Measuring the ability of electroptic materials to phase shaft RF energy

Claim 2

Apparatus for phase shifting radio frequency ("RF") energy, comprising: RF means, for providing the RF energy at a selected frequency; a waveguide flange, having a opening formed therein; first waveguide means, having an opening of predetermined dimensions, for propagating the RF energy along an entire length thereof to said flange opening, said first waveguide means having a first dimension of said opening that is tapered downward in a direction from said RF means to said flange opening, and having a second dimension of said opening that is constant in a direction from said RF means to said flange opening; a quantity of material disposed uniformly within said flange opening; impedance matching means, comprising a pair of layers disposed on both sides of said material and adjacent thereto, for propagating the RF energy through said material, thereby minimizing any reflections of the RF energy when contacting surfaces of said material; and an electrode, disposed in said material and operable to distribute an electric field across said flange opening in a predetermined direction that is both normal to a propagation direction of the RF energy and parallel to a polarization direction of the RF energy, whereby said electric field changes a corresponding refractive index of said material, thereby producing a varying path length therein, resulting in a controllable alteration of propagation phase of the RF energy.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: second waveguide means, disposed adjacent to said flange opening, having an opening of predetermined dimensions formed therein, for propagating the RF energy along an entire length thereof; and means, disposed after said second waveguide means, for detecting a phase shift in the RF energy.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: means, disposed after said flange opening, for detecting a phase shift in the RF energy.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said material disposed uniformly within said flange opening has refractive index properties which vary in the presence of an applied electric field.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said material disposed uniformly within said flange opening is ferroelectric material.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said ferroelectric material comprises any ferroelectric material having extraordinary refractive index (n e ) properties which vary in the presence of an applied electric field.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said material disposed uniformly within said flange opening comprises barium strontium titanate.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said impedance matching means comprises magnesium calcium titanate.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said second waveguide means has a first dimension of said opening that is tapered upward in a direction from said RF means to said flange, and has a second dimension of said opening that is constant in a direction from said RF means to said flange.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said selected frequency is within a frequency range of 1 GHz to 100 GHz.

Claim 12

Apparatus for testing the radio frequency ("RF") energy phase shifting ability of materials having refractive index properties which vary in the presence of an applied electric field, comprising: RF means, for providing RF energy at a selected frequency; first waveguide means, having an opening of predetermined dimensions, for propagating said RF energy along an entire length thereof; a waveguide flange, disposed adjacent to said first waveguide means, having a opening formed therein to receive a quantity of the material, said first waveguide means having a first dimension of said opening that is tapered downward in a direction from said RF means to said flange opening, and having a second dimension of said opening that is constant in a direction from said RF means to said flange opening; impedance matching means, comprising a pair of layers of material disposed adjacent to and on either side said flange opening, for propagating said RF energy through said flange opening, thereby minimizing any reflections of said RF energy when contacting surfaces of the material; voltage means, for providing an electric field across said flange opening in a predetermined direction that is both normal to a propagation direction of said RF energy and parallel to a polarization direction and optic axis of said RF energy, whereby said electric field changes the refractive index of the material, thereby producing a varying path length therein, resulting in a variable propagation phase of said RF energy; an electrically conductive plate, disposed within said material, said plate being electrically connected to said voltage means and operable to distribute said electric field in said predetermined direction; second waveguide means, disposed adjacent to said flange on a side of said flange opposite said side of said flange adjacent to said first waveguide means, having an opening of predetermined dimensions formed therein, for propagating said RF energy along an entire length of said second waveguide means, said second waveguide means having a first dimension of said opening that is tapered upward in a direction from said RF means to said flange opening, and having a second dimension of said opening that is constant in a direction from said RF means to said flange opening; and means, disposed after said second waveguide means, for detecting a phase shift in said RF energy.

Claim 13

Apparatus for testing the radio frequency ("RF") energy phase shifting ability of materials having refractive index properties which vary in the presence of an applied electric field, comprising: RF means, for providing RF energy at a selected frequency; first waveguide means, having an opening of predetermined dimensions, for propagating said RF energy along an entire length thereof; a waveguide flange, disposed adjacent to said first waveguide means, having a opening formed therein to receive a quantity of the material, said first waveguide means having a first dimension of said opening that is tapered downward in a direction from said RF means to said flange opening, and having a second dimension of said opening that is constant in a direction from said RF means to said flange opening; impedance matching means, comprising a pair of layers of material disposed adjacent to and on either side said flange opening, for propagating said RF energy through said flange opening, thereby minimizing any reflections of said RF energy when contacting surfaces of the material; voltage means, for providing an electric field across said flange opening in a predetermined direction that is both normal to a propagation direction of said RF energy and parallel to a polarization direction and optic axis of said RF energy, whereby said electric field changes the refractive index of the material, thereby producing a varying path length therein, resulting in a variable propagation phase of said RF energy; an electrically conductive plate, disposed within said material, said plate being electrically connected to said voltage means and operable to distribute said electric field in said predetermined direction; second waveguide means, disposed adjacent to said flange on a side of said flange opposite said side of said flange adjacent to said first waveguide means, having an opening of predetermined dimensions formed therein, for propagating said RF energy along an entire length of said second waveguide means, said second waveguide means having a first dimension of said opening that is tapered upward in a direction from said RF means to said flange opening, and having a second dimension of said opening that is constant in a direction from said RF means to said flange opening; and means, disposed after said second waveguide means, for detecting a phase shift in said RF energy.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said impedance matching means comprises magnesium calcium titanate.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said selected frequency is within a frequency range of 1 GHz to 100 GHz.