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US4382660A
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Optical transistors and logic circuits embodying the same
Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Filing: 1976-06-16
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Granted: 1983-05-10
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Expires: 1996-06-16
Abstract
Abstract An optical transistor wherein an optical medium receives a pump signal and produces therefrom an internal optical signal, an optical control signal being directed into the optical medium to perturb the optical properties of the medium and to thereby modify the amplitude of the internal optical signal. A plurality of optical transistors are shown in various logic configurations.
Inventors
- 👤 George W. Pratt, Jr.
- 👤 Kantilal Jain
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:49
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
An optical transistor comprising: (a) a non-linear optical medium having a variable refractive index; (b) means for introducing an optical pump signal along a defined axis into the medium; (c) an optical collector port connected to the medium to receive as an input the optical pump signal; (d) means for introducing at least one optical control signal into the medium; (e) an optical base port connected to the medium to receive as an input said optical control signal; and (f) an optical emitter port connected to the medium to emit from the medium an optical output signal of different frequency than the pump signal, the optical medium being characterized by its ability to generate a harmonic of the pump signal as an internal signal, the output signal being derived from the internal harmonic signal, and the control signal acting upon the medium to effect a change in the refractive index of at least a part of the medium and thereby modifying a phase relationship between the pump signal and the internal harmonic signal to vary the output signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
An optical transistor comprising: (a) a non-linear optical medium having a variable refractive index; (b) means for introducing an optical pump signal along a defined axis into the medium; (c) an optical collector port connected to the medium to receive as an input the optical pump signal; (d) means for introducing at least one optical control signal into the medium; (e) an optical base port connected to the medium to receive as an input said optical control signal; and (f) an optical emitter port connected to the medium to emit from the medium an optical output signal of different frequency than the pump signal, the optical medium being characterized by its ability to generate a harmonic of the pump signal as an internal signal, the output signal being derived from the internal harmonic signal, and the control signal acting upon the medium to effect a change in the refractive index of at least a part of the medium and thereby modifying a phase relationship between the pump signal and the internal harmonic signal to vary the output signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The transistor of claim 1 wherein the transistor further comprises an orientation means for adjusting the range of operations by changing the orientation, of the medium relative to the axis of the optical pump signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The transistor of claim 1 wherein the medium is responsive to a electric bias and the transistor further comprises an electric bias means for adjusting the range of operations by applying a variable voltage across the medium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The transistor of claim 1 wherein the medium is responsive to a magnetic bias and the transistor further comprises a magnetic field means for adjusting the range of operations by applying a magnetic field across the medium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
The transistor of claim 1 wherein the medium is tellurium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The transistor of claim 1 wherein the medium is lithium niobate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The transistor of claim 1 wherein the medium is gallium arsenide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The transistor of claim 1 where in the medium contains a heterostructure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The transistor of claim 1 wherein the medium contains a p-n junction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The transistor of claim 1 wherein the medium contains a p-i-n structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The transistor of claim 1 wherein the medium is a birefringent crystal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
57 words
An optical logic element performing the function of an inverter comprising the transistor of claim 1 and a means to adjust the range of operation so that conversion of the pump signal to the harmonic signal is substantially maximized in the absence of the control signal and conversion efficiency is reduced upon application of the control signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
An optical logic element performing the function of an "AND" gate comprising the transistor of claim 1 and a means to adjust the range of operation so that conversion of the pump signal to the harmonic signal is substantially maximized only upon the conincidence of two separate control signals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
65 words
An optical logic element performing the function of an "OR" gate comprising the transistor of claim 1 and a means to adjust the range of operation so that conversion of the pump signal to the harmonic signal is substantially maximized upon the incidence of either a first control signal or a second control signal but not upon coincidence of the first and second control signals.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
75 words
An optical logic element performing the function of a "NOR" gate comprising the transistor of claim 1 and a means to adjust the range of operation so that concersion of the pump signal to the harmonic signal is substantially maximized in the absence of any control signal and conversion efficiency is reduced upon the incidence of a first control signal or a second control signal or the coincidence of both the first and second signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
74 words
An optical logic element performing the function of a "NAND" gate comprising the transistor of claim 1 and a means to adjust the range of operation so that conversion of the pump signal to the harmonic signal is substantially maximized in the absence of a control signal and remains maximized upon the incidence of a first or second control signal, but is substantially reduced upon the coincidence of the first and second control signals.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-05-09 | 1986-11-08 | 1987-05-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-05-09 | 1990-11-08 | 1991-05-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-05-09 | 1994-11-08 | 1995-05-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |