Optical antenna array for harmonic generation, mixing and signal amplification

• US 6,258,401 B1
• Filed: 03/13/2000
• Issued: 07/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ambit Corporation, Soundwave Research Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Robert Joseph Crowley
• Inventors: Crowley, Robert Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Don
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Chuc
• Application Number:
  US09/523,626
• Time in Patent Office: 484 Days
• Field of Search: 359/328, 359/326, 359/327, 359/329, 359/330, 359/331, 359/332, 257/465, 343/700.MS, 343/792.5, 343/721, 372/43, 372/45, 372/48, 385/122, 385/15, 427/126.3, 427/126.6, 427/162, 427/163.2, 427/249.1
• US Class Current: 427/126.3
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 20/00 Nanooptics, e.g. quantum optics or photonic crystals
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/3501 Constructional details or arrangements of non-linear optical devices, e.g. shape of non-linear crystals
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/3509 Shape, e.g. shape of end face
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/353 Frequency conversion, i.e. wherein a light beam is generated with frequency components different from those of the incident light beams
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/355 characterised by the materials used
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/3556 Semiconductor materials, e.g. quantum wells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/37 for second-harmonic generation G02F1/3532 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/248 provided with an AC/DC converting device, e.g. rectennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/2676 Optically controlled phased array
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/46 Active lenses or reflecting arrays

Abstract

An optical antenna collects, modifies and emits energy at light wavelengths. Linear conductors sized to correspond to the light wavelengths are used. Nonlinear junctions of small dimension are used to rectify an alternating waveform induced upon the conductors by the lightwave electromagnetic energy. The optical antenna and junctions are effective to produce harmonic energy at light wavelengths. The linear conductors may be comprised of carbon nanotubes that are attached to a substrate material, which may then be connected to an electrical port.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a lightwave electromagnetic antenna device comprising the steps of;

providing a substrate material,

depositing a metal oxide region on said substrate material, said metal oxide region having an electrical length shorter than a light wavelength, and,

growing an elongated linear structure having an electrical length corresponding to a light wavelength upon said metal oxide region.

2. The method of manufacturing a lightwave electromagnetic antenna device as recited in claim 1, wherein said elongated linear structure has a first end and a second end, said first end having an attachment point to said metal oxide region, said second end extending into free space.

3. The method of manufacturing a lightwave electromagnetic antenna device as recited in claim 1, wherein said elongated linear structure is a carbon nanotube.

4. The method of manufacturing a lightwave electromagnetic antenna device as recited in claim 1, wherein said metal oxide region is a nanoparticle.

5. The method of manufacturing a lightwave electromagnetic antenna device as recited in claim 3, wherein said nanoparticle is an iron oxide nanoparticle of less than 100 nanometers in diameter.

6. A method of manufacturing a wavelength of selective light responsive array of conductive linear elements comprising the steps of;

providing a substrate material,

depositing a metal oxide region on said substrate material, said metal oxide region having an electrical length shorter than a light wavelength, and,

growing a first group of conductive linear elements having an electrical length corresponding to a first light wavelength,

growing a second group of conductive linear elements having an electrical length corresponding to a second light wavelength.

7. The method of manufacturing a wavelength selective light responsive array of conductive linear elements as recited in claim 6, wherein said substrate material is provided with an electrical terminal.

8. A method of modifying a light wave comprising the steps of;

providing a substrate material,

depositing a metal oxide region on said substrate material, said metal oxide region having an electrical length shorter than a light wave length, and

growing an elongated linear structure having an electrical length corresponding to a light wavelength upon said metal oxide region,

providing an electrical signal to said substrate material, and

collecting, modifying and emitting energy at a light wavelength at said linear structure and said metal oxide region.

9. The method of modifying a light wave as recited in claim 8, wherein application of a current to said substrate material is effective to modulate said light wave.

10. The method of modifying a light wave as recited in claim 8, wherein application of a current to said substrate is effective to switch said light wave.