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US 8,711,463 B2Granted
Light modulators and optical apparatuses including the same
AssigneeSamsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
InventorsSeung-hoon Han, Yong-hwa Park, Chang-gyun Shin, Hong-seok Lee
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Abstract
Provided are examples of light modulators and optical apparatuses that may include the light modulators. A light modulator may include a plasmonic nano-antenna and an element for changing plasmon resonance characteristics of the plasmonic nano-antenna. The plasmon resonance characteristics of the plasmonic nano-antenna may be changed due to a change in refractive index of the element, and thus light may be modulated.
Claims39
A light modulator comprising:
- a plasmonic nano-antenna comprising a nanostructure;
- a refractive index change layer that is disposed adjacent to the plasmonic nano-antenna;
- and
- a refractive index changing unit configured to change a refractive index of the refractive index change layer,
- wherein, in response to the refractive index changing unit changing the refractive index of the refractive index change layer, plasmon resonance characteristics of the plasmonic nano-antenna are changed,
- the nanostructure is disposed on an upper surface of the refractive index change layer, a dielectric layer is provided on the upper surface of the refractive index change layer to cover an upper surface and a side surface of the nanostructure, and the refractive index change layer is located under the nanostructure and the dielectric layer, and
- the refractive index change layer is farther from a light incident side of the light modulator than the dielectric layer.
4 more elements
A light modulate comprising:
- a plasmonic nano-antenna,
- a refractive index change layer that is disposed adjacent to the plasmonic nano-antenna;
- and
- a refractive index changing unit configured to change a refractive index of the refractive index change layer,
- wherein, in response to the refractive index changing unit changing the refractive index of the refractive index change layer, plasmon resonance characteristics of the plasmonic nano-antenna are changed,
- wherein the refractive index change layer comprises a material that has a refractive index that is capable of being changed by an electrical signal,
- the refractive index changing unit comprises first and second electrodes that are spaced apart from each other and intervening the refractive index change layer, and a voltage applying unit configured to apply a voltage between the first and second electrodes, and
- at least a portion of the refractive index change layer is used as the first electrode, the second electrode is disposed at a side of the refractive index change layer and the second electrode is spaced apart from the refractive index change layer, and the plasmonic nano-antenna is disposed at the other side of the refractive index change layer.
5 more elements
A light modulator comprising:
- a nanoparticle layer in which a plurality of nanoparticles are arranged;
- a metallic layer disposed on the nanoparticle layer and that has an uneven structure on a lower surface;
- a refractive index change layer that is disposed on the metallic layer;
- and
- a refractive index changing unit configured to change a refractive index of the refractive index change layer.
2 more elements
A light modulator comprising:
- a plasmonic nano-antenna;
- a refractive index change layer that is disposed adjacent to the plasmonic nano-antenna;
- and
- a refractive index changing unit configured to change a refractive index of the refractive index change layer,
- wherein, in response to the refractive index changing unit changing the refractive index of the refractive index change layer, plasmon resonance characteristics of the plasmonic nano-antenna are changed, and
- the refractive index change layer comprises an electrical conductive transparent material that includes at least one of indium tin oxide (ITO) and a zinc oxide (ZnO)-based material.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.