Optical: systems and elements – Optical modulator – Light wave temporal modulation
Patent
1989-06-15
1992-03-17
Hille, Rolf
Optical: systems and elements
Optical modulator
Light wave temporal modulation
359248, 357 2, 357 19, G02F 101
Patent
active
050973576
ABSTRACT:
An optically bistable device is disclosed. The device includes a uniformly thick layer of amorphous silicon to constitute a Fabry-Perot chamber positioned to provide a target area for a probe beam. The probe beam has a maximum energy less than the energy band gap of the amorphous semiconductor. In a preferred embodiment, a multilayer dielectric mirror is positioned on the Fabry-Perot chamber to increase the finesse of switching of the device. The index of refraction of the amorphous material is thermally altered to alter the transmission of the probe beam.
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Gal Michael
Ranganathan Radha
Taylor P. Craig
Hille Rolf
Potter Roy
University of Utah
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