Optical limiters for facilitating aperture protection
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorTai Anh Lam
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Various techniques provide optical limiters for facilitating aperture protection. In one example, a system includes an optical device. The optical device includes a photocathode configured to emit electrons in response to an applied voltage and an incident light. The optical device further includes a phase change material. At least a portion of the phase change material is configured to receive the electrons from the photocathode. The portion is further configured to transition from a first phase to a second phase in response to the electrons. The portion is further configured to reflect the incident light when the portion of the phase change material is in the second phase. Related methods and products are also provided.
Claims20
A system comprising:
- an optical device comprising:
- a photocathode configured to emit electrons in response to an applied voltage and an incident light;
- and
- a phase change material, wherein at least a portion of the phase change material is configured to:
- receive the electrons from the photocathode;
- transition from a first phase to a second phase in response to the electrons;
- and
- reflect the incident light when the portion of the phase change material is in the second phase.
A method comprising:
- applying a voltage to a photocathode and a phase change material;
- receiving incident light on at least a portion of the photocathode;
- providing, by the photocathode to at least a portion of the phase change material, electrons in response to the applied voltage and the incident light;
- transitioning the portion of the phase change material from a first phase to a second phase in response to the electrons;
- and
- reflecting, by the portion of the phase change material, the incident light when the portion of the phase change material is in the second phase.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.