Patent · US Active

Optical modulator using the spin hall effect in metals

US10663773B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by

1References

9Claims

0Family size

Assignee

The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy · US

Inventors

Olaf M. J. van 't Erve · Falls Church, US
Connie H. Li · Alexandria, US
Berend T. Jonker · Waldorf, US
Aubrey T. Hanbicki · Washington, US
Kathleen M. McCreary · Washington, US

Key dates

Filing date	Oct 29, 2018
Grant date	May 26, 2020
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Nov 16, 2038

Classification

Technology area (CPC G)Physics
CPC primaryG02F1/0353
WIPO fieldOptics
WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The spin-Hall effect can be used to modulate the linear polarization of light via the magneto-optical Kerr effect. A central area of an outer surface of an added layer atop a spin Hall material is illuminated while simultaneously passing a modulated electric current through the material, so that reflected light has a new linear polarization that differs from the initial linear polarization to a degree depending on the amplitude of the modulated electric current.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.