Re: NEC-LIST: Re: Plasma Antennas

At 02:45 PM 5/18/2004 -0700, Scott Stephens wrote:

>>Here are some details of a commercial plasma steering antenna, in which
>>the plasma is used as a reflector and not as active radiating element.
>>The technology is similar to plasma TV displays; that-is down at the
>>semiconductive elements.
>>Interesting reading.
>>http://www.plasmaantennas.com/Howdoesitwork.html
>>...An ionised region, or solid state plasma, can be generated in silicon
>>using electronically controlled devices (plasma diodes) that are
>>positioned between closely spaced metal surfaces which constrain the beam.
>
>Why not just use a forward conducting schottky diode? Perhaps a "plasma
>diode" can switch faster, and not ring as much, for use in UWB applications?

Power handling? Plasma can potentially handle a lot of power without
having to worry about keeping the diode turned on or off.

Harmonic generation? A diode is a potential source of harmonics

Someone else already has a patent on the diodes, or it's prior art, so you
can't make money from an exclusive technology?

James Lux, P.E.

Spacecraft Telecommunications Section
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Mail Stop 161-213
4800 Oak Grove Drive
Pasadena CA 91109
tel: (818)354-2075
fax: (818)393-6875

-- 
The NEC-List mailing list <nec-list_at_gweep.ca>
http://www.gweep.ca/mailman/listinfo.cgi/nec-list