Optically pumped reconfigurable antenna systems (OPRAS)

This paper presents a new reconfigurable antenna design using optical switching which overcomes any biasing associated with standard MEMs and PIN switches. In our approach, the switching elements comprises of doped silicon, and the change in the element´s RF conductivity from that of a semiconductor material to that of a metal-like material is achieved upon exposure to a laser light coupled through an optical fiber cable. Two prototype antennas are fabricated and tested to demonstrate the proposed approach. Good qualitative agreement is observed between the simulated and measured data.