IP Library Granted Patent US 9,190,736
Granted Patent B1
US 9,190,736 · App. 13/324,052 · Granted Nov 17, 2015

Fabrication of small-scale structures with non-planar features

Inventors: David B. Burckel (Albuquerque, NM); Gregory A. Ten Eyck (Albuquerque, NM)
Assignee: Sandia Corporation
H01Q15/0086H01Q7/00
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,190,736
App. No.
13/324,052
Granted
Nov 17, 2015
Kind
B1
Abstract

The fabrication of small-scale structures is disclosed. A unit-cell of a small-scale structure with non-planar features is fabricated by forming a membrane on a suitable material. A pattern is formed in the membrane and a portion of the substrate underneath the membrane is removed to form a cavity. Resonators are then directionally deposited on the wall or sides of the cavity. The cavity may be rotated during deposition to form closed-loop resonators. The resonators may be non-planar. The unit-cells can be formed in a layer that includes an array of unit-cells.

Claims (12)

1. A small-scale structure, comprising:

a substrate;

a cavity formed in the substrate, the cavity having a wall and having a radius in a range between one micrometer and ten micrometers; and

at least one closed-loop electromagnetic resonator formed conformally on a non-planar portion of the cavity wall, wherein the at least one resonator comprises material deposited as a closed curve on the cavity wall, wherein the at least one closed-loop resonator is deposited by membrane projection lithography, and wherein the substrate is rotated during deposition to form the at least one closed-loop resonator.

2. The small-scale structure of claim 1 , wherein the at least one resonator is configured as an antenna for optical wavelengths or for chemical signature wavelengths.

3. The small-scale structure of claim 1 , wherein the at least one resonator is configured to be excited by magnetic fields, electric fields, or both.

4. The small-scale structure of claim 1 , wherein the at least one resonator comprises overlapping resonators or non-overlapping resonators.

5. A small-scale structure, comprising:

a substrate;

a cavity formed in the substrate, the cavity having a wall and having a radius in a range between one micrometer and ten micrometers; and

at least one closed-loop electromagnetic resonator formed conformally on a non-planar portion of the cavity wall, wherein the at least one resonator comprises material deposited as a closed curve on the cavity wall,

wherein the at least one resonator is configured to provide the small-scale structure with a negative index of refraction.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 24, 2018
From: SANDIA CORPORATION
To: NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS OF SANDIA, LLC
Reel/Frame 046230/0262 →
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Dec 28, 2011
From: SANDIA CORPORATION
To: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Reel/Frame 027455/0669 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 14, 2011
From: BURCKEL, DAVID B.; EYCK, GREGORY A. TEN
To: SANDIA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 027414/0768 →
Continuity (1)
Provisional Application 61433457 · Jan 17, 2011