Optically controlled switching methods based upon the polarization of electromagnetic radiation incident upon carbon nanotubes and electrical-switch systems using such switch devices
US7582892B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 2004 |
| Grant date | Sep 1, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 20, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C13/04
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Described herein is an optically controlled electrical-switch device which includes a first current-conduction terminal and a second current-conduction terminal, and a carbon nanotube connected between the first and the second current-conduction terminals, the carbon nanotube being designed to be impinged upon by electromagnetic radiation and having an electrical conductivity that can be varied by varying the polarization of the electromagnetic radiation incident thereon. In particular, the carbon nanotube may for example, in given conditions of electrical biasing, present a high electrical conductivity when it is impinged upon by electromagnetic radiation having a given wavelength and a polarization substantially parallel to the axis of the carbon nanotube itself, and a reduced electrical conductivity when it is impinged upon by electromagnetic radiation having a given wavelength and a polarization substantially orthogonal to the axis of the carbon nanotube itself.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.