Fiber incorporating quantum dots as programmable dopants
US6978070B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 26, 2001 |
| Grant date | Dec 20, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 19, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S977/902
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A programmable dopant fiber includes a plurality of quantum structures formed on a fiber-shaped substrate, wherein the substrate includes one or more energy-carrying control paths (34), possibly surrounded by an insulator (35), which pass energy to quantum structures. Quantum structures may include quantum dot particles (37) on the surface of the fiber or electrodes (30) on top of barrier layers (31) and transport layer (32) which form quantum dot devices (QD). The energy passing through the control paths (34) drives charge carriers into the quantum dots (QD), leading to the formation of “artificial atoms” with real-time tunable properties. These artificial atoms then serve as programmable dopants, which alter the behavior of surrounding materials. The fiber can be used as a programmable dopant inside bulk materials, as a building block for new materials with unique properties, or as a substitute for quantum dots or quantum wires in certain applications.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.