Structured photorefractive layer stack
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorFolkert Horst
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a photorefractive layer stack. A plurality of layers are stacked along in a stacking direction and designed so as to enable a photorefractive response. That is, a refractive index of the plurality of layers modulates in response to illuminating the plurality of layers with an optical pattern of modulated intensity. A plurality of electrically insulated areas are arranged in a plane perpendicular to the stacking direction. The plurality of electrically insulated areas are optically homogenous and prevent lateral diffusion between any two electrically insulated areas of the plurality of electrically insulated areas.
Claims20
A photorefractive layer stack, comprising:
- a plurality of layers stacked along a stacking direction, wherein a refractive index of the plurality of layers modulates in response to illuminating the plurality of layers with an optical pattern of modulated intensity;
- and
- a plurality of electrically insulated areas arranged in a plane perpendicular to the stacking direction;
- wherein the plurality of electrically insulated areas are optically homogenous and prevent lateral diffusion between any two electrically insulated areas of the plurality of electrically insulated areas.
An electro-optical device, comprising:
- a substrate;
- a plurality of layers stacked along a stacking direction disposed on the substrate, wherein a refractive index of the plurality of layers modulates in response to illuminating the plurality of layers with an optical pattern of modulated intensity;
- and
- a plurality of electrically insulated areas arranged in a plane perpendicular to the stacking direction;
- wherein the plurality of electrically insulated areas are optically homogenous and prevent lateral diffusion between any two electrically insulated areas of the plurality of electrically insulated areas.
A method of operating a photorefractive layer stack, the method comprising:
- providing a photorefractive layer stack with layers of materials stacked along a stacking direction, wherein the stack is structured so as to form areas, which are electrically insulated from each other and dimensioned and distributed across a plane of the layer stack so as to be optically homogeneous;
- and
- illuminating the stack with an optical pattern of modulated intensity to obtain a photorefractive response of the stack, whereby a modulation of a refractive index of the stack occurs in response to said optical pattern, while lateral carrier diffusion is prevented due to the electrically insulated areas.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.