Optical waveguide having bistable transmission states suitable for optical logic circuits
US7953307B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 22, 2006 |
| Grant date | May 31, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 22, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F2202/06
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical circuit comprises a bistable optical waveguide having first and second transmission states, and is more transmissive to light of a given wavelength in the second state than in the first state. First and second light sources emit light of first and second wavelengths, respectively, and are coupled to the waveguide at one end. Selectively transmitting a sufficient amount of light of the first wavelength through the waveguide switches the waveguide into the second state. Selectively transmitting a sufficient amount of light of the second wavelength through the waveguide switches it back to the first state. A sensing light source at the other end of the waveguide transmits a sensing light signal through the waveguide in the opposite propagation direction to that of light of the first and second wavelengths. A sensor detects the amount of the sensing light signal transmitted through the waveguide.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.