_ Section Nano antennas (Rectenna)

Nano antennas(Rectenna) Distribution of alternating current(with a wavelength that is 100 times smaller than the wavelength of free space) 

Researcher and author: Dr. Afshin Rashid



Note: In general, in order to receive the electromagnetic wave in the space, the dimensions of the antenna must be in the order of the wavelength of the input to its surface. Due to the very small dimensions of nano sensors, nano antennas need to have a very high working frequency to be usable. 

Using graphene helps to solve this problem to a great extent. The speed of propagation of waves in CNTs and GNRs can be 100 times lower than its speed in vacuum, and this is related to the physical structure, temperature and energy. Based on this, the resonance frequency of graphene-based nano-antennas can be two orders of magnitude lower than nano-antennas based on nano-carbon materials. It has been proven mathematically and theoretically that the quasi-metallic carbon nanotube can emit terahertz radiation when a time-varying voltage is applied to its sides.One of the most important parameters of any nano The current distribution antenna is on it. It determines the characteristics of the radiation pattern, radiation resistance and reactance, and many important characteristics of the antenna. Despite the possibilities Making nanotubes with a length of several centimeters, it is possible to make electrical conductors with a ratio of length to width of the order of 7^10 At first glance, nanotube antennas give us the impression that they are similar to Dipole antennas designed in small dimensions. But in fact it is not so. In the main theory of Dipole antennas to determine the current distribution on the antenna, that the Dipole radius is larger than the skin depth and also  The resistance loss is so low that it can be ignored. 



with noticing that the nanodipole L/d is significantly reduced, it cannot be used . is completely excluded. Because here the electrons are only allowed to move along the conductor string and therefore the current distribution is effectively one-dimensional. In addition to the fact that the electrons only move in one dimension, there are two important issues. Also happens, large inductance and resistance. These characteristics create a very different behavior for nanotube antennas compared to classical antennas.  In one-dimensional electric conductors such as nanotubes, the skin depth mode 

The main difference is that the current distribution is alternating with a wavelength that is 100 times smaller than the free space wavelength for a given thermal frequency. The wavelength of the current distribution depends on the wave speed in that mode. If the speed of the wave is the same as the speed of light, the wavelength of the current distribution is the wavelength of electromagnetic waves in free space. On the other hand, the wave speed in nanotubes is about one hundred times lower than the speed of light. This is because in circuit theory, the wave speed is equal to the inverse of the square root of the capacitive capacitance per unit length multiplied by the inductive capacitance per unit length.


Conclusion :

In general, in order to receive the electromagnetic wave in the space, the dimensions of the antenna must be in the order of the wavelength of the input to its surface. Due to the very small dimensions of nano sensors, nano antennas need to have a very high working frequency to be usable. 

  • Researcher and author: Dr. Afshin Rashid

    Specialized doctorate in nano-microelectronics