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US 8,797,631 B2Granted
Photonic modulation of a photonic band gap
AssigneeThe Invention Science Fund I, LLC
InventorsWilliam D. Duncan, Roderick A. Hyde, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Thomas A. Weaver, Lowell J. Wood, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus comprises a first photonic crystal structure having a first photonic band gap distribution and configured to support a first electromagnetic signal, wherein the first photonic band gap distribution may vary according to a second electromagnetic signal.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a first photonic crystal structure having a first photonic band gap distribution and configured to support a first electromagnetic signal having a first frequency distribution, the first photonic crystal structure including a first mechanically movable element;
- a first converter configured to receive a second electromagnetic signal different from the first electromagnetic signal and having a second frequency distribution that does not overlap the first frequency distribution, wherein the first converter is further configured to output a first electrical signal corresponding to the second electromagnetic signal;
- and
- wherein the first mechanically movable element is responsive to the first electrical signal to change the first photonic band gap distribution.
1 more element
An apparatus comprising:
- a first photonic crystal structure having a first photonic band gap distribution and configured to support a first electromagnetic signal having a first frequency distribution;
- a first converter configured to receive a second electromagnetic signal, different from the first electromagnetic signal and having a second frequency distribution that does not overlap the first frequency distribution, wherein the first converter is further configured to output a first acoustic signal corresponding to the second electromagnetic signal;
- and
- wherein the first photonic band gap distribution is configured to change corresponding to the first acoustic signal.
1 more element
A method comprising:
- propagating a first electromagnetic signal having a first frequency distribution in a first region having a first photonic band gap distribution;
- converting a second electromagnetic signal, different from the first electromagnetic signal and having a second frequency distribution that does not overlap the first frequency distribution, to a first acoustic signal selected to change the first photonic band gap distribution;
- and
- adjusting the propagation of the first electromagnetic signal responsive to the change in the first photonic band gap distribution.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.