, and the gap 328 can each have one or more dielectric materials of different volumes that are structured in a spoke and ring design 320 ( For example, photoreactive resin and empty gas). For example, the annular layer 326 has the lowest ratio of the first dielectric material (eg, photoreactive resin) to the second dielectric material (eg, air) because the gap (such as the gap 328) is in the spoke and ring design. There is a second volume of the second dielectric material at the edge of 320.

In other examples, each ring within annular layer 326 that is closer to center 322 may have a higher ratio of first dielectric material to second dielectric material because the second dielectric material volume in the gap decreases toward center 322. That is, in one example, the ring of annular layer 326 closest to center 322 has the highest ratio of first dielectric material to second dielectric material. In other examples, the spokes within the spoke layer 324 may have a higher ratio of the first dielectric material to the second dielectric material than the rings closer to the center 322 because the second dielectric material in the gap (such as the gap 328) The volume decreases toward the center 332. That is, in one example, the spokes within spoke layer 324 that are closest to center 322 have the highest ratio of first dielectric material to second dielectric material. Moreover, in one example of FIG. 10, center 322 can comprise a dielectric material, such as a first dielectric material (eg, a photoreactive resin). In some examples, the spoke and loop design 320 includes a dielectric constant distribution of a biconvex GRIN lens.

11 is a diagram showing an example of a structure having an array of one of three solid three-dimensional pixels in a ring and spoke design 330. In some examples of FIG. 11, some reference symbols may be described with reference to FIGS. 7-10.

In the example of FIG. 11, the three-dimensional array of pixels of the ring and spoke design 330 includes an annular layer, a spoke layer, a gap, and a center, such as an annular layer 336, a spoke layer 334, a gap 338, and a center 332. In the example of FIG. 11, the top layer of the toroidal and spoke design 330 is an annular layer, such as the annular design 250 illustrated in FIG. In some examples of ring and spoke design 330 (as shown in Figure 11), the GRIN lens can be used with an annular layer. Constructed with an alternating layer of spoke layers to reduce its sensitivity to polarization of EM waves. In some examples, the diameter of the toroidal and spoke design 330 can be based on a given electromagnetic wave wavelength. In other examples, the annular and spoke design 330 can interleave 15 spoke layers with 15 annular layers to achieve a diameter of 50 mm or 10 wavelengths of about 60 GHz waves (having a full wavelength of about 5 mm).

In an exemplary implementation of the toroidal and spoke design 330, the annular layer 336, the spoke layer 334, and the gap 338 can each have one or more dielectric materials of different volumes that are structured in a ring and spoke design 330 ( For example, photoreactive resin and/or air). For example, the annular layer 336 has the lowest ratio of the first dielectric material (eg, photoreactive resin) to the second dielectric material (eg, air) because the gap (such as the gap 338) is in the ring and spoke design There is a second volume of the second dielectric material at the edge of the 330.

In other examples, the rings within annular layer 336 that are closer to center 332 may have a higher ratio of first dielectric material to second dielectric material because the second dielectric material volume in the gap decreases toward center 332. That is, in one example, the ring closest to the center 332 in the annular layer 336 has the highest ratio of first dielectric material to second dielectric material. In other examples, the spokes within the spoke layer 334 may have a higher ratio of the first dielectric material to the second dielectric material than the rings closer to the center 332 because the volume of dielectric material in the gap decreases toward the center 332. That is, in one example, the spokes within the spoke layer 334 closest to the center 332 have the highest ratio of first dielectric material to second dielectric material. Moreover, in an example of FIG. 11, center 332 can comprise a dielectric material, such as a first dielectric material (eg, a photoreactive resin). In some examples, the toroidal and spoke design 330 includes a dielectric constant distribution of a biconvex GRIN lens.

Figure 12 is a graph showing an example of the desired density of a first dielectric material according to the radius of a 3D GRIN lens. In the example of FIG. 12, density 402 (as indicated by line 406) decreases from about 100% density at 0 mm of radius 404 to about 50% at 25 mm of radius 404, as depicted in FIG. Density 402 is a function of the volume of the first and second dielectric materials along the radius 404 of the 3D GRIN lens. The radius 404 varies depending on the size of the GRIN lens. In one example, line 406 represents the approximate dielectric constant distribution of the lenticular lens.

Using Equation 1, the refractive index n of a radial gradient lens having a focal length f and a thickness t was calculated and shown in Table 1 below, which was calculated with a focal length of 25 mm and a thickness of 7.5 mm. Where Δ n = n _xo - n _x ( n _xo and n _x are the refractive indices of x _o and x positions, respectively), and Δ x = x - x _o .

The columns of Table 1 include Δn, effective n, and the percentage of density to radius. In an exemplary implementation, Table 1 assumes that the first dielectric material (such as the bulk 3D print material) has a nominal relative dielectric constant of 2.8. Furthermore, Table 1 assumes that the nominal dielectric constant of the second dielectric material, such as vacuum, is zero. In other exemplary implementations, the first dielectric material (eg, bulk 3D printing material) has a nominal relative dielectric constant of 2.8 and the second dielectric material (eg, air) has a nominal relative dielectric constant. Is 1. The items highlighted in the table are the dielectrics used for the stepped dielectric constant GRIN lens model shown in Figure 15. The number and simulation results are as follows. In practice, the dielectric constant does not require stepping, but can be varied in a more continuous manner.

13A and 13B are graphs showing an example of a measured gain pattern that does not use a GRIN lens but uses a GRINS lens as described in FIGS. 10 and 11. In the example of FIGS. 13A and 13B, charts 500 and 502 include measured gain patterns 504 and 506.

The measured gain pattern 504 represents a measured gain profile of 360° of a 60 GHz wave radiated from a flange of a waveguide (such as waveguide 54 illustrated in Figure 3) without the use of GRIN. The lens is used to focus the 60 GHz wave. The measured gain pattern 504 is normalized to unity. In some examples, the flange of the waveguide, such as waveguide 52, can have an opening that is 3.8 mm by 1.9 mm wide. The measured gain pattern 506 represents a gain pattern measured by 360° of a 60 GHz wave generated by a waveguide (such as the waveguide 52 illustrated in Figure 3) and using a GRIN lens in accordance with the techniques described herein. 60 GHz wave focusing. Moreover, since a GRIN lens in accordance with the techniques described herein is placed in front of the waveguide, the measured gain pattern 506 exhibits a high amplitude, narrow, focused beam radiation pattern. In some examples of FIG. 13A, the amplitude of the measured gain pattern 506 can be 21 times greater than the amplitude of the measured gain pattern 504. In some examples of FIGS. 13A and 13B, since the GRIN lens in accordance with the techniques described herein is not placed in front of the waveguide, the measured gain pattern 504 can have a low amplitude, wide, unfocused beam radiation pattern. kind. In some examples of FIG. 13B, the measured gain pattern 504 may have an amplitude of one.

14 is a conceptual diagram 600 showing an example of a focusing effect of a first dielectric material having a single dielectric constant and a structure having a lenticular lens. In Figure 14 In the example, concept map 600 includes a wave 604, a GRIN lens 602, and a focused wave 606.

Wave 604 represents the wave traveling through GRIN lens 602. Although the GRIN lens 602 is shown as a lenticular lens structure, it is not limited to this structure. Focusing wave 606 represents the focusing effect on wave 604 after wave 604 travels through a GRIN lens, such as GRIN lens 602. In an exemplary implementation, the frequency of wave 604 can be 60 GHz. In another exemplary implementation, the GRIN lens 602 can have a dielectric material that forms a lenticular shape and whose dielectric constant distribution provides lens functionality that approximates the lens functionality of the lenticular lens.

15 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a stepped GRIN lens 610 comprising two or more dielectric materials having a stepped dielectric constant distribution and a focusing effect similar to that of a lenticular lens. In the example of FIG. 15, the stepped GRIN lens 610 includes a plurality of layers, such as layers 612A, 612B, 614A, 614B, 626A, 626B. In one example, the plurality of layers are symmetric across the u-axis to achieve a dielectric constant distribution and focusing effect similar to a lenticular lens. In another example, the plurality of layers comprise a plurality of voxels (not shown). In some examples, each color represents a particular dielectric constant associated with a box dielectric constant, as shown and described in Table 1 of FIG.

In an exemplary implementation, each symmetrical layer (such as layers 612A, 612B) can have a similar ratio of first dielectric material to second dielectric material. In another exemplary implementation, each symmetrical layer (such as layers 612A, 612B) can have a similar continuously varying ratio of first dielectric material to second dielectric material (which is defined by the plurality of singular pixels). In some examples, because there is a similar ratio of the first dielectric material to the second dielectric material For example, symmetric layers 612A, 612B can have similar effective dielectric constants. In other examples, symmetric layers 612A, 612B may have similar effective dielectric constants because the first dielectric material is similar in volume to the second dielectric material. In still other examples, the symmetric layers 612A, 612B can have similar effective dielectric constants because of the similar density between the first dielectric material and the second dielectric material.

16 is a conceptual diagram 630 illustrating an example of focusing effects of two or more dielectric materials that form a stepped dielectric constant distribution in accordance with the techniques disclosed herein. In the example of FIG. 16, conceptual diagram 630 includes a wave 634, a stepped GRIN lens 610 as illustrated in FIG. 15, and a focused wave 636. Lens simulation was performed by using a computer simulation technology (CST) software by a 60 GHz planar waveguide to a stepped GRIN lens 610. The plane wave originates from the positive u direction and travels toward the lens in the negative u direction. The plane wave is parallel to the vw plane. Please note that the uvw right angle coordinate system is similar to the xyz right angle coordinate system.

Wave 634 represents the wave traveling through the stepped GRIN lens 610. The stepped GRIN lens 610 is illustrated as a GRIN lens having flat sides, but may not be limited to this configuration, and may be any structure that is limited by the AM device 24 as illustrated in FIG. Focusing wave 636 represents the focusing effect of wave 634 on wave 634 after traveling through a GRIN lens, such as stepped GRIN lens 610 or GRIN lens 602 as illustrated in FIG.

In an exemplary implementation, the frequency of wave 634 can be 60 GHz. In another exemplary implementation, the stepped GRIN lens 610 can have two or more dielectric materials that form a dielectric constant distribution that provides an approximate imaging lens (such as The lens functionality of a solid lenticular lens like the GRIN lens 602 of Figure 14 is functional and does not have the shape of a lenticular lens, as illustrated in Figure 15. In some examples, the focused wave 636 can have a focusing effect similar to and/or similar to the focused wave 606 as illustrated in FIG.

17 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of focusing effects of two or more dielectric materials that form a stepped dielectric constant distribution in accordance with the techniques disclosed herein. In the example of FIG. 17, concept map 640 includes a wave 644, a stepped GRIN lens 610, and a focused wave 646. Lens simulation was performed using a CST software by directing a 60 GHz planar waveguide to a stepped GRIN lens 610. The plane wave originates from the positive u direction and travels toward the lens in the negative u direction. The plane wave is parallel to the vw plane. Please note that the uvw right angle coordinate system is similar to the xyz right angle coordinate system.

Wave 644 represents the wave traveling through the stepped GRIN lens 610. The stepped GRIN lens 610 is illustrated in FIG. 17 as a GRIN lens having flat sides, but may not be limited to this configuration, and may be any structure that is limited by the AM device 24 as illustrated in FIG. Focusing wave 646 represents the focusing effect of wave 644 on wave 644 after traveling through a GRIN lens, such as stepped GRIN lens 610 or GRIN lens 602 as illustrated in FIG.

In an exemplary implementation, the frequency of wave 644 can be 60 GHz. In another exemplary implementation, the stepped GRIN lens 610 can have two or more dielectric materials that form a dielectric constant distribution that provides an approximate imaging lens (such as, for example, the GRIN lens 602 of FIG. The lens of the solid lenticular lens has functional lens functionality and does not have the shape of a lenticular lens, as illustrated in FIG. In some instances, The focused wave 646 can have a focusing effect similar to and/or similar to the focused wave 606 as illustrated in FIG.

18 illustrates an example of a nonwoven structure 700 having two or more dielectric materials, the examples being in accordance with the techniques disclosed herein. In the example of FIG. 18, the nonwoven structure includes a GRIN lens 702. The GRIN lens 702 is illustrated in Figure 18 as a GRIN lens having a flat side and comprising a nonwoven material.

In an exemplary implementation, the GRIN lens 702 can have two or more dielectric materials that form a dielectric constant distribution that provides an approximate imaging lens (such as a solid double like the GRIN lens 602 of FIG. The lens of the convex lens has functional lens functionality and does not have the shape of a lenticular lens, as illustrated in FIG. In some examples, GRIN lens 702 can be formed by AM device 24 as illustrated in FIG. 1, and AM device 24 can generate a random or pseudo-random extrusion path through the 3D printed material, which corresponds to two or A defined volume ratio between more dielectric materials. In the example of Figure 18, the effective dielectric constant of the GRIN lens 702 varies depending on the local printing density of the extruded material. In some examples, the nonwoven structure of the GRIN lens 702 can include a configuration of one or more volume elements having a configuration of one or more lines formed by a laminate process. In other examples, the volume ratio of the first dielectric material to the second dielectric material in the respective volume elements is controlled by the line width of the first dielectric material formed by the build-up process. In some examples, the configuration of one or more volume elements can comprise an array of at least one of the random extrusion paths of the first dielectric material.

19 illustrates another example of a nonwoven structure 710 having two or more dielectric materials, the examples being in accordance with the techniques disclosed herein. In the example of Figure 19, The nonwoven structure includes a GRIN lens 712. The GRIN lens 712 is illustrated in Figure 19 as a GRIN lens having a plurality of spokes and including a nonwoven material. In an exemplary implementation, the GRIN lens 712 can have two or more dielectric materials that form a dielectric constant distribution that provides an approximate imaging lens (such as a solid double like the GRIN lens 602 of FIG. The lens of the convex lens has functional lens functionality and does not have the shape of a lenticular lens, as illustrated in FIG. In some examples, GRIN lens 712 can be formed by AM device 24 as illustrated in FIG. 1, and AM device 24 can generate a random array of voxels corresponding to two or more dielectric materials. The defined volume ratio between the two.

20 is a flow chart showing an example operation 800 of a laminate manufacturing apparatus 24 that produces a 3D GRIN lens having two or more dielectric materials in accordance with the techniques disclosed herein. For purposes of example, FIG. 20 will be described with reference to AM device 24 of FIG.

Initially, the AM device 24 receives a model containing data specifying a plurality of layers, at least one layer comprising a configuration of one or more volume elements, the one or more volume elements comprising a first dielectric material and a second dielectric Material (802). For example, the AM device 24 can be a manufacturing device having one or more processors that receive a model including data specifying a plurality of layers, wherein at least one of the plurality of layers includes a configuration of one or more volume elements The one or more volume elements include a first dielectric material and a second dielectric material, wherein the at least one layer of the plurality of layers has a dielectric constant distribution, the distribution being from the same volume in the layer A plurality of different effective dielectric constants of the elements. In some examples, each local effective dielectric constant varies according to the following: each of the volume elements The volume ratio of the first dielectric material to the second dielectric material, the dielectric constant of the first dielectric material, and the dielectric constant of the second dielectric material. After the AM device 24 receives the model, the AM device 24 generates a GRIN lens (804) by a lamination process based on the model. In some examples, the at least one layer of the plurality of layers has a dielectric constant distribution that is comprised of a plurality of different effective dielectric constants of the equal volume elements in the layer.

Various examples of the disclosure have been described. These and other examples are within the scope of the following patent application.

Claims (36)

A method of forming a gradient index (GRIN) lens for propagating an electromagnetic wave, the method comprising: receiving, by a manufacturing device having one or more processors, a data comprising a specified plurality of layers a model, wherein at least one of the plurality of layers comprises a configuration of one or more volume elements, the one or more volume elements comprising a first dielectric material and a second dielectric material, wherein the plurality The at least one layer of the layers has a dielectric constant distribution consisting of a plurality of different effective dielectric constants of the equal volume elements in the layer; and based on the model, using the manufacturing apparatus A laminate process is used to produce the GRIN lens. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the local effective dielectric constants is changed according to a volume ratio of the first dielectric material to the second dielectric material in the respective volume elements, a dielectric constant of the first dielectric material and a dielectric constant of the second dielectric material. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the plurality of layers has a thickness less than a wavelength of the electromagnetic wave. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the plurality of layers has a thickness between one tenth and one fifteenth of a wavelength length of the electromagnetic wave. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the configuration of the one or more volume elements comprises one of one or more lines formed by the layering process. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein one or more of the first ones of the plurality of layers are configured as a spoke type, and wherein the second one of the plurality of layers One or more of the lines are configured in a ring shape. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the one or more line lines in a first one of the plurality of layers are configured as a ring pattern, and wherein a second one of the plurality of layers The one or more lines are configured as a spoke type. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the one or more line lines in a first one of the plurality of layers are configured as a grid pattern. The method of claim 5, wherein the volume ratio of the first dielectric material to the second dielectric material in each of the volume elements is a line of the first dielectric material formed by the build-up process Wide to control. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration of the one or more volume elements comprises an array of at least one of the random extrusion paths of the first dielectric material. The method of claim 1, wherein the first dielectric material comprises at least one of a first photoreactive resin or a first thermoplastic resin, and wherein the second dielectric material comprises air. The method of claim 1, wherein the first dielectric material comprises at least one of a first photoreactive resin or a first thermoplastic resin, and wherein the second dielectric material comprises a second photoreactive resin or At least one of a second thermoplastic resin. The method of claim 1, wherein the layering process comprises a three-dimensional (3D) printing process. The method of claim 1, wherein the build-up process comprises a two-photon photopolymerization process. The method of claim 1, wherein the dielectric constant distribution is selected to enable the GRIN lens to focus the electromagnetic wave. The method of claim 1, wherein the frequency of the electromagnetic wave is within a millimeter wave band. The method of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic wave has a frequency of 60 GHz. A computer system configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 17. A computer readable medium, comprising instructions for causing a programmable processor to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 17. A gradient index (GRIN) lens for propagating an electromagnetic wave, the lens comprising: a plurality of layers formed to be laminated to include a plurality of volume elements, wherein at least one of the plurality of layers comprises the one or more An arrangement of volume elements, wherein each of the volume elements comprises a first dielectric material and a second dielectric material, wherein the at least one layer of the plurality of layers has a dielectric constant distribution, the dielectric constant distribution And consisting of a plurality of different effective dielectric constants of the equal volume elements in the layer, and wherein each of the local effective dielectric constants varies according to the following: each of the first of the volume elements a volume ratio of the dielectric material to the second dielectric material, a dielectric constant of the first dielectric material, and a dielectric constant of the second dielectric material. A gradient index (GRIN) lens for propagating an electromagnetic wave according to claim 20, wherein each of the plurality of layers has a thickness smaller than a wavelength of the electromagnetic wave. A gradient index (GRIN) lens for propagating an electromagnetic wave according to claim 20 or 21, wherein a thickness of each of the plurality of layers is between one tenth and one fifteenth of a wavelength length of the electromagnetic wave between. A gradient index (GRIN) lens for propagating an electromagnetic wave as claimed in claim 20 or 21, wherein the configuration of one or more volume elements comprises one of one or more lines formed by the layering process. A gradient index (GRIN) lens for propagating an electromagnetic wave according to claim 23, wherein one or more of the first ones of the plurality of layers are configured as a spoke type, and wherein the plurality of The one or more lines within a second one of the layers are configured in a loop pattern. A gradient index (GRIN) lens for propagating an electromagnetic wave according to claim 23, wherein one or more of the first ones of the plurality of layers are configured as a ring pattern, and wherein the plurality One or more of the lines in a second of the layers are configured as a spoke Model. A gradient index (GRIN) lens for propagating an electromagnetic wave according to claim 23, wherein one or more of the first ones of the plurality of layers are configured as a grid pattern. A gradient index (GRIN) lens for propagating an electromagnetic wave according to claim 23, wherein the volume ratio of the first dielectric material of the respective volume elements to the second dielectric material is The line width of the first dielectric material formed by the build-up process is controlled. A gradient index (GRIN) lens for propagating an electromagnetic wave of claim 20, wherein the configuration of the one or more volume elements comprises at least one of an array of random extrusion paths of the first dielectric material. A gradient index (GRIN) lens for propagating an electromagnetic wave according to claim 20, wherein the first dielectric material comprises at least one of a first photoreactive resin or a first thermoplastic resin, and wherein the second The dielectric material contains air. A gradient index (GRIN) lens for propagating an electromagnetic wave according to claim 20, wherein the first dielectric material comprises at least one of a first photoreactive resin or a first thermoplastic resin, and wherein the second The dielectric material comprises at least one of a second photoreactive resin or a second thermoplastic resin. A gradient index (GRIN) lens for propagating an electromagnetic wave as claimed in claim 20, wherein the build-up process comprises a three-dimensional (3D) printing process. A gradient index (GRIN) lens for propagating an electromagnetic wave according to claim 20, wherein the layering process comprises a two-photon photopolymerization process. A gradient index (GRIN) lens for propagating an electromagnetic wave as claimed in claim 20, wherein the dielectric constant distribution is selected to enable the GRIN lens to focus the electromagnetic wave. A gradient index (GRIN) lens for propagating an electromagnetic wave as claimed in claim 20, wherein the frequency of the electromagnetic wave is within a millimeter wave band. A gradient index (GRIN) lens for propagating an electromagnetic wave as claimed in claim 20, wherein The frequency of the electromagnetic wave is 60 GHz. A gradient index (GRIN) lens for propagating an electromagnetic wave as claimed in claim 20, wherein at least one of the dielectric materials provides a specific porosity for filtering at least one of a gas or a liquid.