Rectifying antenna device with nanostructure diode

Abstract

A rectifying antenna device is disclosed. The device comprises a pair of electrode structures, and at least one nanostructure diode contacting at least a first electrode structure of the pair and being at least in proximity to a second electrode structure of the pair. At least one electrode structure of the pair receives AC radiation, and the nanostructure diode(s) at least partially rectifies a current generated by the AC radiation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rectifying antenna device, comprising:
 a pair of electrode structures, and   at least one elongated nanostructure diode, deposited generally parallel to said pair of electrode structures such that said at least one elongated nanostructure contacts at least a first electrode structure of said pair and being at least in proximity to a second electrode structure of said pair;   wherein at least one electrode structure of said pair receives AC radiation, and said at least one nanostructure diode at least partially rectifies a current generated by said AC radiation.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one dielectric resonator for receiving and enhancing said AC radiation such that at least one electrode structure of said pair receives said enhanced radiation. 
     
     
         3 . A rectifying antenna system, comprising a plurality of rectifying antenna devices, wherein at least one of said rectifying antenna devices is the rectifying antenna device of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said plurality of rectifying antenna devices are arranged to receive two polarizations. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said electrode structures are made, at least in part, of different conductive materials. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one nanostructure diode contacts both electrode structures of said pair. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said electrode structures are made of the same conductive material. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one nanostructure diode contacts one electrode structure of said pair but not the other electrode structure of said pair. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises at least one additional electrode structure oriented substantially perpendicular to an imaginary axis defined by said pair of electrode structures. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said electrode structures are separated by a gap shaped so as to ensure asymmetric electrical configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said electrode structures of said pair are substantially planar and are arranged in a partially overlapping manner, wherein the device further comprises a dielectric layer for ensuring that said electrode structures of said pair are devoid of electrical contact thereamongst, and wherein said at least one nanostructure diode contacts one electrode structure of said pair and overlaps the other electrode structure of said pair. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises organic molecules attached to at least one of said electrode structures. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to rectify radiation in a wavelength range selected from the group consisting of a visible range and an infrared range. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one nanostructure diode comprises a plurality of nanostructure diodes. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein an amount of said plurality of nanostructure diodes is selected so as to match the impedance of said pair of electrode structures. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said pair of electrode structures forms an antenna selected from the group consisting of a dipole antenna and a bow tie antenna. 
     
     
         17 . A method of manufacturing a rectifying antenna device, comprising:
 depositioning a first electrode structure on a substrate;   depositioning a second electrode structure on said substrate, so as to form a pair of electrode structures being at least partially exposed and devoid of contact thereamongst; and   depositioning at least one elongated nanostructure on an exposed part of at least one of said pair and generally parallel to said pair, so as to form at least one nanostructure diode contacting at least a first electrode structure of said pair and being at least in proximity to a second electrode structure of said pair.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising depositioning an additional electrode structure on said substrate in a manner such that said at least one nanostructure diode interconnects said first electrode structure and said an additional electrode structure. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said additional electrode structure is oriented substantially perpendicular to an imaginary axis defined by said first and said second electrode structures. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising applying electric field to said additional electrode structure so as to burn a tip of said at least one nanostructure diode, hence to prevent contact between said at least one nanostructure diode and said second electrode structure. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said first and said second electrode structures are laterally displaced by a gap. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising, prior to said deposition of said second electrode structure, depositioning a dielectric layer such that said dielectric layer partially covers said first electrode structure, wherein said second electrode structure is deposited onto said dielectric layer such that said second electrode structure partially overlaps said first electrode structure, and wherein said at least one nanostructure diode is deposited on said second electrode structure such that said nanostructure diode partially overlaps said first electrode structure. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising depositioning at least one additional nanostructure for connecting said electrode structures to external devices. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said depositioning of said nanostructure is effected by a stamping technique.