Compact optical resonators
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorJingjing Li
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to compact, sub-wavelength optical resonators. In one aspect, an optical resonator comprises two approximately parallel reflective structures positioned and configured to form a resonant cavity. The resonator also includes a fishnet structure disposed within the cavity and oriented approximately parallel to the reflective structures. The resonant cavity is configured with a cavity length that can support resonance with electromagnetic radiation having a fundamental wavelength that is more than twice the cavity length.
Claims20
An optical resonator comprising:
- two approximately parallel reflective structures positioned and configured to form a resonant cavity;
- and
- a fishnet structure disposed within the cavity and oriented approximately parallel to the reflective structures, wherein the resonant cavity is configured with a cavity length that can support resonance with electromagnetic radiation having a fundamental wavelength that is more than twice the cavity length.
An optical sensor comprising:
- an optical resonator including:
- two approximately parallel reflective structures positioned to form a resonant cavity, and
- a fishnet structure disposed within the cavity and oriented approximately parallel to the reflective structures;
- an electromagnetic radiation source positioned to emit electromagnetic radiation of a first wavelength into the cavity of the optical resonator, the first wavelength selected to electronically excite analyte molecules input to the cavity;
- and
- a photodetector positioned to detect a second wavelength of electromagnetic radiation emitted from the analyte molecules and output from the cavity of the optical resonator.
A modulator comprising:
- an optical resonator including:
- two approximately parallel reflective structures positioned to form a resonant cavity, and
- a fishnet structure disposed within the cavity and oriented approximately parallel to the reflective structures;
- and
- an electronic signal source electronically coupled to the fishnet wherein data is encoded in a beam of unmodulated electromagnetic radiation input the resonant cavity by applying electronic signals to the fishnet structure, such that the electronic signals change the optical property of the fishnet, shifting resonance of the resonant cavity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.