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US 2002/0176649 A1Published application
Optically controlled switches
AssigneeLucent Technologies Inc.
InventorsZhenan Bao, David John Bishop, Robert Albert Boie, Dustin W. Carr, Edwin Arthur Chandross, Peter Kian-Hoon Ho
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optically controlled switch includes first and second electrodes, a channel extending between the electrodes, and a light source positioned to illuminate the channel. The light source produces a wavelength capable of changing the material's conductivity. The channel includes a photosensitive organic material and is configured to operate as a light controlled switch.
Claims31
An apparatus, comprising:
- first and second electrodes;
- a channel having a photosensitive organic material and extending between the electrodes;
- and
- a light source positioned to illuminate the channel transverse to a direction of current flow therein and configured to produce light with a wavelength capable of changing the conductivity of the material, the channel being configured to operate as an optically controlled switch.
1 more element
A system, comprising:
- a micro-electromechanical (MEM) device;
- and
- a circuit connected to control the MEM device, the circuit including an organic channel configured to operate as an optically controlled switch.
A system, comprising:
- a micro-electromechanical (MEM) device;
- and
- a circuit connected to control the MEM device, the circuit including an inorganic channel configured to operate as an optically controlled photosensitive resistor.
A method for producing a drive voltage, comprising:
- applying a voltage across an organic photosensitive switch;
- and
- applying a light intensity to the organic photosensitive switch while applying the voltage, the applied voltage being greater than any photovoltaic voltage produced by the light intensity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.