US 11,942,679 B2
Antenna extended with a laser induced plasma
Daniel Howard Muhleman, El Cajon, CA (US); and Alexandru Hening, San Diego, CA (US)
Assigned to USA as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, Washington, DC (US)
Filed by The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, San Diego, CA (US)
Filed on Aug. 24, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/894,737.
Prior Publication US 2024/0072422 A1, Feb. 29, 2024
Int. Cl. H01Q 1/26 (2006.01)
CPC H01Q 1/26 (2013.01) 5 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An antenna extender comprising:
a laser source for emitting a laser beam along an axis of the laser beam with sufficient power to produce a laser induced plasma in an atmosphere along the axis of the laser beam; and
an antenna feed extending along the axis of the laser beam for coupling between a radiofrequency signal and the laser induced plasma, wherein the antenna feed includes metal disposed within the laser induced plasma, and wherein the antenna feed extended with the laser induced plasma has an enhanced radiation efficiency for the radiofrequency signal that is greater than the antenna feed that is not extended and has a stub radiation efficiency for the radiofrequency signal when the laser source is deactivated and does not emit the laser beam.