Optical switching devices
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsMichael E. Boyle, James S. Shirk
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optical switching device employs a rare earth bis-phthalocyanine having good third-order nonlinear susceptibilities. In a preferred optical switch, the rare earth bis-phthalocyanine is employed as a nonlinear optical material body that fills the space between two partially reflecting mirrors. When light incident on the switch is below a given intensity level, light passes through the switch and the switch is in an open state. When light is above a given intensity level, light is trapped in the nonlinear optical material and the switch is in a closed state.
Claims11
An optical switch comprising:
- switching means, comprising of a pair of spaced, partially reflecting mirrors defining a cavity therebetween;
- and a body of nonlinear optical material which substantially fills said cavity for providing an open state wherein in response to light incident thereon of an intensity below a first level a substantial portion of the incident light passes therethrough, and for providing a closed state wherein in response to light incident thereon of an intensity greater than a second level a substantial portion of the incident light does not pass therethrough, said nonlinear optical material comprising a rare earth bis-phthalocyanine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.