Optical transistor with sub-wavelength aperture
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorRobert Howard
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An optical switch has a conductor and one or more sub-wavelength apertures. The switch is activated and periodic perturbations are dynamically formed in proximity to the conductor. Photons are directed toward and impinge upon the switch, and a greater amount of light propagates through the sub-wavelength apertures in the activated switch as compared to an unactivated switch.
Claims55
An optical switch comprising:
- a conductor;
- one or more sub-wavelength apertures;
- and
- means to dynamically alter an electromagnetic environment in proximity to a surface of said conductor;
- wherein upon alteration of said electromagnetic environment in proximity to said surface of said conductor, periodic perturbations are formed in proximity to said surface of said conductor.
An optical switch comprising:
- a conductor;
- a channel;
- one or more semiconductor junctions, said semiconductor junctions disposed within said channel;
- and
- means to apply a signal to said switch;
- whereupon application of said signal to said switch, one or more depletion zones are formed within said channel, said depletion zones forming periodic perturbations within said switch.
An optical switch comprising:
- a conductor;
- an active optical coating on one or more surfaces of said conductor;
- one or more terminals on a surface of said optical coating;
- and
- a signal generator electrically coupled to said one or more terminals;
- whereupon application of a signal to said terminals, periodic perturbations are formed within said active optical coating.
An optical switch comprising:
- a conductor;
- an actuator;
- and
- one or more periodic spatial electromagnetic perturbations, said periodic spatial electromagnetic perturbations comprising a conductive coating;
- wherein upon application of a signal to said actuator, a distance between said conductor and said periodic spatial electromagnetic perturbations changes, thereby changing the capacitance and creating periodic perturbations in said switch.
An optical switch comprising:
- a transparent substrate;
- and
- a conductor;
- wherein upon application of an acoustic wave to said switch, said conductor is physically altered, thereby forming periodic perturbations in said conductor.
An optical switch comprising:
- a conductor;
- an active optical coating on one or more sides of said conductor;
- and
- a standing pump beam impinging on said switch, said pump beam comprising one or more intensities or light;
- wherein said one or more intensities of said pump beam create periodic perturbations in said conductor.
An optical switch comprising:
- a conductor;
- a transparent ferromagnetic coating deposited on said conductor;
- and
- means to apply a magnetic field to said switch;
- wherein said magnetic field alters a permeability of said ferromagnetic coating, thereby forming periodic perturbations in said switch.
An optical switch comprising:
- a conductor;
- a transparent ferromagnetic coating deposited on said conductor;
- a transparent non-ferromagnetic coating deposited on said conductor;
- and
- means to apply a magnetic field to said switch;
- wherein said ferromagnetic coating and said non-ferromagnetic coating form periodic perturbations on said switch.
A process to increase the amount of light propagated through a sub-wavelength aperture in an optical switch, comprising the steps of:
- providing an optical switch, said optical switch comprising one or more sub-wavelength apertures;
- applying a signal to said switch, said signal creating periodic perturbations in said switch;
- and
- directing photons to impinge upon said switch;
- wherein light from said photons propagate through said sub-wavelength aperture.
A process to increase the amount of light propagated through a sub-wavelength aperture in an optical switch, comprising the steps of:
- providing an optical switch, said optical switch comprising one or more sub-wavelength apertures;
- applying an acoustic wave to said switch, said acoustic wave creating periodic perturbations in said switch;
- and
- directing photons to impinge upon said switch;
- wherein light from said photons propagate through said sub-wavelength aperture.
A process to increase the amount of light propagated through a sub-wavelength aperture in an optical switch, comprising the steps of:
- providing an optical switch, said optical switch comprising a conductor, said conductor coated with an optically active coating;
- directing a standing beam to impinge on said optically active coating, said standing beam creating different refractive indices within said optically active coating;
- and
- directing a write beam to impinge on said optically active coating;
- wherein light from said write beam propagates through said sub-wavelength aperture.
An optical switch comprising:
- a conductor;
- a layer of ferromagnetic material disposed on said conductor;
- a layer of non-ferromagnetic material disposed on said conductor;
- and
- one or more sub-wavelength apertures embedded in said switch.
A process to increase the amount of light propagated through a sub-wavelength aperture in an optical switch, comprising the steps of:
- providing an optical switch, said optical switch comprising a conductor, said conductor coated with a ferromagnetic material and an non-ferromagnetic material;
- introducing a magnetic field in proximity to said switch;
- and
- directing a beam of photons onto said switch;
- whereby light from said beam of photons propagates through said sub-wavelength aperture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.