Electro-optic modulators
OwnerSteven Allen Carlson, Arthur Wagner Bergerinventors
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Abstract
Provided is an electro-optic modulator comprising an organic free radical compound, preferably comprising a reflective organic free radical compound, as an active modulating material. The modulator is reversibly switched between two states of high and low transmission at a wavelength by the application of an electric current. Preferably, the optical modulator is solid state with no moving parts such that the active modulating material does not move when reversibly switched between the two states. Also provided are methods of modulating an optical signal utilizing such electro-optic modulators.
Claims43
An electro-optic modulator for modulating an optical signal at a wavelength in an input optical path between a first state of transmitting said optical signal into an output optical path and a second state of not transmitting said optical signal into said output optical path, wherein said modulator comprises an active modulating material that comprises an organic free radical compound in at least one of said first and second states.
An electro-optic modulator for modulating an optical signal at a wavelength in an input optical path between a first state of transmitting said optical signal into an output optical path and a second state of not transmitting said optical signal into said output optical path, wherein said optical modulator comprises an active modulating material that comprises an organic free radical compound in at least one of said first and second states, wherein said organic free radical compound is a salt of an aminium radical cation.
A method of modulating an optical signal at a wavelength, wherein said method comprises the steps of:
- (a) providing an input optical path;
- (b) providing an output optical path;
- (c) interposing an optical modulator for modulating an optical signal at a wavelength in said input optical path between a first state of transmitting said optical signal into said output optical path and a second state of not transmitting said optical signal into said output optical path, wherein said modulator comprises an active modulating material that comprises an organic free radical compound in at least one of said first and second states;
- (d) providing an optical signal in said input optical path;
- and
- (e) reversibly switching said active modulating material between said first and second states to modulate said optical signal in said output optical path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.