A rectenna has been designed to provide DC energy for the propulsion engines of the Microwave Lightcraft. It uses very high density sub‐arrays to convert the microwave energy in a beam of power density 4 kW/cm2 with an efficiency of 56 %. Each sub‐array consists of an ensemble of very short dipoles and Schottky diode elements deposited on and within a semiconductor substrate. The substrate sits down on a low‐loss wafer carrier which also performs the function of water cooling. The rectenna design permits the periodic reflection and focussing of the beam to maintain a plasma nose‐cone in front of the vehicle. In addition, the rectenna is capable of transmitting stored energy to this ‘air‐spike’ region to maintain that plasma in the event of a loss of beam power.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    A 35 GHz Extremely High Power Rectenna For The Microwave Lightcraft


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    BEAMED ENERGY PROPULSION: First International Symposium on Beamed Energy Propulsion ; 2002 ; Huntsville, Alabama (USA)


    Published in:

    AIP Conference Proceedings ; 664 , 1 ; 292-302


    Publication date :

    2003-05-14


    Size :

    11 pages





    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



    A 35 GHz Extremely High Power Rectenna for the Microwave Lightcraft

    Alden, A. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2003


    Lightcraft Project

    D. G. Messitt / L. N. Myrabo | NTIS | 1991


    Microwave Power Beaming Infrastructure for Manned Lightcraft Operations

    Myrabo, Leik N. | American Institute of Physics | 2006


    Microwave Power Beaming Infrastructure for Manned Lightcraft Operations

    Myrabo, L. N. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2006


    Microwave Power Beaming Infrastructure for Manned Lightcraft Operations: Part 2

    Myrabo, L.N. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2008