Evanescent wave absorption based devices
US8921794B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 22, 2011 |
| Grant date | Dec 30, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 13, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F1/0156
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A device (100) is described for actively or passively modulating incident radiation, the device comprising at least one diffraction means (10) adapted for evanescent wave excitation upon irradiation with the incident radiation, and an absorption layer (40) adjacent the at least one diffraction means (10) so that the evanescent waves can interact with the absorption layer (40). The absorption layer (40) has alterable absorption properties so as to alter the absorption of the evanescent waves resulting in modulating of the incident radiation. The device (100) may be for actively modulating incident radiation thus being e.g. a modulator for laser radiation. Alternatively, the device may be for passively modulating incident radiation, thus acting as a sensing device for sensing environmental parameters.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.