Bistable optically switchable resonant-tunneling device and its use in signal processing
US5126553A · kind A · utility
9Cited by
9References
28Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 28, 1990 |
| Grant date | Jun 30, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 28, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F1/01708
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
For use, e.g., as a fast acting microminiature optical switch, modulator, or oscillator in integrated optics, a device is provided with a light-sensitive element (12-20) whose electrical state can be influenced optically. The element (12-20) includes electrically biased semiconductor layers (15-17) which form a resonant-tunneling structure, and the electrical state is switched by radiation (23, 25) having quantum-well bandgap energy. The change in electrical state is accompanied by a change in opacity or refractive index, permitting optical read-out (24, 26).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.