Optical storage and switching devices using organic charge transfer salts
AssigneeThe Johns Hopkins University
InventorsRichard S. Potember, Theodore O. Poehler, Richard C. Benson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Optical devices using an organic charge transfer salt as the switching and storage media are disclosed. Generally, a light beam of a given intensity directed to a film of certain organic charge transfer salts causes the illuminated area to change from a first to a second state. This electrochemical process is reversible with heat energy transforming the illuminated area back into the first state. The first and second states have identifiably different optical and electrical properties. The organic charge transfer salt is used to fabricate an erasable or permanent optical memory and a threshold on bistable optoelectronic switch.
Claims38
An optically sensitive medium comprising a film of organic charge transfer salt responsive to the application of optical energy for undergoing an electrochemical redox reaction effective when illuminated by said optical energy to switch between a first state having an associated optical spectrum and a second state having an associated detectably different optical spectrum from said first state, whereby said film stores data in accordance with the selective illumination thereof by said optical energy.
An optically sensitive medium comprising a film of organic charge transfer salt responsive to the application of optical energy for undergoing an electrochemical redox reaction effective when illuminated by said optical energy to switch between a first state having an associated electrical impedance and a second state having an associated different electrical impedance, whereby said film switches in accordance with the selective illumination thereof by said optical energy.
An optically sensitive medium comprising a film of organic charge transfer salt responsive to the application of optical energy for undergoing an electrochemical redox reaction effective when illuminated by said optical energy to switch between a first state having an associated color and a second state having a detectably different color from said first state, whereby said film stores data in accordance with the selective illumination thereof by said optical energy.
An optical memory apparatus comprising:
- an optical write beam adapted to selectively illuminate at least one of a plurality of locations on the surface of a film of an organic charge transfer salt, causing said illuminated location to undergo an electrochemical redox reaction, thereby switching said illuminated location from a first state to a second state, said first state having a different optical spectrum from said second state;
- and,
- a spectroscopic means for selectively analyzing the optical spectrum of at least one of said plurality of locations and for determining if an analyzed location is in said first or second state.
An optical memory apparatus comprising:
- an optical write beam adapted to selectively illuminate at least one of a plurality of locations on the surface of a film of an organic charge transfer salt having a donor complexed with an organic electron acceptor, causing said illuminated location to undergo an electrochemical redox reaction, thereby switching said illuminated location from a first state to a second state, said first state having a different optical spectrum from said second state;
- and,
- a spectroscopic means for selectively analyzing the optical spectrum for at least one of said plurality of locations and for detecting the presence of neutral molecules of said organic electron acceptor, said second state having more neutral molecules of said electron acceptor than said first state.
An optical memory apparatus comprising:
- an optical write beam adapted to selectively illuminate at least one of a plurality of locations on the surface of a film of an organic charge transfer salt having a donor complexed with an organic electron acceptor causing said illuminated location to undergo an electrochemical redox reaction, thereby switching said illuminated location from a first state to a second state, said first state having a different optical spectrum from said second state;
- and,
- a spectroscopic means for selectively analyzing at least one of said plurality of locations and for measuring the amplitude of at least one spectral band associated with neutral molecules of said organic electron acceptor, said at least one spectral band having a greater magnitude in said second state than said first state.
An optical memory apparatus comprising:
- an optical write beam adapted to selectively illuminate at least one of a plurality of locations on the surface of a film of an organic charge transfer salt having a donor complexed with an organic electron acceptor causing said illuminated location to undergo an electrochemical redox reaction, thereby switching said illuminated location from a first state to a second state, said first state having a different optical spectrum from said second state;
- and,
- a spectroscopic means for optically analyzing at least one of said plurality of locations and for detecting a change in the oxidation state of said organic electron acceptor, thereby detecting whether said location in a said first state or said second state.
An optical memory apparatus comprising:
- an optical write beam adapted to selectively illuminate at least one of a plurality of locations on the surface of a film of an organic charge transfer salt, causing said illuminated location to undergo an electrochemical redox reaction, thereby switching said illuminated location from a first state to a second state, said first state having a detectably different color from said second state;
- and,
- an optical means for selectively analyzing the color of at least one of said plurality of locations and for determining if an analyzed location is in said first or second state.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.