An Electromagnetic Induced Transparency-like Scheme for Wireless Power Transfer Using Dielectric Resonators

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a wireless power transfer scheme based on electromagnetic induced transparency-like effects using dielectric resonators and an enclosure, enabling efficient energy transfer over large distances with minimal fringing fields.

Contribution

It introduces a novel non-bonding mode transfer mechanism utilizing dielectric resonators and an enclosure, differing from traditional sub-wavelength resonant inductive coupling.

Findings

High and uniform efficiency over large distances

Efficiency depends on enclosure quality, not load

Finite Element simulations verify theoretical predictions

Abstract

Similar to the hybridization of three atoms, three coupled resonators interact to form bonding, anti-bonding and non-bonding modes. The non-bonding mode enables an electromagnetic induced transparency like transfer of energy. Here the non-bonding mode, resulting from the strong electric coupling of two dielectric resonators and an enclosure, is exploited to show that it is feasible to transfer power over a distance comparable to the operating wavelength. In this scheme, the enclosure acts as a mediator. The strong coupling permits the excitation of the non-bonding mode with high purity. This approach is different from resonant inductive coupling which works in the sub-wavelength regime. Optimal loads and the corresponding maximum efficiency are determined using two independent methods: Coupled Mode Theory and Circuit modelling. It is shown that, unlike resonant inductive coupling, the figure of merit depends on the enclosure quality and not on the load, which emphasizes the role of the enclosure as a mediator. Briefly after the input excitation is turned on, the energy in the receiver builds up via all coupled and spurious modes. As time elapses, all modes except the non-bonding cease to sustain. Due to the strong coupling between the dielectrics and the enclosure, such systems have unique properties such as high and uniform efficiency over large distances; and minimal fringing fields. These properties suggest that electromagnetic induced transparency like schemes which rely on the use of dielectric resonators can be used to power autonomous systems inside an enclosure or find applications when exposure to the fields needs to be minimal. Finite Element computations are used to verify the theoretical predictions by determining the transfer efficiency, fields profile and coupling coefficients for two different systems.