Ultrafast all-optical switch using carbon nanotube polymer composites
US6782154B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 12, 2002 |
| Grant date | Aug 24, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 26, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S977/932
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An ultrafast all-optical nonlinear switch. The switch has as components a substrate and a material disposed on the substrate. In one embodiment, the material includes a plurality of single-walled carbon nanotubes and a polymer forming a composite. Preferably, the polymer is polyimide. In another embodiment, the material includes a plurality of single-walled carbon nanotubes incorporated into a silica. The nanotube loading in the material is less than about 0.1 wt %. The material is a substantially transparent, third-order nonlinear optical material. The switch has a switching speed of less than 1 picosecond for light with a wavelength of about 1.55 micrometers. Also disclosed is a process for preparing the ultrafast all-optical nonlinear switch.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.