Tuning Elements Research Articles

Associative memories using complex-valued Hopfield networks based on spin-torque oscillator arrays

Simulations of complex-valued Hopfield networks based on spin-torque oscillators can recover phase-encoded images. Sequences of memristor-augmented inverters provide tunable delay elements that implement complex weights by phase shifting the oscillatory output of the oscillators. Pseudo-inverse training suffices to store at least 12 images in a set of 192 oscillators, representing 16 × 12 pixel images. The energy required to recover an image depends on the desired error level. For the oscillators and circuitry considered here, 5% root mean square deviations from the ideal image require approximately 5 μs and consume roughly 130 nJ. Simulations show that the network functions well when the resonant frequency of the oscillators can be tuned to have a fractional spread less than 10−3, depending on the strength of the feedback.

Steer by Image Technology for Intelligent Reflecting Surface Based on Reconfigurable Metasurface with Photodiodes as Tunable Elements

Lately, metasurface has become an essential and promising component in implementing Intelligent Reflecting Surface (IRS) for 5G and 6G. A novel method that simplifies the ability to reconfigure the metasurface is presented in this paper. The suggested technology uses a PIN photodiode as a tuning element. The desired image is projected on the metasurface’s backside, where the PIN photodiodes are placed and reconfigures the metasurface. The projected image’s color and intensity pattern influence the PIN photodiode’s junction capacitance, which leads to local reflection phase control. This enables the required pattern reflection phase distribution to manipulate the reflection beam, for example, 2D beam steering or focusing, and any other beam forming combination, instead of wiring many digital-to-analog converters (DACs) or FPGA outputs, which bias the standard tuning element such as PIN diode or varactor using a complex RF circuit. Using a PIN photodiode as a tunable element instead of a varactor diode, PIN diode, Liquid Crystal and MEMS allows the changing of the internal junction capacitance without direct contact and thus continuously controlling the reflection phase. In addition, an open circuit work mode with negligible energy consumption can be obtained. This technology can be used to implement metasurface based on discrete or continuous phases and is called Steer by Image (SBI). A full description of the SBI technology using PIN photodiode is presented in this paper.

Sub‐THz Phase Shifters Enabled by Photoconductive Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube Layers

Materials with tunable dielectric properties are highly relevant for terahertz (THz) applications. Herein, the tuning of the dielectric response of single‐walled carbon nanotube layers by light illumination is studied for applications to THz phase shifters. The dependence of the length of individual nanotubes on the THz photoconductivity of the network is experimentally investigated in the frequency range of 0.2–1 THz by time‐domain spectroscopy (TDS). The effective conductivity of the networks is described by a theoretical model that fits the measured dielectric function. Terahertz phase shifters are realized with the carbon nanotube layers as the optically tunable element deposited on the wall of rectangular dielectric waveguides. The phase of the electromagnetic wave propagating in the waveguide is shown to be tunable by illuminating the nanotubes. A linear phase shift with the frequency is measured between 75 and 500 GHz with a low change in amplitude due to the illumination.

Novel Hybrid Electric/Magnetic Bias Concept for Tunable Liquid Crystal Based Filter

This paper presents a novel hybrid bias concept for liquid crystal (LC) filter by using simultaneously electric and magnetic bias fields. It enables continuous tuning with a simplified electrode design, decreased number of electrodes and reduced bias voltage. Furthermore, the tuning efficiency is increased, since the homogeneous bias fields enable a full exploitation of the LC's anisotropy. To demonstrate this concept, a novel reconfigurable gap waveguide two-pole bandpass filter with tunable center frequency and coupling elements is designed at <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$30 \,\mathrm{GHz}$</tex-math></inline-formula> . Liquid crystal technology is applied as tunable material, whereby tunability of the center frequency and coupling elements is obtained by controlling the LC's effective permittivity. The presented filter's center frequency can be tuned from <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$28.88 \,\mathrm{GHz}\,\mathrm{to}\, 29.88 \,\mathrm{GHz}$</tex-math></inline-formula> with a maximum bias voltage of 100 V, with a return loss of 20 dB and low insertion loss of only 1.65 to 1.95 dB.

Holographic Integrated Sensing and Communication

To overcome spectrum congestion, a promising approach is to integrate sensing and communication (ISAC) functions in one hardware platform. Recently, metamaterial antennas, whose tunable radiation elements are arranged more densely than those of traditional multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) arrays, have been developed to enhance the sensing and communication performance by offering a finer controllability of the antenna beampattern. In this paper, we propose a holographic beamforming scheme, which is enabled by metamaterial antennas with tunable radiated amplitudes, that jointly performs sensing and communication. However, it is challenging to design the beamformer for ISAC functions by taking into account the unique amplitude-controlled structure of holographic beamforming. To address this challenge, we formulate an integrated sensing and communication problem to optimize the beamformer, and design a holographic beamforming optimization algorithm to efficiently solve the formulated problem. A lower bound for the maximum beampattern gain is provided through theoretical analysis, which reveals the potential performance enhancement gain that is obtained by densely deploying several elements in a metamaterial antenna. Simulation results substantiate the theoretical analysis and show that the maximum beamforming gain of a metamaterial antenna that utilizes the proposed holographic beamforming scheme can be increased by at least 50% compared with that of a traditional MIMO array of the same size. In addition, the cost of the proposed scheme is lower than that of a traditional MIMO scheme while providing the same ISAC performance.

Spherical quantum dots in Deng–Fan–Eckart potential confining potential: Study of nonlinear optical rectification

In this article, the nonlinear optical rectification (NOR) of GaAs/Ga1−xAlxAs quantum dots (QDs) in the presence of the external tuning elements, such as Al-concentration and temperature in the Deng–Fan–Eckart (DFE) potential has been studied. The bound-state solutions of the radial Schrödinger equation can be obtained using the Factorization method. The density matrix theory and iterative method are used to calculate the analytical expression of the NOR coefficient. The obtained results can indicate that these tuning elements and structural parameters, such as Al-concentration, the depth and the strengths of DFE potential can affect the location and peak of formant in this system. Thus, the external tuning elements and structural parameters strongly affect the NOR properties of the GaAs/Ga1−xAlxAs QDs.

Varactor-graphene-based multi-reconfigurable triplet filter with independent tuning of frequency and amplitude

In this paper, a multi-reconfigurable filter which consists of three identical varactor-graphene-loaded coaxial substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) resonators is presented. The center frequency and transmission amplitude of the proposed filter is independently reconfigurable by means of electrically controlling the values of the varactor capacitance and the graphene resistance, respectively. Tuners and their bias circuits are mounted on the surfaces of the SIW resonator to adjust the tuning of resonant frequency and unloaded quality factor, which enable to realize the frequency and amplitude of the presented multi-reconfigurable filter. In addition, the proposed filter applies a cascaded triplet topology to generate a transmission zero at the upper side in order to enhance skirt selectivity and out-of-band rejection. The circular shape of the resonator provides great flexibility and produces an additional compactness of the filter. The proposed multi-reconfigurable coaxial SIW filter is designed and fabricated, with high-Q varactors and graphene thin sheets as frequency and amplitude tuning elements, respectively, exhibiting the following reconfigurable characteristics: (a) a wide tuning range of 0.58–1.01 GHz with a constant 1 dB fractional bandwidth of 2 ± 0.2%. (b) A continuous tuning range of amplitude at any center frequency in the achievable frequency band. For instance, the proposed filter can be tuned with an amplitude range of 3.02–19.8 dB by varying the value of the graphene sheet resistance at 1.01 GHz. (c) Free combination of the arbitrary center frequency and attenuation level. The proposed filter with tunable filtering and attenuating responses has widely potential in reconfigurable wireless communication systems and radar systems due to its high integration and versatility.

Low power optical phase shifter using liquid crystal actuation on a silicon photonics platform

Low-power and compact phase shifters are crucial for large photonic circuits, both to cope with variability and to create programmable waveguide circuits scaling to thousands of tuning elements. This work demonstrates a liquid crystal phase shifter where there is a lateral silicon electrode "rail" on one side of the waveguide core. Using this architecture, a strong quasi-static electric field E actuation can be applied over the gap, which is filled with liquid crystal cladding material, with modest voltages. Because the mode is largely confined in the waveguide, optical losses are limited, compared to earlier experiments with slot waveguides. The liquid crystal is deposited locally on three different device variations using inkjet printing. The local deposition avoids unwanted interference of the liquid crystal with other optical components such as grating couplers. Measurements show similar trends as simulations of the liquid crystal orientations. For one device with a length of 50 µm, a phase shift of almost 0.9π is shown at 10 VRMS. We also discuss the challenges with this first demonstration of this phase shifter geometry using a silicon side-rail as an electrode.

Nonlinear optical rectification of GaAs/Ga1–x Al x As quantum dots with Hulth-en plus Hellmann confining potential

We investigate the nonlinear optical rectification (NOR) of spherical quantum dots (QDs) under Hulthén plus Hellmann confining potential with the external tuning elements. Energy and wavefunction are determined by using the Nikiforov–Uvarov method. Expression for the NOR coefficient is derived by the density matrix theory. The results show that the applied external elements and internal parameters of this system have a strong influence on intraband nonlinear optical properties. It is hopeful that this tuning of the nonlinear optical properties of GaAs/Ga1–x Al x As QDs can make a greater contribution to preparation of new functional optical devices.

Electroabsorption modulator‐integrated distributed Bragg reflector laser diode for C‐band WDM‐based networks

AbstractWe report an electroabsorption modulator (EAM)‐integrated distributed Bragg reflector laser diode (DBR‐LD) capable of supporting a high data rate and a wide wavelength tuning. The DBR‐LD contains two tuning elements, plasma and heater tunings, both of which are implemented in the DBR section, which have blue‐shift and red‐shift in the Bragg wavelength through a current injection, respectively. The light created from the DBR‐LD is intensity‐modulated through the EAM voltage, which is integrated monolithically with the DBR‐LD using a butt–joint coupling method. The fabricated chip shows a threshold current of approximately 8 mA, tuning range of greater than 30 nm, and static extinction ratio of higher than 20 dB while maintaining a side mode suppression ratio of greater than 40 dB under a window of 1550 nm. To evaluate its modulation properties, the chip was bonded onto a mount including a radiofrequency line and a load resistor showing clear eye openings at data rates of 25 Gb/s nonreturn‐to‐zero and 50 Gb/s pulse amplitude modulation 4‐level, respectively.

Calculation of linear and nonlinear optical properties of spherical quantum dots with Hulthén plus Hellmann confining potential

The optical absorption coefficients (OACs) and refractive index changes (RICs) in the GaAs/Ga1−x AlxAs spherical quantum dots (QDs) under Hulthén plus Hellmann confining potential have been investigated by adjusting the structural parameters with the applied tuning elements. Energy levels and wavefunctions of this system have been determined by means of the Nikiforov–Uvarov (NU) method. Expressions for the OACs and RICs are derived by the density matrix method. We display that both the radius of QDs and the depth of the Hulthén plus Hellmann confining potential have a significant impact on OACs and RICs. Furthermore, we can draw conclusions that the applied tuning elements can manage the amplitudes and resonances frequency of the OACs and RICs.

Cavity resonator-integrated guided-mode resonance filters with on-chip electro- and thermo-optic tuning.

Cavity resonator grating filters (CRIGFs) integrated on lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI) with electrical tuning elements are reported. The resonance wavelength of the filters is in the 780 nm range. Integrated thermo-optical tuning range of 2.5 nm is measured using integrated resistors, whilst a 0.7 nm electro-optical tuning range using capacitive metallic pads is achieved with ±400V drive voltage.

Dual-function flexible metasurface for absorption and polarization conversion and its application for radar cross section reduction

In this paper, a flexible metasurface with dual functions of absorption and polarization conversion is proposed and applied for radar cross section (RCS) reduction. The metasurface unit adopts a metallic-backed structure, and its width and thickness are approximately 0.62 and 0.24 times the free-space wavelength at the center working frequency, respectively. Different from the traditional metasurface, the resonators with low-frequency absorption and high-frequency polarization conversion are horizontally combined to achieve dual-function integration without the use of tunable elements. The structure adopts a flexible substrate, which is also suitable for conformal conditions. From 3.74 to 14.84 GHz, the metasurface has good impedance matching characteristics. The metasurface performs effective absorption and polarization conversion in the frequency bands of 3.78–6.34 GHz and 7.90–14.80 GHz, respectively. The absorption is mainly achieved through the ohmic loss of the lumped resistance, while the polarization conversion is performed through the electromagnetic resonance of the metallic structure. Then, the sample prototype is fabricated for demonstration, and the measurement result is well consistent with the simulation one. Furthermore, the checkerboard-arrangement array of the metasurface and its mirror unit can efficiently reduce the RCS over 7 dB in the range of 3.52–15.28 GHz. As expected, the proposed flexible metasurface can not only be used as an absorber/polarization converter but also be combined to realize broadband RCS reduction, which is of great significance for multi-function and conformal stealth applications.

Gate-tuned graphene meta-devices for dynamically controlling terahertz wavefronts

Abstract Dynamical controls on terahertz (THz) wavefronts are crucial for many applications, but available mechanism requests tunable elements with sub-micrometer sizes that are difficult to find in the THz regime. Here, different from the local-tuning mechanism, we propose an alternative approach to construct wavefront-control meta-devices combining specifically designed metasurfaces and globally tuned graphene layers. Coupled-mode-theory (CMT) analyses reveal that graphene serves as a tunable loss to drive the whole meta-device to transit from one functional phase to another passing through an intermediate regime, exhibiting distinct far-field (FF) reflection wavefronts. As a proof of concept, we design/fabricate a graphene meta-device and experimentally demonstrate that it can reflect normally incident THz wave to pre-designed directions with different polarizations under appropriate gating voltages. We finally design a graphene meta-device and numerically demonstrate that it can generate vectorial THz beams with continuously varying polarization distributions upon gating. These findings pave the road to realizing a wide range of THz applications, such as sensing, imaging, and wireless communications.

Tunable metasurfaces towards versatile metalenses and metaholograms: a review

Metasurfaces have attracted great attention due to their ability to manipulate the phase, amplitude, and polarization of light in a compact form. Tunable metasurfaces have been investigated recently through the integration with mechanically moving components and electrically tunable elements. Two interesting applications, in particular, are to vary the focal point of metalenses and to switch between holographic images. We present the recent progress on tunable metasurfaces focused on metalenses and metaholograms, including the basic working principles, advantages, and disadvantages of each working mechanism. We classify the tunable stimuli based on the light source and electrical bias, as well as others such as thermal and mechanical modulation. We conclude by summarizing the recent progress of metalenses and metaholograms, and providing our perspectives for the further development of tunable metasurfaces.

A Tunable Microstrip Bandpass Filter with Two Concurrently Tuned Transmission Zeros

In this paper, an electrically small tunable microstrip bandpass filter with two concurrently tuned transmission zeros (TZs) is presented. The filter consists of two coupled resonators and varactors as tuning elements. An application of a multipath coupling network results in TZs on both sides of the passband. The filter controlled by a single voltage has a wide tuning range from 370 MHz to 800 MHz and a low insertion loss ranging from 1.9 dB to 3.4 dB. To achieve high attenuation in the stopband, two sections of the designed filter were cascaded. Both one-section and two-section filters were validated by measurements. The obtained results are in a very good agreement with simulations.

Thermoelectric Performance of n-Type Magnetic Element Doped Bi2S3.

Thermoelectric technology offers great potential for converting waste heat into electrical energy and is an emission-free technique for solid-state cooling. Conventional high-performance thermoelectric materials such as Bi2Te3 and PbTe use rare or toxic elements. Sulfur is an inexpensive and nontoxic alternative to tellurium. However, achieving high efficiencies with Bi2S3 is challenging due to its high electrical resistivity that reduces its power factor. Here, we report Bi2S3 codoped with Cr and Cl to enhance its thermoelectric properties. An enhanced conductivity was achieved due to an increase in the carrier concentration by the substitution of S with Cl. High values of the Seebeck coefficients were obtained despite high carrier concentrations; this is attributed to an increase in the effective mass, resulting from the magnetic drag introduced by the magnetic Cr dopant. A peak power factor of 566 μW m–1 K–2 was obtained for a cast sample of Bi2–x/3Crx/3S3–xClx with x = 0.01 at 320 K, as high as the highest values reported in the literature for sintered samples. These results support the success of codoping thermoelectric materials with isovalent magnetic and carrier concentration tuning elements to enhance the thermoelectric properties of eco-friendly materials.

A Millimeter-Wave Fabry–Perot Cavity Antenna With Unidirectional Beam Scanning Capability for 5G Applications

In this article, a millimeter-wave (mmW) leaky-wave antenna (LWA) with unidirectional beam scanning (UBS) capability based on the Fabry–Perot cavity (FPC) structure is proposed for fifth-generation (5G) applications. The proposed antenna consists of a main radiating element, a metallic wall, a ground plane, and a single-layer partially reflective surface (PRS). To improve the UBS performance, a single radiating element is designed such that it provides a tilted beam with good radiation performance over the scanning angles. The metallic wall is used close to the radiating element as a reflector to suppress the propagation in undesired directions. A general design guide is given by a theoretical analysis of the FPC structures using the ray-tracing method to formulate the beam-steering functionality versus frequency over desired predetermined angles. The PRS layer is designed without any tuning elements to provide the beam scanning over the angles of <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$10^\circ &lt; \theta &lt; 45 ^\circ $ </tex-math></inline-formula> and the frequency range of 24–30 GHz. The proposed Fabry–Perot cavity antenna (FPCA) structure is fabricated and the measurement results show a beam steering from 19° to 54° over the frequency band from 24 to 30 GHz, which is in good agreement with the calculated results from the theoretical analysis. A maximum measured gain of 14.5 dBi at 24 GHz is achieved. The proposed antenna can be used in the 5G mobile communication systems and 5G base station antennas (BSAs), where beam steering with high-gain and low fabrication cost features over the mmW spectrum is required.

Broadband printed dipole antenna with integrated balun and tuning element for DTV application

This paper presents the broadband printed dipole antenna design with an integrated balun and tuning element for DTV applications. The proposed technique is a unique tuning mechanism that is straddled between the gap of the proposed dipole antenna. This enables the frequency range of the dipole antenna to be adjusted to tightly cover the specified Digital TV band, thereby mitigating interference from signals outside the band that would otherwise degrade the quality of the DTV signal. The measured results confirm that the proposed antenna covers an impedance bandwidth of 414.5 MHz from 457.7 to 872.2 MHz, which covers the frequency band of DTV systems (470–862 MHz). Furthermore, the proposed antenna has excellent omnidirectional radiation with a maximum realized gain of 2.95 dBi. These results demonstrate the suitability of the antenna for DTV applications.

Terahertz Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RISs) for 6G Communication Links.

The forthcoming sixth generation (6G) communication network is envisioned to provide ultra-fast data transmission and ubiquitous wireless connectivity. The terahertz (THz) spectrum, with higher frequency and wider bandwidth, offers great potential for 6G wireless technologies. However, the THz links suffers from high loss and line-of-sight connectivity. To overcome these challenges, a cost-effective method to dynamically optimize the transmission path using reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) is widely proposed. RIS is constructed by embedding active elements into passive metasurfaces, which is an artificially designed periodic structure. However, the active elements (e.g., PIN diodes) used for 5G RIS are impractical for 6G RIS due to the cutoff frequency limitation and higher loss at THz frequencies. As such, various tuning elements have been explored to fill this THz gap between radio waves and infrared light. The focus of this review is on THz RISs with the potential to assist 6G communication functionalities including pixel-level amplitude modulation and dynamic beam manipulation. By reviewing a wide range of tuning mechanisms, including electronic approaches (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) transistors, Schottky diodes, high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs), and graphene), optical approaches (photoactive semiconductor materials), phase-change materials (vanadium dioxide, chalcogenides, and liquid crystals), as well as microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), this review summarizes recent developments in THz RISs in support of 6G communication links and discusses future research directions in this field.