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US 5,067,788 AGranted
High modulation rate optical plasmon waveguide modulator
AssigneePhysical Optics Corporation
InventorsTomasz P. Jannson, Joanna L. Jannson, Behzad Moslehi
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AssigneePhysical Optics Corporation
InventorsTomasz P. Jannson, Joanna L. Jannson, Behzad Moslehi
Estimating the term…
A high-speed light modulator employing surface plasmon wave coupling comprises a metal-dielectric interface positioned adjacent to and externally of a waveguide carrying totally internally reflected light waves. A high frequency voltage applied to the interface causes the dielectric, in the preferred case an ultra-fast electro-optic polymer, to resonate, generating a surface plasmon wave at the interface. The plasmon wave couples with the evanescent wave portion of the light waves in the waveguide. The output intensity of the light waves varies inversely with the strength of coupling between the light wave and surface plasmon wave modes. The modulator eliminates bulk and alignment problems associated with state of the art modulators and can be employed in integrated optic circuits.
A light modulator comprising
A light modulator comprising
A device for modulating the intensity of a light wave traveling in a waveguide, comprising means for coupling the light wave with a surface plasmon wave generated at the interface between (1) a material, the refractive index of which is responsive to voltages applied across the material, and (2) one of two electrodes sandwiching the material by varying the voltage between the electrodes, and phase matching layer means disposed between the waveguide and the means for coupling, whereby the intensity of the light wave varies in accordance with the surface plasmon wave generated by the voltage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.