Abstract: A method for embedding optical band gap (OBG) devices in a ceramic substrate (100). The method includes the step (320) of pre-forming an OBG structure (105). The OBG structure can be a micro optical electromechanical systems (MOEMS) device. Further, the OBG structure can be preformed from indium phosphide and/or indium gallium arsenide. The method also includes the step (325) of coating the OBG structure with a surface binding material (230). The surface binding material can be comprised of calcium and hexane. The ratio of the calcium to hexane can be from about 1% to 2%. At a next step (330), the OBG structure can be inserted into the ceramic substrate. A pre-fire step (335) and a sintering step (340) then can be performed on the substrate.

Abstract: A method for embedding optical band gap (OBG) devices in a ceramic substrate (100). The method includes the step (320) of pre-forming an OBG structure (105). The OBG structure can be a micro optical electromechanical systems (MOEMS) device. Further, the OBG structure can be preformed from indium phosphide and/or indium gallium arsenide. The method also includes the step (325) of coating the OBG structure with a surface binding material (230). The surface binding material can be comprised of calcium and hexane. The ratio of the calcium to hexane can be from about 1% to 2%. At a next step (330), the OBG structure can be inserted into the ceramic substrate. A pre-fire step (335) and a sintering step (340) then can be performed on the substrate.

Abstract: An RF system (100) can include one or more RF circuits (108) coupled to a fluid dielectric (106). The RF circuit can be disposed on a portion of a dielectric substrate (102) which also contains the fluid dielectric. A light source 302 is provided for transmitting optical radiation through a portion of the fluid dielectric in a transmitted direction. A sensor (304) measures at least one parameter indicative of a change of direction of the optical radiation relative to the transmitted direction. According to one aspect, the light source and/or the sensor can be disposed within the dielectric substrate of the RF system. An output of the sensor can be coupled to a processor (322, 422) for determining a condition of the fluid dielectric based on the measured parameter.

Abstract: A crossed slot fed microstrip antenna (100). The antenna (100) includes a conducting ground plane (125), which has at least one crossed slot (125), and at least two feed lines (105). The feed lines (105) have respective stub regions (115) that extend beyond the crossed slot (125) and transfer signal energy to or from the crossed slot (125). The antenna (100) also includes a first substrate (150) disposed between the ground plane (120) and the feed lines (105). The first substrate (150) includes a first region and at least a second region, the regions having different substrate properties. The first region is proximate to at least one of the feed lines (105).

Abstract: An optically active composition (100) for optical applications has been identified. The optically active composition (100) can include at least one cyclic molecule having a nanocore (112) disposed within the cyclic molecule to form a filled ring (108). The composition (100) is optically transmissive for at least one photonic wavelength that would not otherwise be transmitted by the composition (100) if the nanocore were absent from the cyclic molecule. The cyclic molecule can be a carbon ring, an aromatic ring, or a heterocyclic ring. The filled ring (108) can be attached to a chiral molecule which is a repeat unit (102) in a polymeric backbone. A second filled ring (110) which causes the composition to be optically transmissive at a second wavelength also can be attached to the chiral molecule (102) as well. An electric field can be applied to the filled ring (108) to adjust the wavelength at which filled ring (108) is transmissive.

Abstract: A method for making an electronic device includes positioning first and second members so that opposing surfaces thereof are in contact with one another, the first member comprising silicon and the second member comprising a low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) material. The method further includes anodically bonding together the opposing surfaces of the first and second members to form a hermetic seal therebetween. The anodic bonding provides a secure and strong bond between the members without using adhesive. The method may further include forming at least one cooling structure in at least one of the first and second members. The least one cooling structure may comprise at least one first micro-fluidic cooling structure in the first member, and at least one second micro-fluidic cooling structure in the second member aligned with the at least one first micro-fluidic cooling structure.

Abstract: A slot fed microstrip antenna (100) provides improved efficiency through enhanced coupling of electromagnetic energy between the feed line (117) and the slot (106). The dielectric layer (105) between the feed line (117) and the slot (106) includes magnetic particles (114), the magnetic particles (114) preferably included in the dielectric junction region (113) between the microstrip feed line (117) and the slot (106). A high dielectric region is preferably also provided in the junction constant to further enhance the field concentration effect. The slot antenna (100) can be embodied as a microstrip patch antenna (200).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a circuit for processing radio frequency signals. The resonant circuit includes a substrate. The substrate can be a meta material and can incorporate at least one substrate layer. A resonant line and at least one ground can be coupled to the substrate. An end of the resonant line can electrically shorted to the ground or electrically open with respect to ground. The substrate layer can include a first region with a first set of substrate properties and at least a second region with a second set of substrate properties. At least a portion of the resonant line can be coupled to the second region. The first and/or second set of substrate properties can be differentially modified to vary a permittivity and/or a permeability over a selected region. A third region can be provided with a third set of substrate properties as well.

Abstract: An RF device includes a substrate (502) formed of a low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC). A cavity structure, such as a conduit (508) can be provided within the substrate with at least one fluid dielectric contained within the cavity structure. The RF device can also include a piezoelectric structure (504) for concurrently applying agitation force to the fluid dielectric in at least two opposing directions. The opposing directions can include substantially all directions normal to an interior surface defining a fluid conduit over a selected length of the fluid conduit.

Abstract: A slot fed microstrip patch antenna (200) includes an electrically conducting ground plane (208), the ground plane (208) having at least one coupling slot (206) and at least a first patch radiator (209). An antenna dielectric substrate material (205) is disposed between the ground plane (208) and the first patch radiator (209), wherein at least a portion of the antenna dielectric (210) includes magnetic particles (214). A feed dielectric substrate (212) is disposed between a feed line (217) and the ground plane (208). Magnetic particles can also be used in the feed line (217) dielectric. Patch antennas according to the invention can be of a reduced size through use of high relative permittivity dielectric substrate portions, yet still be efficient through use of dielectrics including magnetic particles which permit impedance matching of dielectric medium interfaces, such as the feed line (217) into the slot (206).

Abstract: A circuit for processing radio frequency signals. The circuit includes a substrate where the circuit can be placed. The substrate can be a meta material and can incorporate at least one dielectric layer. A quarter-wave transformer and at least one ground can be coupled to the substrate. The dielectric layer can include a first region with a first set of substrate properties and a second region with a second set of substrate properties. Substrate properties can include a permittivity and a permeability. A substantial portion of the quarter-wave transformer can be coupled to the second region. The permittivity and/or permeability of the second region can be higher than the permittivity and/or permeability of the first region.

Abstract: A circuit for processing radio frequency signals. The circuit can include a substrate board that has at least one dielectric layer (100) having a first set of substrate properties over a first region (102). The first set of substrate properties can include a first permittivity and a first permeability. A second region (140) can be provided with a set of second substrate properties. The second region can have a second set of substrate properties including a second permittivity and a second permeability. The second permittivity can be different than the first permittivity and/or the second permeability can be different than the first permeability. A first transmission line (102) having at least one discontinuity can be coupled to the second region (108). The discontinuity can include a bend, corner, non-uniformity, break in the transmission line, or a junction between the first transmission line and a second transmission line.

Abstract: An RF device includes a substrate (502) formed of a low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC). A cavity structure, such as a conduit (508) can be provided within the substrate with at least one fluid dielectric contained within the cavity structure. The RF device can also include a piezoelectric structure (504) for concurrently applying agitation force to the fluid dielectric in at least two opposing directions. The opposing directions can include substantially all directions normal to an interior surface defining a fluid conduit over a selected length of the fluid conduit.

Abstract: A method for making an electronic device includes positioning first and second members so that opposing surfaces thereof are in contact with one another, the first member comprising silicon and the second member comprising a low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) material. The method further includes anodically bonding together the opposing surfaces of the first and second members to form a hermetic seal therebetween. The anodic bonding provides a secure and strong bond between the members without using adhesive. The method may further include forming at least one cooling structure in at least one of the first and second members. The least one cooling structure may comprise at least one first micro-fluidic cooling structure in the first member, and at least one second micro-fluidic cooling structure in the second member aligned with the at least one first micro-fluidic cooling structure.

Abstract: Method for preventing degradation of a fluid dielectric (106) in an RF device (100). The method can include the steps forming a substrate (102) of the RF device (100) from a low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC), positioning within a cavity structure (104) of the substrate (102) at least one fluid dielectric (106), and agitating the fluid dielectric (106) with a piezoelectric device (112). According to one aspect of the invention, the piezoelectric device (112) can be formed from lead zirconate titanate.

Abstract: Method for preventing degradation of a fluid dielectric (106) in an RF device (100). The method can include the steps forming a substrate (102) of the RF device (100) from a low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC), positioning within a cavity structure (104) of the substrate (102) at least one fluid dielectric (106), and agitating the fluid dielectric (106) with a piezoelectric device (112). According to one aspect of the invention, the piezoelectric device (112) can be formed from lead zirconate titanate.

Abstract: A crossed slot fed microstrip antenna (100). The antenna (100) includes a conducting ground plane (125), which has at least one crossed slot (125), and at least two feed lines (105). The feed lines (105) have respective stub regions (115) that extend beyond the crossed slot (125) and transfer signal energy to or from the crossed slot (125). The antenna (100) also includes a first substrate (150) disposed between the ground plane (120) and the feed lines (105). The first substrate (150) includes a first region and at least a second region, the regions having different substrate properties. The first region is proximate to at least one of the feed lines (105).

Abstract: A printed circuit (100) for processing radio frequency signals includes a substrate (110) including substrate regions (101, 103, 105, 111, and 119) upon which the printed circuit can be placed. The circuit is a lowpass filter including a transformer line section (112), at least a first stub section (114 or 116), and transmission line sections (117) interconnecting the transformer line section with at least the first stub section. The transformer line section, the transmission line sections, and at least the first stub section are coupled to respective substrate regions that have substrate characteristics that are each independently customizable. The circuit further comprises at least one ground or ground plane (120) coupled to the substrate.

Abstract: A slot fed microstrip antenna (100) having an improved stub (118) provides enhanced efficiency through more efficient coupling of electromagnetic energy between the feed line (117) and the slot (106). A dielectric layer (105) disposed between the feed line (117) and the ground plane (108) provides a first region (112) having a first relative permittivity and at least a second region (113) having a second relative permittivity. The second relative permittivity is higher as compared to the first relative permittivity. The stub (118) is disposed on the high permittivity region (113). The dielectric layer can include magnetic particles, which are preferably disposed underlying the stub.

Abstract: A slot fed microstrip antenna (100) provides improved efficiency through enhanced coupling of electromagnetic energy between the feed line (117) and the slot (106). The dielectric layer (105) between the feed line (117) and the slot (106) includes magnetic particles (114), the magnetic particles (114) preferably included in the dielectric junction region (113) between the microstrip feed line (117) and the slot (106). A high dielectric region is preferably also provided in the junction constant to further enhance the field concentration effect. The slot antenna (100) can be embodied as a microstrip patch antenna (200).