Optical pumping field emission type light-to-current converter

Abstract

A simplified field emission type light-to-current converter having a high sensitivity and high-speed response (on the order of picoseconds) which obtains a large field emission current comprises an optical pumping field emission type light-to-current converter. In one embodiment, the optical pumping field emission type light-to-current converter includes an optical waveguide through which light may be propagated, a conductive transparent film, one of a semiconductor material and an insulating material, and a conductor. The waveguide, conductive transparent film, and insulator or semiconductor are joined to each other such that when light is projected through the waveguide and a bias voltage is applied across the conductive transparent film and the conductor, a field emission current is obtained. A light emission side of the optical wave guide material is in contact with the transparent conductive film and may be provided with a sharpened end portion or a plurality of needle-like projections formed therein.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.