Carbon nanotube light emitting device, light source, and photo coupler

• US 8,895,997 B2
• Filed: 04/01/2011
• Issued: 11/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: KEIO University
• Original Assignee: KEIO University
• Inventors: Maki, Hideyuki, Yamauchi, Youhei
• Primary Examiner(s): MUNOZ, ANDRES F
• Application Number:
  US13/643,857
• Publication Number:
  US 20130087758A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,334 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 257/79
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 10/00 Nanotechnology for information processing, storage or transmission, e.g. quantum computing or single electron logic
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 20/00 Nanooptics, e.g. quantum optics or photonic crystals
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: H01K 1/06 Carbon bodies
• CPC Class Codes: H01K 1/10 Bodies of metal or carbon combined with other substance
• CPC Class Codes: H01K 3/02 Manufacture of incandescent bodies
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/04 with a quantum effect structure or superlattice, e.g. tunnel junction
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/80 Optical aspects relating to the use of optical transmission for specific applications, not provided for in groups H04B10/03 - H04B10/70, e.g. optical power feeding or optical transmission through water
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/11 characterised by the electroluminescent [EL] layers
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/30 Organic light-emitting transistors
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 85/221 Carbon nanotubes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/95 Electromagnetic energy

Abstract

A plurality of electrodes, and carbon nanotubes disposed between the electrodes, at least part of the carbon nanotubes including a metal carbon nanotube are provided. The metal carbon nanotube generates heat upon passing of current to the electrodes and emits light by blackbody radiation, so that the emitted light has a wide emission wavelength region and can be modulated at high speed. This makes it possible to implement a continuum spectrum light source that can be modulated at high speed, which is suitable for use in information communication, electrical and electronic fields.

Claims

1. A carbon nanotube light emitting device, comprising:

a plurality of electrodes;

carbon nanotubes disposed between the plurality of electrodes, at least part of the carbon nanotubes including a metal carbon nanotube, and

an insulator covering at least a surface of the metal carbon nanotube, wherein the metal carbon nanotube is configured to generates heat upon passing of current to the plurality of electrodes and is configured to emits light by blackbody radiation, so that the emitted light is configured to be modulated.

2. The carbon nanotube light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the metal carbon nanotube and the plurality of electrodes are disposed on a substrate.

3. A photo coupler, comprising:

the carbon nanotube light emitting device according to claim 2; and

a light receiving device.

4. A light source comprising the carbon nanotube light emitting device according to claim 1 wherein the metal carbon nanotube is disposed on a substrate so as to be orthogonal to an optical fiber.

5. A light source comprising the carbon nanotube fight emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the metal carbon nanotube and the plurality of electrodes are disposed on a substrate so that light is configured to be emitted in a direction parallel to a surface of the substrate.

6. A light source comprising the carbon nanotube light emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the metal carbon nanotube and the plurality of electrodes are disposed on a substrate so that light is configured to be emitted in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the substrate.

7. A photo coupler, comprising:

the carbon nanotube light emitting device according to claim 1; and

a light receiving device.

8. A carbon nanotube light emitting device, comprising:

a plurality of electrodes; and

carbon nanotubes disposed between the plurality of electrodes, at least part of the carbon nanotubes including a metal carbon nanotube, wherein the metal carbon nanotube is held in vacuum and is configured to generates heat upon passing of current to plurality of the electrodes and is configured to emits light by blackbody radiation, so that the emitted light is configured to be modulated.

9. The carbon nanotube light emitting device according to claim 8, wherein the metal carbon nanotube and the plurality of electrodes are disposed on a substrate.

10. A photo coupler, comprising:

the carbon nanotube light emitting device according to claim 9; and

a light receiving device.

11. A photo coupler, comprising:

the carbon nanotube light emitting device according to claim 8; and

a light receiving device.

12. A light source, comprising the carbon nanotube light emitting device according to claim 8 wherein the metal carbon nanotube is disposed on a substrate so as to be orthogonal to an optical fiber.

13. A light source, comprising the carbon nanotube light emitting device according to claim 8, wherein the metal carbon nanotube and the plurality of electrodes are disposed on a substrate so that light is configured to be emitted in a direction parallel to a surface of the substrate.

14. A light source, comprising the carbon nanotube light emitting device according to claim 8, wherein the metal carbon nanotube and the plurality of electrodes are disposed on a substrate so that light is configured to be emitted in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the substrate.