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Direct electrical-to-optical conversion and light modulation in micro whispering-gallery-mode resonators

  • US 20020021765A1
  • Filed: 06/15/2001
  • Published: 02/21/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2000
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A device, comprising:

  • an optical resonator designed to support whispering gallery modes and formed of a dielectric material that has an energy level structure that absorbs light at a selected optical frequency and absorbs electrical energy at an electrical frequency, wherein absorption of said electrical energy changes absorption of said light;

    an optical coupler positioned adjacent to said optical resonator to evanescently couple optical energy into said optical resonator in a whispering gallery mode or out of said optical resonator; and

    an electrical coupler positioned to couple an electrical signal at said electrical frequency into said optical resonator to at least partially overlap with said whispering gallery mode to modulate optical energy in said optical resonator by modulating said absorption.

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