Radio frequency switching network: a technique for infrared sensing

Deborah  M. Mechtel; R. Brian Jenkins; Peter J. Joyce; Charles L. Nelson

doi:10.1117/1.OE.55.10.107106

21 October 2016 Radio frequency switching network: a technique for infrared sensing

Deborah M. Mechtel, R. Brian Jenkins, Peter J. Joyce, Charles L. Nelson

Author Affiliations +

Optical Engineering, Vol. 55, Issue 10, 107106 (October 2016). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.OE.55.10.107106

Abstract

This paper describes a unique technique that implements photoconductive sensors in a radio frequency (RF) switching network designed to locate in real-time the position and intensity of IR radiation incident on a composite structure. In the implementation described here, photoconductive sensors act as rapid response switches in a two-layer RF network embedded in an FR-4 laminate. To detect radiation, phosphorous-doped silicon photoconductive sensors are inserted in GHz range RF transmission lines. By permitting signal propagation only when a sensor is illuminated, the RF signals are selectively routed from lower layer transmission lines to upper layer lines, thereby pinpointing the location and strength of incident radiation. Simulations based on a high frequency three-dimensional planar electromagnetics model are presented and compared to the experimental results. The experimental results are described for GHz range RF signal control for 300- and 180-mW incident energy from 975- to 1060-nm wavelength lasers, respectively, where upon illumination, RF transmission line signal output power doubled when compared to nonilluminated results. The experimental results are also reported for 100-W incident energy from a 1060-nm laser. Test results illustrate real-time signal processing would permit a structure to be controlled in response to incident radiation.

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Deborah M. Mechtel, R. Brian Jenkins, Peter J. Joyce, and Charles L. Nelson "Radio frequency switching network: a technique for infrared sensing," Optical Engineering 55(10), 107106 (21 October 2016). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.OE.55.10.107106

Published: 21 October 2016

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