Optical devices, systems and methods
US9594262B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 12, 2013 |
| Grant date | Mar 14, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 12, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F2203/15
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
First and second coherent light beams of the same wavelength are propagated in opposite directions to interact on a sub-wavelength thickness metallic metamaterial layer which is structured with a periodicity such that there is a resonance matched to the wavelength of the coherent beams. The first beam is then able to modulate the intensity of the second beam by modulating the phase and/or intensity of the first beam. The interference of the counter- propagating beams can eliminate or substantially reduce Joule loss of light energy in the metamaterial layer or, on the contrary, can lead to a near total absorption of light, depending on the mutual phase and/or intensity of the interacting beams. A modulation is thus provided without using a non-linear effect.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.