Surface plasmon devices

• US 7,177,515 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2002
• Issued: 02/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Colorado (University of Colorado System)
• Original Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Colorado (University of Colorado System)
• Inventors: Estes, Michael J., Moddel, Garret
• Primary Examiner(s): HAHM, SARAH UH YOUNG
• Application Number:
  US10/140,535
• Publication Number:
  US 20030206708A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,744 Days
• Field of Search: 385129-132, 385/30, 385/31, 385/37
• US Class Current: 385/130
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 20/00 Nanooptics, e.g. quantum optics or photonic crystals
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/10 of the optical waveguide type G02B6/02, G02B6/24 take precedence; devices or arrangements for the control of light by electric, magnetic, electro-magnetic or acoustic means G02F1/00; transferring the modulation of modulated light G02F2/00; optical logic elements G02F3/00; optical analogue/digital converters G02F7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/12 of the integrated circuit kind electric integrated circuits H01L27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/1226 involving surface plasmon interaction

Abstract

A device including an input port configured to receive an input signal is described. The device also includes an output port and a structure, which structure includes a tunneling junction connected with the input port and the output port. The tunneling junction is configured in a way (i) which provides electrons in a particular energy state within the structure, (ii) which produces surface plasmons in response to the input signal, (iii) which causes the structure to act as a waveguide for directing at least a portion of the surface plasmons along a predetermined path toward the output port such that the surface plasmons so directed interact with the electrons in a particular way, and (iv) which produces at the output port an output signal resulting from the particular interaction between the electrons and the surface plasmons.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a) an input port configured to receive an input signal, and

b) a structure including an elongated tunneling junction connected with said input port configured such that said input signal produces a traveling wave along a predetermined path within said elongated tunneling junction.

2. A device comprising:

a) an input port configured to receive an input signal, and

b) a structure including an elongated tunneling junction connected with said input port configured such that said input signal enters said elongated tunneling junction from only one end so as to produce a traveling wave along a predetermined path within said elongated tunneling junction.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said input port is an antenna structure.

4. A device comprising:

a) a structure including an elongated tunneling junction that transmits a traveling wave signal that travels along a predetermined path within said tunneling junction and exits said elongated tunneling junction from only one end of the elongated tunneling junction, and

b) an output port connected with said one end of said elongated tunneling junction.

5. A device comprising:

an input port configured to receive an input signal; and

a structure including a tunneling junction connected with said input port configured such that said input signal enters said tunneling junction from only one end so as to produce a traveling wave along a predetermined path within said tunneling junction,

wherein said tunneling junction is configured in a way which (i) provides electrons in a particular energy state within said structure and (ii) produces surface plasmons in response to said input signal.

6. A device comprising:

an input port configured to receive an input signal; and

a structure including a tunneling junction connected with said input port configured such that said input signal enters said tunneling junction from only one end so as to produce a traveling wave along a predetermined path within said tunneling junction,

wherein said tunneling junction is configured in a way which (i) provides electrons in a particular energy state within said structure and (ii) produces surface plasmons in response to said input signal, and

said device further comprising an output port, and wherein said tunneling junction is further configured in a way which (iii) causes said structure to act as a waveguide for directing at least a portion of said surface plasmons along said predetermined path toward said output port such that the surface plasmons interact with said electrons in a particular way, and (iv) produces at said output port an output signal resulting from said particular interaction between said electrons and said surface plasmons.