Patent · US Expired

Optically functional element and production method and application therefor

US6790502B1 · kind B1 · utility

14Cited by
5References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 22, 2002
Grant dateSep 14, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 22, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T428/21
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The object of the present invention is to provide an optically functional element having a large change in refractive index with temperature change and a fast change rate in refractive index, a production method for the same and optical switch, temperature sensor and optical information recording medium using the same.The present invention provides a thin film formed directly on a substrate or via other layers, and the film is composed of particles with an average diameter of not larger than 13 nm, observed at film surface. The present invention also provides an optically functional element having an amount of change in refractive index of not less than 2.0×10−4/° C. The present invention further provides a production method for said thin film by sputtering under reduced pressure in an inert gas atmosphere containing 3-15% by volume of oxygen, and optical switch, temperature sensor and optical information recording medium using said element.

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