RU2777219C2 - Converter for conversion of electromagnetic wave into direct electric current - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: electrical engineering.

SUBSTANCE: present invention relates to the field of electrical engineering, in particular to a converter for conversion of an electromagnetic wave into direct electric current. The convertor contains at least one antenna (1, 1') and at least one rectifier (2) for conversion of alternating electric current into direct electric current, while specified at least one rectifier (2) is sequentially connected to the specified antenna. Antenna (1, 1') is configured for reception of an electromagnetic wave and resonating at a frequency of the specified electromagnetic wave with the generation of alternating electric current with a frequency equal to the frequency of the specified electromagnetic wave, and the specified rectifier contains a quantum diode for rectifying the specified alternating electric current at a high speed.

EFFECT: simplification of a converter structure.

15 cl, 12 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to a converter for converting an electromagnetic wave into direct current.

More specifically, the invention relates to the construction of said converter capable of converting natural and artificial electromagnetic waves into direct electric current, whereby it is possible to power any load that can be connected to said converter.

The term "electromagnetic waves" refers to electromagnetic waves with frequencies between 250 MHz and 750 THz, that is, electromagnetic waves with a wavelength between 1 mm and 400 nm (thus, this spectrum includes microwave, infrared, visible and ultraviolet waves).

In other words, we are talking about electromagnetic waves with frequencies related to the infrared spectrum, electromagnetic waves with frequencies related to the visible spectrum, and electromagnetic waves with frequencies related to the ultraviolet spectrum and close to the frequencies related to the visible spectrum.

Natural electromagnetic waves include electromagnetic waves of terrestrial and cosmic origin (including also electromagnetic waves coming from the sun).

For example, light coming from the sun is a mixture of electromagnetic waves, which, in terms of the optical spectrum, have wavelengths related to the infrared spectrum, the visible spectrum, and the ultraviolet spectrum.

Cosmic electromagnetic waves come from space (in particular, from the Sun) and consist, in addition to particles, of X-rays and gamma rays, as well as electromagnetic waves with frequencies from hundreds of MHz to hundreds of THz.

Man-made electromagnetic waves include electromagnetic waves artificially generated as signals on appropriate carriers that are intended to be received by radio-television devices, electronic mobile devices, or any electrical or electronic equipment in residential, industrial, and personal use.

State of the art

Currently, converters for converting electromagnetic waves into direct electric current are not known.

At the same time, the electromagnetic collector disclosed in "Kotter et al. "Solar antenna electromagnetic collectors", Proceedings of ES2008, Energy Sustainability 2008, 14 August 2008" is known.

Said electromagnetic collector is capable of detecting radiation with wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum and converting solar energy into electricity.

In particular, said converter consists of nanoantennas capable of resonating at predetermined wavelengths and tunnel diodes for rectifying alternating electric current.

However, said electromagnetic collector has disadvantages.

One of the disadvantages is that the electromagnetic collector is not able to provide a constant electric current that is stable over time.

An additional disadvantage is that the design of the collector is complex, resulting in significant manufacturing costs.

Purpose of the invention

The purpose of the present invention is to overcome these disadvantages and to provide a converter for converting electromagnetic waves into direct electric current, having a simple structure and low cost.

Preferably, said converter can supply any load connected to it with direct current produced by said converter.

A further object of the present invention is that said converter can rectify alternating current into direct current at high speed.

Subject of invention

Therefore, the subject of the invention is a converter for converting electromagnetic waves with a length of 1 mm to 400 nm into direct electric current, while said converter contains:

- at least one antenna configured to receive an electromagnetic wave and resonate at the frequency of said electromagnetic wave to generate an alternating electric current having a frequency equal to the frequency of said electromagnetic wave,

at least one rectifier for converting said alternating electric current into direct electric current, said at least one rectifier being connected in series with said antenna.

In this case, the specified antenna contains:

a dielectric layer, the thickness of which is equal to one quarter of the length of said electromagnetic wave, and

conductive metal layer.

In this case, the specified rectifier contains a quantum diode containing:

the first dielectric layer containing the first surface and the second surface located opposite the specified first surface, while the thickness of the first dielectric layer is equal to a quarter of the wavelength of the specified electromagnetic wave,

a first electrode or cathode made of a first metal material different from the metal material of the conductive layer of said antenna, said first electrode being partly in contact with a first surface of said first dielectric layer and partly in contact with said antenna; in cross section, said first electrode has a first height and has a first side with a first end in contact with the first surface of the first dielectric layer and a second end opposite the first end, a second side with the first end in contact with the first surface of the first dielectric layer , and a second end opposite the first end, as well as a third side connecting the second end of the specified first side with the second end of the specified second side, while the specified third side has a first end in contact with the second end of the specified first side, so that the specified first party and said third party have a point of contact,

the second dielectric layer containing the first part, this first part contains the first section in contact with a part of the specified third side of the first electrode, the second section in contact with the specified first side of the specified first electrode, and the third section in contact with part of the first surface of the specified first dielectric layer, and

a second electrode or anode made of a second metallic material identical to that of said antenna and partially in contact with a first portion of said second dielectric layer such that said second electrode is separated from said first electrode by said first portion of the second dielectric layer; wherein in cross section said second electrode has a second height greater than the first height of said first electrode.

In particular, said first side and said third side are positioned to form an angle greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90° such that when said antenna resonates at an electromagnetic wave frequency, a corresponding number of electrons are transferred from said first electrode to said the second electrode by tunneling through said second dielectric layer at said contact point.

Preferably, said angle lies between 5° and 30°.

The second electrical layer may have a thickness ranging from 1.5 nm to 4 nm, preferably 2 nm.

In addition, said second dielectric layer may comprise a second part spatially separated from said first part and comprising a first section in contact with another part of said third side of the first electrode, a second section in contact with said second side of said first electrode, and a third section in contact with another part of the first surface of said first dielectric layer.

In particular, the distance between said second part and said first part lies between 70 nm and 100 nm.

The quantum diode may include a support layer in contact with the second surface of said first dielectric layer.

In a first alternative, said support layer of the quantum diode is made from a material selected from the following group: polycarbonate, polyethylene, polyester fabric, cycloolefin copolymers, preferably Topas.

In the second alternative, said supporting layer of the quantum diode is made of a material selected from the following group: glass, plexiglass.

In particular, in a quantum diode, said first dielectric layer may be made of silicon dioxide, said first electrode may be made of chromium, said second dielectric layer may be made of alumina or hafnium dioxide, and said second electrode may be made of gold.

In the proposed antenna, the dielectric layer has a first surface and a second surface opposite to said first surface. In a first alternative, the antenna may comprise:

a reinforcing layer in contact with the first surface of said dielectric layer, the reinforcing layer being preferably made of chromium; and

a support layer in contact with the second surface of said dielectric layer,

wherein said conductive layer is in contact with said reinforcing layer, and said conductive layer is preferably made of gold.

In a second alternative, said conductive layer is in contact with a first surface of said dielectric layer, said conductive layer being preferably aluminum or copper.

Said antenna support layer may be made from a material selected from the following group: polycarbonate, polyethylene, polyester fabric, cycloolefin copolymers, preferably Topas.

Said antenna dielectric layer may be made of silicon dioxide.

According to the invention, said antenna may comprise a first dipole and a second dipole, and is preferably a planar antenna.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the thickness of said antenna may lie between 0.3 µm and 0.5 µm, and is preferably 0.3 µm.

List of drawings

The present invention is described below by way of illustration and not limitation, according to embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, where:

in fig. 1 schematically shows a first embodiment of a converter according to the invention, comprising a group of antennas and a rectifier connected in series with said group of antennas, wherein the antennas of said group of antennas are connected to each other in series, and each antenna is configured to resonate on an electromagnetic wave having a wavelength, belonging to the infrared spectrum;

in fig. 2A schematically shows an antenna from the antenna group of the converter shown in FIG. 1, wherein said antenna is in the form of a square helix and includes a first dipole and a second dipole, each of which contains a plurality of parts;

in fig. 2B schematically shows an antenna from the group of antennas of the converter shown in FIG. 1, showing the lengths of each part of the two dipoles that are part of the antenna;

in fig. 2C schematically shows an antenna from the group of antennas of the converter shown in FIG. 1, showing the distances between different parts of the two dipoles of said antenna;

in fig. 3 is a sectional view showing the layered structure of an antenna of the antenna group of the LNB shown in FIG. one;

in fig. 4 shows an alternative layer structure of an antenna from the antenna group of the converter shown in FIG. one;

in fig. 5 schematically shows the converter rectifier;

in fig. 6 schematically shows a second version of the converter according to the invention, comprising a group of antennas and one rectifier connected in series with said group of antennas, wherein the antennas from said group of antennas are connected to each other in series and each antenna is configured to resonate on an electromagnetic wave having a wavelength belonging to the infrared spectrum and close to the wavelengths of the visible spectrum;

in fig. 7A schematically shows an antenna from the antenna group of the converter shown in FIG. 6, said antenna having the shape of an elliptical helix and comprising a first dipole and a second dipole, showing the distance between the first end of the first dipole and the first end of the second dipole, the size of the second end of the first dipole and the second end of the second dipole, and the distance between the predetermined first point a first dipole and a predetermined second point of the second dipole;

in fig. 7B schematically shows an antenna from the group of antennas of the converter shown in FIG. 6, showing how the distance between the first dipole and the second dipole of the same antenna changes in the first direction from the first end of the first dipole to the second end of the first dipole, and how the distance between the second dipole and the first dipole of the same antenna changes in the second direction from the first end the second dipole to the second end of the second dipole;

in fig. 7C schematically shows an antenna from the group of antennas of the converter shown in FIG. 6 showing the width of some parts of the first dipole and the width of some parts of the second dipole;

in fig. 8 schematically shows a converter system comprising two converters connected in series with each other.

Detailed description

Throughout the present specification and claims, the term "comprises" is used interchangeably with the term "consists of".

With reference to FIG. 1 describes the first version of the converter for converting electromagnetic waves into direct electric current.

The specified converter contains:

- at least one antenna 1 configured to receive an electromagnetic wave and resonate at the frequency of said electromagnetic wave to generate an alternating electric current having a frequency equal to the frequency of said electromagnetic wave,

at least one rectifier 2 for converting said alternating electric current into direct electric current, said at least one rectifier 2 being connected in series with said antenna.

In particular, in this embodiment of the invention, said converter comprises a plurality of antennas connected in series with each other.

In other words, said converter contains a group of antennas, which may in turn contain one or more antennas.

As for antennas 1, each antenna 1 contains:

a dielectric layer 110 (shown in FIG. 3) having a thickness equal to one quarter of the wavelength of said electromagnetic wave,

a conductive layer 130, 130' of metallic material (shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4).

In this embodiment of the present invention, said group of antennas comprises sixteen antennas arranged in a 4×4 matrix and a rectifier 2 connected in series with the antenna, which occupies the position defined by the fourth row and fourth column in said matrix.

In particular, each antenna contains a first dipole 1A and a second dipole 1B.

In addition, the distance between the antennas located in the row of the specified matrix and the antennas located in the next row of the specified matrix is 0.2 μm.

However, it is not necessary for said group of antennas to contain sixteen antennas, nor for said antennas to be arranged in a matrix.

For example, within the scope of the invention, said group of antennas may comprise a plurality of antennas in any number and arranged along an axis so that they form a string.

Each of said antennas is configured to resonate with infrared electromagnetic waves having a wavelength of 155.08 µm (frequency approximately 1.93 THz) and generate an alternating electric current having a frequency equal to the frequency of said electromagnetic waves.

Such antennas allow you to receive electromagnetic waves day and night, because infrared radiation is present both day and night.

In addition, each antenna 1 has a geometric structure substantially shaped to form a square helix.

In fact, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 2A, said first dipole 1A and said second dipole 1B are designed to form a substantially square helix.

In particular, said first dipole 1A and second dipole 1B respectively have a first part S1, S1', a second part S2, S2' perpendicular to said first part, a third part S3, S3' perpendicular to said second part, a fourth part S4, S4' perpendicular to said third portion, a fifth portion S5, S5' perpendicular to said fourth portion, a sixth portion S6, S6' perpendicular to said fifth portion, a seventh portion S7, S7' perpendicular to said sixth portion, and an eighth part S8, S8', perpendicular to the specified seventh part.

In the first dipole 1A, the first part S1 is parallel to the third part S3, the fifth part S5 and the seventh part S7, and the second part S2 is parallel to the fourth part S4, the sixth part S6 and the eighth part S8.

In the second dipole 1B, the first part S1' is parallel to the third part S3', the fifth part S5' and the seventh part S7', and the second part S2' is parallel to the fourth part S4', the sixth part S6' and the eighth part S8'.

The two dipoles are configured so that the first part S1 of the first dipole 1A is parallel to the first part S1' of the second dipole 1B, and the second part S2 of the first dipole 1A is parallel to the second part S2' of the second dipole 1B.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, the length of each dipole is 19.3887 µm and the antenna comprises a plurality of layers (as discussed below) including a conductive layer of a metallic material, preferably gold, 0.3 µm thick.

In FIG. 2B shows the lengths of each part of the two dipoles of antenna 1 of the group of antennas.

All values in Fig. 2 V are expressed in µm.

In the first dipole 1A, the lengths of each part are equal to:

length of the first part S1 1.8508 µm,

length of the second part S2 4.775 µm,

length of the third part S3 3.5258 µm,

length of the fourth part S4 3.4306 µm,

length of the fifth part of S5 2.3696 µm,

length of the sixth part of S6 2.1427 µm,

length of the seventh part of S7 1.3757 µm,

the length of the eighth part of S8 is 0.9082 µm.

In the second dipole 1B, the lengths of each part are:

length of the first part S1' 1.7523 µm,

length of the second part S2' 4.7273 µm,

length of the third part S3' 3.5258 µm,

length of the fourth part S4' 3.4367 µm,

length of the fifth part S5' 2.3652 µm,

length of the sixth part S6' 2.1414 µm,

length of the seventh part of S7 1.3911 µm,

eighth length S8' 0.9242 µm

The width of each part of the first dipole is 0.3521 μm and is equal to the width of each part of the second dipole.

In addition, the first dipole 1A and the second dipole 1B have a respective first end 11A, 11B and a respective second end 12A, 12B.

The first end 11A of the first dipole 1A is connected to the first part S1 of the first dipole, and the second end 12A of the first dipole 1A is connected to the eighth part S8 of the first dipole.

The length of the first end 11A is 0.9528 µm (0.6007 µm + 0.3521 µm) and the width of the first end 11A is 0.5058 µm.

The first end 11B of the second dipole 1B is connected to the first part S1' of the second dipole, and the second end 12B of the second dipole 1B is connected to the eighth part S8' of the second dipole.

The length of the first end 11B is 0.7676 µm and the width of the first end 11B is 0.5058 µm.

The second end 11B of the first dipole 1A of the antenna faces the second end 12V of the second dipole 1B of the same antenna, and the first end 11B of the second dipole 1B of said antenna is connected to the first end 11A of the first dipole 1A of the next antenna and is connected in series with said antenna belonging to that the same group of antennas.

The distance between the second end 12A of the first dipole 1A and the second end 12B of the second dipole 1B is 0.22 µm.

In FIG. 2C shows the distances between different parallel portions of two antenna dipoles 1 of the group of antennas.

All numerical values shown in FIG. 2C are expressed in µm.

The distances between the dipoles and the thicknesses of the dipoles are chosen to create a dielectric capacitance between the dipoles to optimize the resonance of the antenna itself.

The distance between the first part S1 of the first dipole 1A and the third part of the second dipole 1B is 0.3108 µm.

The distance between the second part S2 of the first dipole and the fourth part S4' of the second dipole is 0.7730 µm.

The distance between the third part S3 of the first dipole 1A and the first part S1' of the second dipole is 0.3092 µm.

The distance between the third part S3 of the first dipole 1A and the fifth part S5' of the second dipole 1B is 0.3110 µm.

The distance between the fourth part S4 of the first dipole 1A and the second part S2' of the second dipole 1B is 0.2750 µm.

The distance between the fourth part S4 of the first dipole 1A and the sixth part S6' of the second dipole 1B is 0.2704 µm.

The distance between the fifth part S5 of the first dipole 1A and the third part S3' of the second dipole 1B is 0.3106 µm.

The distance between the fifth part S5 of the first dipole 1A and the seventh part S7' of the second dipole is 0.3308 µm.

The distance between the sixth part S6 of the first dipole 1A and the fourth part S4' of the second dipole 1B is 0.2706 µm.

The distance between the sixth part S6 of the first dipole 1A and the eighth part S8' of the second dipole 1B is 0.1370 µm.

The distance between the seventh part S7 of the first dipole 1A and the fifth part S5' of the second dipole 1B is 0.3126 µm.

The distance between the eighth part S8 of the first dipole 1A and the sixth part S6' of the second dipole is 1B 0.1450 µm.

The distance between the eighth part S8 of the first dipole 1A and the seventh part S7' of the second dipole 1B is 0.3118 µm.

In FIG. 3 shows a multilayer structure of an antenna 1 from a group of antennas.

The specified antenna 1 contains the following layers, going sequentially from the base to the top:

- support layer 100,

- dielectric layer 110

- a reinforcing layer 120 of a metallic material, preferably chromium,

a conductive layer 130 of a metallic material, preferably gold.

In particular, the dielectric layer 110 has a first surface 110A and a second surface 110B opposite to said first surface 110A.

The chromium reinforcement layer 120 is in contact with the first surface 110A of the dielectric layer 110, and the support layer 100 is in contact with the second surface 110B of the dielectric layer.

The conductive layer 130 is made of gold because gold is an excellent conductor. However, said gold conductive layer, if subjected to bending, may deform or even break, thereby risking blocking the path for electric current. Therefore, the design of the antenna includes a chromium reinforcement layer 120 to reinforce said gold conductive layer.

Preferably, said dielectric layer is made of silicon dioxide (SiO ₂ ).

It is further preferred that said backing layer 100 be made of a polymeric material such as polyethylene or polycarbonate.

In particular, said support layer may be made of a material selected from the following group: polycarbonate, polyethylene, polyester fabric, cycloolefin copolymers, preferably Topas.

The polymeric material provides the support layer with a predetermined degree of flexibility and provides the mass of said antenna.

As for the reinforcement layer 120 and the conductive layer 130, it is preferable that the reinforcement layer 120 is formed on the dielectric layer 110 by lithography, and the conductive layer 130 is formed on the reinforcement layer 120 by lithography.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4, each antenna 1 contains the following layers, running in sequence from the base to the top:

- support layer 100,

- dielectric layer 110,

a conductive layer 130' of a metallic material, preferably aluminum or copper.

In particular, said conductive layer 130' is in contact with the first surface 110A of said dielectric layer 110, and said supporting layer 100 is in contact with the second surface 110B of said dielectric layer 110.

In other words, in this alternative embodiment of the present invention, the gold conductive layer 130 and the chromium reinforcement layer 120 are omitted from the antenna structure and replaced with an aluminum or copper conductive layer 130'.

The presence of a conductive layer of aluminum or copper reduces the cost of manufacturing the antenna.

It is particularly preferred that the conductive layer 130' be formed on the dielectric layer 110 by lithography.

In FIG. 3 schematically shows the construction of a rectifier 2 configured to convert an alternating electrical current generated by a group of antennas into a direct electrical current that can power any load associated with said rectifier.

Said rectifier 2 contains a quantum diode which contains:

a first dielectric layer 21 having a first surface 21A and a second surface 21B opposite said first surface 21A, wherein the thickness of the first dielectric layer 21 is equal to a quarter of the length of said electromagnetic wave,

a first electrode or cathode 22 made of a first metallic material different from the metallic material of the conductive layer 130 of the antenna 1, the first electrode 22 being partly in contact with the first surface 21A of said first dielectric layer 21 and partly in contact with said antenna 1, 1' (in particular with the first dipole 1A of said antenna 1); in cross section, said first electrode 22 has a first height H1 and comprises a first side 221 with a first end in contact with the first surface 21A of the first dielectric layer 21 and a second end opposite said first end, a second side 222 with the first end in contact with the first surface 21A of the first dielectric layer 21, and the second end opposite the first end, as well as the third side 223 connecting the second end of the specified first side 221 with the second end of the specified second side 222, while the specified third side 223 has a first end located in contact with the second end of said first side 221 such that said first side and said third side have a point of contact P,

a second dielectric layer 23 comprising a first part 231, said first part comprising a first section 231 A in contact with a part of said third side 223 of said first electrode 22 and with a part of said antenna 1 (in particular, with the first dipole 1A of said antenna 1), a second section 231B in contact with said first side 221 of said first electrode 22, and a third section 231C in contact with a portion of first surface 21A of said first dielectric layer 21,

- a second electrode or anode 24 made of a second metal material identical to the metal material of the conductive layer of said antenna 1 and partly in contact with the first part of said second dielectric layer 23 so that said second electrode 24 is separated from said first electrode 22 by first part 231 the second dielectric layer 23; moreover, in the cross section, said second electrode 24 has a second height H2 greater than the first height H1 of said first electrode 22.

Specifically, said first side 221 and third side 223 of the first electrode 22 are configured to form an angle greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°, so that when each antenna 1 resonates at an electromagnetic wave frequency, the corresponding number of electrons moves from said first electrode 22 to said second electrode 24, passing, due to the tunnel effect, the second dielectric layer 23 at the corresponding contact point P.

Accordingly, this tunneling effect is a quantum tunneling effect, and the specified number of electrons is able to pass through the second dielectric layer 23, reaching the second electrode 24, but is not able to return to the first electrode 22 by passing through the second dielectric layer 23 again.

At high frequency, the transition of the specified number of electrons from the first electrode 22 to the second electrode 24 takes place in the time Δt (on the order of nanoseconds), therefore, as soon as the second electrode 24 is reached, the specified number of electrons continues its unidirectional movement.

A quantum diode does not heat up and is more energy efficient than a p-n junction diode, since said quantum diode dissipates such an amount of heat and energy that is not significant compared to a p-n junction diode.

Preferably, said angle is between 5° and 30° in order to facilitate the transfer of electrons from the first electrode 22 to the second electrode 24 at a single point, i.e., the said contact point P, and to reduce the scattering of electrons in order to obtain a greater efficiency of alternating electric current conversion. into direct current.

In the first disclosed embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode 22 is partially in contact with the first dipole 1A of the antenna 1, but it could be in contact with the second dipole 1B of the antenna 1 without departing from the scope of the invention.

In addition, the specified dielectric layer 23 contains the second part 232, spatially separated from the first part 231, while the specified second part 232 contains the first section 232A, which is in contact with another part of the third side 223 of the first electrode 22, the second section 232B, located in in contact with the second side 222 of the first electrode 22, and a third section 232C which is in contact with another part of the first surface 21A of the first dielectric layer 21.

The distance between the second part 232 and the first part 231, in particular the distance between the first section 231A of said first part 231 and the first section 232A of the second part 232 lies between 70 nm and 100 nm.

In addition, in the first disclosed embodiment of the present invention, the first dielectric layer 21 is made of silicon dioxide (SiO ₂ ), the first metal material of which the first electrode 22 is made is chromium, the second dielectric layer 23 is made of aluminum oxide (Al ₂ O ₃ ), and the second metallic material of which the second electrode 24 is made is gold.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, in the second dielectric layer 23, the alumina may be replaced by hafnium dioxide (HfO ₂ ), which is within the scope of the invention.

In addition, the thickness of said second dielectric layer is chosen to prevent electrons from returning to the first electrode after they have traveled from the first electrode 22 to the second electrode 24 and have reached said second electrode.

The thickness of said dielectric layer 23 may lie between 1.5 nm and 4 nm, and is preferably 2 nm.

As mentioned above, the rectifier 2 contains a quantum diode for converting an alternating electric current into a direct electric current.

Specifically, as mentioned above, said diode is a quantum diode and is designed to rectify an alternating current at a high speed into a direct current.

This is due to the asymmetry of the design of the quantum diode, and the asymmetry of this design is due to the difference in the metallic material of the first electrode 22 and the second electrode 24 and the difference in the height of the first electrode 22 and the second electrode 24.

In addition, said quantum diode comprises a support layer 20 in contact with the second surface 21B of said first dielectric layer 21.

In a first alternative embodiment of the present invention, the support layer 20 may have a predetermined degree of flexibility and may be made from a material selected from the following group: polyethylene, polyester.

In a second alternative embodiment of the present invention, said support layer 20 may have a predetermined degree of rigidity and may be made of a material selected from the following group: glass, plexiglass.

In the second embodiment of the converter shown in FIG. 6 and different from the first embodiment of the present invention, each antenna 1 of the antenna group is configured to resonate on electromagnetic waves belonging to the infrared spectrum and having a wavelength equal to 11.2 μm (frequency approximately equal to 26 THz), while the specified the wavelength is close to the wavelengths of the visible spectrum.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, the group of antennas of the specified converter contains thirty antennas 1' arranged in a 5×6 matrix, and a rectifier 2 connected in series with the antenna, which occupies the position corresponding to the fifth row and sixth column in the specified matrix.

However, it is not necessary that thirty antennas be included in said antenna group, or that the antennas be arranged in a matrix.

For example, within the scope of the invention, said group of antennas may comprise any number of antennas arranged along an axis in a row.

Each antenna 1' contains a first dipole 1A' and a second dipole 1B' and has a geometric structure substantially forming an elliptical helix.

In fact, said first dipole 1A' and said second dipole 1B' are curved and positioned so as to form an elliptical helix.

In particular, the first dipole 1A' and the second dipole 1B' have a respective first end 11A', 11B' and a respective second end 12A', 12B'.

The second end 12 B' of the second dipole 1B' of the antenna 1' faces the end of the first dipole 1A' located near the second end 12A' of the first dipole 1A' of the same antenna, and the first end 11B' of the second dipole 1B' of said antenna is connected to the first end 11A' of the first dipole 1A' of the next antenna connected in series with said antenna.

In FIG. 7A shows the values of the distance between the first end 11A' of the first dipole 1A' and the first end of the second dipole 11B', the distance between the second end 12A' of the first dipole 1A' and the second end 12B' of the second dipole 1B', and the distance between the predetermined point of the first dipole 1A ' and a predetermined point of the second dipole 1B'.

All numerical values shown in Fig. 7A are given in µm.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the distance between the second end 12A' of the first dipole 1A' and the second end 12B' of the second dipole 1B' is 0.2 µm.

The shape of said antenna 1' (including the first dipole 1A' and the second dipole 1B') is such that they are inscribed in a rectangle with a base of 2.53 µm and a height of 2.55 µm.

Specifically, the first end 11A' of the first dipole 1A' and the first end 11B' of the second dipole 1B are located on the first axis A, and the distance between the predetermined first point D1 and the predetermined second point D2, located on the second axis B perpendicular to said first axis A and passing through the second end of the first dipole 1A', equal to 2.55 μm.

In FIG. 7B shows how the distance between the first dipole 1A' and the second dipole 1B' of the antenna 1' changes in the first direction from the end 11A' of the first dipole 1A' to the second end 12A' of the first dipole 1A', and how the distance between the second dipole 1B' changes. and a first dipole 1A' of the same antenna in the second direction from the first end 11B' of the second dipole 1B' to the second end of the second dipole 12B'.

All numerical values in Fig. 7 V are given in µm.

As seen in FIG. 7B, the distance between the first dipole 1A' and the second dipole 1B' increases from the first value of 0.27 µm to the second value of 0.40 µm in the first direction from the first end 11A' of the first dipole 1A to the second end 12A. ' of the first dipole.

The distance between the second dipole 1B' and the first dipole 1A' increases from the first value of 0.33 µm to the second value of 0.40 µm in the second direction from the first end 11B' of the second dipole 1B' to the second end 12 V' second dipole.

In FIG. 7C shows the width of some elements of the first dipole 1A' and the width of some of the elements of the second dipole 1B' of the antenna 1'. All numerical values in Fig. 7C are given in µm.

As seen in FIG. 7C, the width of the first dipole 1A' increases from the first end 11A' to a predetermined part of the dipole, and then gradually decreases towards the second end 12A' of the dipole.

The width of the first dipole 1A' increases from a first value of 0.04 µm, essentially at the second end 12A', to a second value of 0.25 µm, essentially in the part of the dipole located at a distance of one quarter of the length of the first dipole, and then decreases from said second value to a third value of 0.22 µm substantially in the portion of the dipole located at a distance of three quarters of the length of the first dipole, and decreases from said third value to a fourth value of 0.16 µm near the first end 11B of the second dipole 1B'.

The width of the second dipole 1B' increases from a first value of 0.04 µm substantially at the first end 11B' to a second value of 0.25 µm substantially in the part of the dipole located at a distance of one quarter of the length of the second dipole, and then decreases from said second value to a third value of 0.15 µm substantially in the portion of the dipole located at a distance of three quarters of the length of the second dipole, and changes from said third value to a fourth value of 0.16 µm near the second end 12 B' second dipole 1B'.

In the disclosed embodiments of the present invention, each antenna is preferably made using nanotechnology.

In addition, it is preferable that the antenna 1,1' is a planar antenna.

In addition, the thickness of each antenna can be between 0.3 µm and 0.5 µm, preferably 0.3 µm, so that the antenna has an impedance greater than that of the quantum diode. In particular, in the disclosed embodiments of the present invention, an impedance equal to or substantially equal to 370 ohms can be obtained with such a thickness, and the quantum diode defined by the dielectric material of the second dielectric layer has a resistance between 140 ohms and 180 ohms.

In FIG. 8 shows a converter system for converting an electromagnetic wave into a direct electric current.

Said converter system comprises a first converter disclosed in the first embodiment of the present invention and a second converter disclosed in the second embodiment of the present invention, said second converter being connected in series with the rectifier of the first converter.

However, said LNB system may comprise any number of LNBs connected in series with each other, and said LNBs may also be identical in terms of the shape of the antennas that are part of the respective antenna groups (for example, each LB may have an antenna group whose antennas are geometrically a square helix shape or an elliptical helix geometry, or each antenna of an antenna group may contain only one dipole), and may contain the same or different number of antennas.

As already mentioned, the converter makes it possible to produce a direct electric current from a natural or artificial electromagnetic wave, which makes it possible to power any load associated with this converter.

In particular, said converter makes it possible to convert electromagnetic waves with different frequencies into direct electric current.

Therefore, the electromagnetic waves generated by the high temperature of any device capable of generating heat, such as a radiator or engine, can be converted into direct current.

The second advantage is due to the fact that the converter has a simple structure and hence a low production cost as well as a low installation cost.

The third advantage is due to the fact that the converter is able to produce direct electrical current regardless of weather conditions and time of day.

A fourth advantage is that, when used in an outdoor environment, there is no need to specifically orient the converter, and it does not need a driving means to move it, for example, depending on the position of the sun, since it is enough for the converter to receive electromagnetic waves.

An additional advantage stems from the fact that the converter is lightweight and extremely thin, and therefore environmentally friendly.

The present invention has been described by way of illustration only, and not by way of limitation, in terms of the preferred embodiment, but it is obvious that changes and/or modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims.

Claims (38)

1. Converter for converting electromagnetic waves with a wavelength between 1 mm and 400 nm into direct electric current, containing: - at least one antenna (1,1') configured to receive an electromagnetic wave and resonate at the frequency of said electromagnetic wave to generate an alternating electric current having a frequency equal to the frequency of said electromagnetic wave, - at least one rectifier (2) for converting said alternating electric current into direct electric current, wherein said at least one rectifier (2) is connected in series with said antenna (1,1'), while said antenna (1,1') contains: a dielectric layer (110) having a thickness equal to one quarter of the wavelength of said electromagnetic wave, and conductive layer (130 130') of metallic material; and said rectifier (2) contains a quantum diode containing: a first dielectric layer (21) having a first surface (21 A) and a second surface (21 B) opposite the first surface (21 A), wherein the thickness of the first dielectric layer (21) is equal to one quarter of the wavelength of said electromagnetic wave, the first electrode or cathode (22) made of the first metal material, different from the metal material of the conductive layer (130 130') of the specified antenna (1,1'), while the first electrode (22) is partially in contact with the first surface (21 A) said first dielectric layer (21) and partly in contact with said antenna (1,1'); in cross section, the first electrode (22) has a first height (H1) and has a first side (221) with the first end in contact with the first surface (21 A) of the first dielectric layer (21) and the second end opposite the first end, the second side (222) with the first end in contact with the first surface (21 A) of the first dielectric layer (21) and the second end opposite the first end, and the third side (223) connecting the second end of the said first side (221) with the second end of the specified second side (222), while the specified third side (223) has a first end in contact with the second end of the specified first side (221), so that the specified first side and the specified third side have a point of contact (P) , the second dielectric layer (23) containing the first part (231), while the specified first part contains the first section (231 A) in contact with the part of the specified third side (223) of the first electrode (22), the second section (231 V) in contact with said first side (221) of first electrode (22) and a third section (231C) in contact with part of first surface (21 A) of said first dielectric layer (21), a second electrode or anode (24) made of a second metal material identical to the metal material of the conductive layer (130 130') of said antenna (1,1') and partially in contact with the first part of said second dielectric layer (23), so that said second electrode (24) is separated from said first electrode (22) by said first portion (231) of second dielectric layer (23); in this case, in the cross section, the said second electrode (24) has a second height (H2) greater than the first height (H1) of the said first electrode (22), wherein said first side (221) and said third side (223) are positioned so as to form an angle greater than 0° and less than or equal to 90°, so that each antenna (1,1') resonates at the frequency of the electromagnetic wave, and an appropriate number of electrons are transferred from said first electrode (22) to said second electrode (24) by tunneling through said second dielectric layer (23) at said contact point (P). 2. Converter according to claim 1, characterized in that said angle lies between 5° and 30°. 3. Converter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the thickness of said second dielectric layer (23) is between 1.5 nm and 4 nm, preferably 2 nm. 4. Converter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second dielectric layer (23) comprises a second part (232) spatially separated from said first part (231) and containing a first section (232A) in contact with the other part said third side (223) of the first electrode (22), a second section (232V) in contact with said second side (222) of the first electrode (22), and a third section (232C) in contact with another part of the first surface (21 A) said first dielectric layer (21). 5. Converter according to claim 4, characterized in that the distance between said second part (232) and said first part (231) lies between 70 nm and 100 nm. 6. Converter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said quantum diode comprises a supporting layer (20) in contact with the second surface (21 V) of said first dielectric layer (21). 7. Converter according to claim 6, characterized in that said supporting layer (20) of the quantum diode is made of a material selected from the following group: polycarbonate, polyethylene, polyester fabric, cycloolefin copolymers, preferably Topas. 8. Converter according to claim 6, characterized in that said support layer (20) is made of a material selected from the following group: glass, plexiglass. 9. Converter according to any of the previous paragraphs, characterized in that said first dielectric layer (21) is made of silicon dioxide, said first electrode (22) is made of chromium, said second dielectric layer (23) is made of alumina or hafnium dioxide, said second electrode (24) is made of gold. 10. Converter according to any one of paragraphs. 1-9, characterized in that the dielectric layer (110) of said antenna (1,1') has a first surface (110A) and a second surface (110V) opposite to said first surface (110A), while said antenna (1,1') contains: a reinforcing layer (120) in contact with the first surface (110A) of said dielectric layer (110), wherein the reinforcing layer (120) is preferably made of chromium; and a support layer (100) in contact with the second surface (110 V) of said dielectric layer (110), wherein said conductive layer (130) is in contact with said reinforcing layer (120), and said conductive layer (130) is preferably made of gold. 11. Converter according to any one of paragraphs. 1-9, characterized in that the dielectric layer (110) of said antenna (1,1') has a first surface (110A) and a second surface (110V) opposite to said first surface (110A), while said antenna (1) contains: a support layer (100) in contact with the second surface (110 V) of said dielectric layer (110), wherein said conductive layer (130') is in contact with the first surface (110A) of said dielectric layer (110), and said conductive layer (130') is preferably made of aluminum or copper. 12. Converter according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that said supporting layer (100) of said antenna (1, 1') is made of a material selected from the following group: polycarbonate, polyethylene, polyester fabric, cycloolefin copolymers, preferably Topas. 13. Converter according to any one of paragraphs. 10-12, characterized in that said dielectric layer (110) is made of silicon dioxide. 14. Converter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said antenna (1,1') contains a first dipole (1A, 1A') and a second dipole (1B, 1B') and is a planar antenna. 15. Converter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said antenna (1,1') has a thickness between 0.3 µm and 0.5 µm, preferably 0.3 µm.

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