Nanotube based optical fuse device and method
US8233758B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 28, 2011 |
| Grant date | Jul 31, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 26, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/266
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical fuse or energy-switching-off device includes an optical waveguide having an input section and an output section, the two sections forming a pair of opposed surfaces extending transversely through the axes of the waveguide sections. A substantially transparent material is disposed between the opposed surfaces and comprises an electrically conductive nanotube web immersed in dielectric material, where the nanotubes are not in electrical contact with each other. The substantially transparent material forms a plasma when exposed to optical signals propagating within the optical waveguide with an optical power level above a predetermined threshold, and the plasma damages the opposed surfaces sufficiently to render the surfaces substantially opaque to light propagating within the input section of the optical waveguide so as to prevent the transmission of such light.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.