A Method for Delivering Spatio-Temporally Focused Energy to a Dynamically Adjustable Target Along a Waveguiding Structure

It is possible to exploit the frequency-dependent velocity dispersion inherent to waveguiding structures to deliver spatio-temporally focused energy to a spatial target anywhere along the longitudinal extent of a waveguide. Such focusing of energy may have application to technologies as varied as nerve stimulation or chemical etching. A waveguide signal that effects this focused energy is conceptualized and derived. The spatial location of the target acted upon by the waveguide signal is demonstrated to be dynamically adjustable with a linear filtering step. Optimal parameters for waveguide signal generation are derived in the general case, allowing for application to a cross section of homogeneous waveguides. Performance is also considered in non-ideal, absorptive media. Numerical simulations are presented that indicate agreement with analytic results, and an evaluation of possible reduction to practice is presented.