EP0688062A2 - Adjustable fresnel zone plate - Google Patents
Adjustable fresnel zone plate Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0688062A2 EP0688062A2 EP95201485A EP95201485A EP0688062A2 EP 0688062 A2 EP0688062 A2 EP 0688062A2 EP 95201485 A EP95201485 A EP 95201485A EP 95201485 A EP95201485 A EP 95201485A EP 0688062 A2 EP0688062 A2 EP 0688062A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- zone plate
- fresnel zone
- plane
- subreflectors
- subreflector
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
- H01Q19/00—Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic
- H01Q19/06—Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic using refracting or diffracting devices, e.g. lens
- H01Q19/062—Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic using refracting or diffracting devices, e.g. lens for focusing
- H01Q19/065—Zone plate type antennas
Landscapes
- Aerials With Secondary Devices (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The invention relates to a reflective Fresnel zone plate for concentrating electromagnetic radiation into a focal point, comprising a first system of reflective subsidiary surfaces lying in a first plane and a second system of reflective subsidiary surfaces lying in a second plane, these subsidiary surfaces constituting the zones of the Fresnel zone plate.
- The use of a Fresnel zone plate for concentrating electromagnetic radiation into a focal point is known from for instance US-A 4,905,014. This conventional Fresnel zone plate has the drawback that it is designed for perpendicularly incident radiation only. The present invention obviates this drawback and is characterised in that the Fresnel zone plate is provided with means for focusing electromagnetic radiation from a selectable direction.
- For selecting a different direction, it will be required to change the system of reflective subsidiary surfaces. A favourable embodiment of the invention is characterised in that the means comprise mechanically adjustable subreflectors and in that the subsidiary surfaces are formed by at least substantially abutting subreflectors.
- A further favourable embodiment of the invention is characterised in that in the standard mode of operation, the subreflectors are always positioned either in the first plane or in the second plane so that the mechanical setting can assume two positions only.
- A still further embodiment of the invention is characterised in that the electrical distance between the first surface and the second surface is at least substantially a quarter of the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation to be focused.
- US-A 5,063,389 discloses a reflective Fresnel lens provided with mechanically adjustable subreflectors. In case of this conventional lens, a subreflector shall be proportionally driven across a distance that is half the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation to be focused. Apart from the proportional drive that renders the system unduly expensive and consequently unsuitable for mass production, this entails the drawback that the subreflector has to be shifted over a distance that is twice as long as the distance specified in the present invention. The invention will generally require an increased number of subreflectors, although these can be obtained in a low-cost and lightweight design thus enabling a considerably faster drive.
- A still further low-cost embodiment of the invention is characterised in that the first plane and the second plane are both flat.
- The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the following figures, of which:
- Fig. 1
- schematically represents a Fresnel zone plate according to the state of the art;
- Fig. 2
- schematically represents a Fresnel zone plate according to the invention;
- Fig. 3
- represents a possible embodiment of an electromagnetically-adjustable subreflector;
- Fig. 4
- represents a further embodiment of an electromagnetically- adjustable subreflector.
- A Fresnel zone plate can be used for concentrating microwave radiation into a focal point. Fig. 1 represents a cross-section of a conventional Fresnel zone plate provided with a first system of subsidiary surfaces 1 and a second system of
subsidiary surfaces 2 formed by a system of circular grooves in a metal plate 3. The grooves have a depth of a quarter of the wavelength to be focused. Such a Fresnel lens enables the concentration of perpendicularly incident radiation into a focal point. The principle underlying the Fresnel zone plate is also described in great detail in Fundamentals of Optics, third edition, 1957, Jenkins and White, page 360. - For focusing electromagnetic radiation from a previously determined direction, a suitable system of Fresnel zones shall be calculated and the Fresnel zone plate shall be constructed accordingly. The calculation of the Fresnel zones follows directly from the known Fresnel theory based on a transformation from an incident flat wave front to a mostly spherical wave front that concentrates the electromagnetic energy into a previously selected focal point. For a perpendicularly incident wave front, the Fresnel zones constitute the known system consisting of a disc-shaped central spot surrounded by a number of concentric circles, the radius of circle m being proportional to the square root of m. The circles consequently become narrower and closer together. In case of non-perpendicularly incident radiation, these circles appear to have changed into complex, more or less elleptical contours. The contours can for each direction be simply calculated by dividing the surface of the Fresnel zone plate to be determined into an array of elements and by determining, per element, the path length of the electromagnetic radiation leaving the focal point, via the element, to a reference plane perpendicular to the desired radiation direction. The elements for which this path length deviates not more than 1/4 wavelength with respect to a reference length to be selected, are situated in a first plane, the other elements in a second plane, both planes constituting the Fresnel zone plate. It will be obvious that the path lengths are determined modulo the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation.
- According to the invention, each element is composed of a mechanically-adjustable subreflector. Fig. 2 schematically represents, fully analogous to Fig. 1, a cross-section of a Fresnel lens composed of a system of abutting subreflectors 4 of which the sides facing the incident radiation can assume two possible positions with an interspace of 1/4 wavelength of the radiation to be focused. This consequently yields a two-dimensional array of subreflectors 4, thousands of which will usually be required for constituting a Fresnel lens.
- The dimension of a subreflector can be selected according to the following procedure. Depending on the application, a diameter and a focal point for the Fresnel lens are selected. Subsequently, the Fresnel patterns are calculated for a number of directions of the incident radiation. The subreflector dimensions shall now be such that the finest structures in the Fresnel patterns can still be detected in a correspondingly driven system of subreflectors.
- A cross-section of a possible embodiment of an electromagnetically-adjustable subreflector 4 is schematically represented in Fig. 3. The
actual subreflector 5 is made of metal and faces the incident radiation and is mounted on apin 6 made of a ferromagnetic material, such as soft iron, which slides in a through-hole drilled in plate 7, also made of a ferromagnetic material. - An
extension 8, made of a substantially non-ferromagnetic material is mounted coaxially withpin 6;extension 8 slides in a through-hole drilled inplate 9. Between plate 7 and plate 9 a magnetic return path, not shown here, is provided. This results in an at least substantially closed magnetic path that includespin 6. By incorporating the remaining non-ferromagnetic gap in acoil 10 and by subsequently energizing thiscoil 10, it is possible to close the magnetic path as a result of whichactual subreflector 5 shifts 1/4 wavelength. In case of a current interruption, thespring 11 transfers theactual subreflector 5 to the initial position,spring 11 ending against aplate 12. - A favourable embodiment is obtained by using synthetic materials for the production of
actual subreflector 5,pin 6 andextension 8, which material is wherever required covered with ferromagnetic material and metal. - A further favourable embodiment of subreflector 4 is shown in Fig. 4; this embodiment comprises two
coils pins extension 8.Pin 14 slides inplate 12 that is provided with a through-hole and consists of a ferromagnetic material, for instance soft iron. A magnetic return path has again been provided betweenplate 9 andplate 12. This embodiment has the advantage that excitation of a coil is required only when subreflector 4 switches from one to the other position. - It will be obvious that analogous embodiments in which the coil is movable and the ferromagnetic material is fixed are also feasible.
- Another possibility is to use subreflector 4 as shown in Fig. 3 without a
spring 11. In that case the subreflector interior is pressurized by means of a gas, which pressure will exert an outward force onpin 6. Against this force,pin 6 can be pulled inwards byexciting coil 10. By furthermore allowing any leak between a hole and associatedpin extension 8, the escaping gas can moreover be used as an air bearing and coolant for thecoils - The adjustable Fresnel zone plate can advantageously be incorporated in a reservoir containing a microwave radiation-transmissive fluid that reduces both the wavelength of the microwave radiation and the required range of an adjustable subreflector. In addition, a fluid can improve the subreflector damping and can serve as lubricant. A suitable compartmentation of the reservoir moreover allows an overpressure in the subreflector required for forcing out
pin 6. - The Fresnel zone plate can also be irradiated by means of a radiation source with a spherical wave front, for instance a microwave feedhorn. According to the reciprocity principle, a flat wave with a selectable direction can then be realised.
Claims (10)
- Reflective Fresnel zone plate for concentrating electromagnetic radiation into a focal point, comprising a first system of reflective subsidiary surfaces lying in a first plane and a second system of reflective subsidiary surfaces lying in a second plane, these subsidiary surfaces constituting the zones of the Fresnel zone plate, characterised in that the Fresnel zone plate is provided with means for focusing electromagnetic radiation from a selectable direction.
- Fresnel zone plate as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the means comprise mechanically adjustable subreflectors and in that the subsidiary surfaces are formed by at least substantially abutting subreflectors.
- Fresnel zone plate as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that in the standard mode of operation, the subreflectors are always positioned either in the first plane or in the second plane.
- Fresnel zone plate as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the electrical distance between the first plane and the second plane is at least substantially a quarter of the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation to be focused.
- Fresnel zone plate as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the first plane and the second plane are both flat.
- Fresnel zone plate as claimed in one of the above claims, characterised in that the subreflectors are provided with electromagnetic setting means having two possible positions.
- Fresnel zone plate as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that the electromagnetic setting means comprises a moving part, containing ferromagnetic material, and at least one fixed coil.
- Fresnel zone plate as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that the electromagnetic setting means comprises at least one moving coil and a fixed ferromagnetic part.
- Fresnel zone plate as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that means are provided for moving a subreflector to a defined position without activating the electromagnetic setting means.
- Fresnel zone plate as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that the means comprise an overpressure of a medium in the subreflector.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
NL9400974A NL9400974A (en) | 1994-06-15 | 1994-06-15 | Adjustable Fresnel zone plate. |
NL9400974 | 1994-06-15 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0688062A2 true EP0688062A2 (en) | 1995-12-20 |
EP0688062A3 EP0688062A3 (en) | 1996-05-15 |
EP0688062B1 EP0688062B1 (en) | 2001-07-18 |
Family
ID=19864316
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19950201485 Expired - Lifetime EP0688062B1 (en) | 1994-06-15 | 1995-06-06 | Adjustable fresnel zone plate |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0688062B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69521744T2 (en) |
NL (1) | NL9400974A (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7184368B2 (en) | 2001-11-13 | 2007-02-27 | Sinvent As | Optical displacement sensor element |
WO2007047362A1 (en) * | 2005-10-19 | 2007-04-26 | Northrop Grumman Corporation | Radio frequency holographic transformer |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7136227B2 (en) | 2004-08-06 | 2006-11-14 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Fresnel zone plate based on elastic materials |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4905014A (en) | 1988-04-05 | 1990-02-27 | Malibu Research Associates, Inc. | Microwave phasing structures for electromagnetically emulating reflective surfaces and focusing elements of selected geometry |
US5063389A (en) | 1988-03-03 | 1991-11-05 | Hollandse Signaalapparaten B.V. | Antenna system with adjustable beam width and beam orientation |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3978484A (en) * | 1975-02-12 | 1976-08-31 | Collier Donald C | Waveguide-tuned phased array antenna |
GB2254192B (en) * | 1989-05-12 | 1994-01-12 | Marconi Gec Ltd | Antenna apparatus |
-
1994
- 1994-06-15 NL NL9400974A patent/NL9400974A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
-
1995
- 1995-06-06 EP EP19950201485 patent/EP0688062B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-06-06 DE DE1995621744 patent/DE69521744T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5063389A (en) | 1988-03-03 | 1991-11-05 | Hollandse Signaalapparaten B.V. | Antenna system with adjustable beam width and beam orientation |
US4905014A (en) | 1988-04-05 | 1990-02-27 | Malibu Research Associates, Inc. | Microwave phasing structures for electromagnetically emulating reflective surfaces and focusing elements of selected geometry |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7184368B2 (en) | 2001-11-13 | 2007-02-27 | Sinvent As | Optical displacement sensor element |
WO2007047362A1 (en) * | 2005-10-19 | 2007-04-26 | Northrop Grumman Corporation | Radio frequency holographic transformer |
US7460084B2 (en) | 2005-10-19 | 2008-12-02 | Northrop Grumman Corporation | Radio frequency holographic transformer |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
NL9400974A (en) | 1996-01-02 |
DE69521744D1 (en) | 2001-08-23 |
DE69521744T2 (en) | 2002-05-23 |
EP0688062A3 (en) | 1996-05-15 |
EP0688062B1 (en) | 2001-07-18 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
CA1321263C (en) | Antenna system with adjustable beam width and beam orientation | |
US3848104A (en) | Apparatus for heat treating a surface | |
US3586816A (en) | Spot welding system and method | |
EP0282593B1 (en) | Laser beam forming apparatus | |
US9583840B1 (en) | Microwave zoom antenna using metal plate lenses | |
US4285566A (en) | Optical scanning apparatus | |
JPH06318265A (en) | Laser scanning device for reading optical code | |
US3344365A (en) | Laser system employing means with no moving parts for producing an angularly rotatable beam of coherent light | |
JPH08169100A (en) | Device for forming stencil for printing | |
US3071036A (en) | Nutational scanning mirror | |
EP0688062A2 (en) | Adjustable fresnel zone plate | |
US5680429A (en) | X-ray generating apparatus and X-ray microscope | |
EP0055463A2 (en) | Heating device | |
EP1377868B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for orienting a surface | |
US4286230A (en) | Near millimeter wave generator with dielectric cavity | |
US4631547A (en) | Reflector antenna having sidelobe suppression elements | |
WO1987001243A1 (en) | Beam steerable antenna | |
US4122412A (en) | Magneto-optically tuned lasers | |
US5025183A (en) | Electromagnetic actuator driver apparatus with pivot axis | |
US4460061A (en) | Apparatus for increasing directivity of a sound source | |
US3396397A (en) | Dielectric zoom lens for microwave beam scanning | |
US5598386A (en) | Optimized linear motors for focus/tracking actuators in optical disk drives | |
Minin et al. | Fresnel zone plate lens and antennas for millimeter waves: history and evolutions of developments and applications | |
RU2032195C1 (en) | Scanner of powerful laser radiation | |
JPH07106668A (en) | Small-sized and sturdy gas laser device |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): DE FR GB NL SE |
|
PUAL | Search report despatched |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A3 Designated state(s): DE FR GB NL SE |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19961115 |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19990712 |
|
GRAG | Despatch of communication of intention to grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA |
|
GRAG | Despatch of communication of intention to grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA |
|
GRAH | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA |
|
GRAH | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): DE FR GB NL SE |
|
RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: THALES NEDERLAND B.V. |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 69521744 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 20010823 |
|
ET | Fr: translation filed | ||
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: IF02 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20020521 Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SE Payment date: 20020522 Year of fee payment: 8 Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20020522 Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Payment date: 20020531 Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20020621 Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
26N | No opposition filed | ||
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20030606 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20030607 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20040101 Ref country code: DE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20040101 |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20030606 |
|
EUG | Se: european patent has lapsed | ||
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20040227 |
|
NLV4 | Nl: lapsed or anulled due to non-payment of the annual fee |
Effective date: 20040101 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: ST |