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US 9,285,611 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.
Claims26
A light modulator comprising:
- a plasmonic nano-antenna comprising a plurality of unit structures configured according to a substantially common resonance wavelength, λ, to form an array pattern;
- 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 a distance between centers of neighboring two unit structures of the plurality of unit structures is equal to or less than λ/2, where λ is the common resonance wavelength of each of the unit structures.
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,
- the plasmonic nano-antenna 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 of the plasmonic nano-antenna, and the refractive index change layer is located under the plasmonic nano-antenna 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 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,
- the refractive index change layer comprises an electrically conductive transparent material, and
- a distance between the plasmonic nano-antenna and the electrically conductive transparent material is equal to or less than about 80 nm.
4 more elements
A light modulator comprising:
- a plasmonic nano-antenna comprising a plurality of unit structures which form an array pattern;
- 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 a distance between centers of neighboring two unit structures of the plurality of unit structures is equal to or less than λ/2, where λ is a resonance wavelength of the light modulator, and at least one unit structure of the plurality of unit structures is disposed on an upper surface of the refractive index change layer, a dielectric layer is further provided on the upper surface of the refractive index change layer to cover an upper surface and a side surface of the at least one unit structure, and the refractive index change layer is located under the at least one unit structure and the dielectric layer.
2 more elements
A plasmonic nano-antenna comprising:
- a plurality of unit structures which form an array pattern;
- 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, the refractive index changing unit comprises first and second electrodes spaced apart from each other, wherein the refractive index change layer is disposed between the first and second electrodes, and a voltage applying unit is configured to apply a voltage between the first and second electrodes;
- a distance between centers of neighboring two unit structures of the plurality of unit structures is equal to or less than λ/2, where λ is a resonance wavelength of the light modulator;
- and at least a portion of the refractive index change layer is used as the first electrode;
- and,
- 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.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.