System and method for optical processing based on light-controlled photon tunneling
US6897436B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 6, 2003 |
| Grant date | May 24, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 27, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB82Y10/00
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system (10) for optical processing based on light-controlled photon tunneling is provided. The system (10) includes a prism (12) having a metallic film layer (14) formed on an upper surface thereof. The metallic film layer (14) has a microscopic aperture (18) formed therethrough and the microscopic aperture (18) is covered by a layer of non-linear optical film. A first light beam (30) is projected towards aperture (18) and photons from first light beam (30) tunnel through aperture (18). A second light beam (32) is also projected towards microscopic aperture (18), with the second light beam (32) having a different wavelength than that of light beam (30). Selective actuation and modulation of light beam (32) allows for selective control over the rate and intensity of the photons which tunnel through microscopic aperture (18). The intensity of transmission of the photons from light beam (30) are measured by optical fiber tip (22), thus allowing for the creation of optical gates, switches, and other optical processing devices.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.