Tunable microcavity and method of using nonlinear materials in a photonic crystal
US6058127A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 12, 1997 |
| Grant date | May 2, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 12, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F2202/32
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A nonlinear dielectric material is incorporated within a photonic crystal as a means of changing the refractive index of a defect. In this way, the resonant frequency can be easily adjusted, after fabrication, by external mechanisms (either optical or electronic). The ability to tune the frequency of a resonant mode is useful for constructing photonic integrated devices, thus the invention enables the use of a photonic-crystal microcavity for such purposes. In one embodiment there is provided a photonic crystal having a periodic dielectric structure, and a defect positioned within the structure to define a microcavity. The defect includes a nonlinear material and being adapted to have an induced variation in index of refraction so as to tune the resonant mode of the microcavity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.