Optical router using interconnected photonic crystal elements with specific lattice-hole geometry
US9459404B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 4, 2011 |
| Grant date | Oct 4, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 30, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04Q2011/0058
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical routing element may include a planar dielectric photonic crystal which includes a lattice of holes having a first linear defect adjacent a second linear defect, with the two defects being separated by a central row of lattice holes. The first linear defect in the lattice of holes may form a first single mode line defect waveguide, and the second linear defect in the lattice of holes may form a second single mode line defect waveguide. Optical energy may be selectively coupled between the first and second waveguides across the central row of lattice holes. A free-carrier injector may be included to inject free-carriers into the dielectric photonic crystal, activation of which may alter selectivity of the optical coupling between the first and second waveguides. A plurality of optical routing elements with associated free-carrier injectors may be interconnected to form a bi-directional optical routing array.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.