US4565422A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surface plasmon coupler
Assignee: Verizon Laboratories Inc
•
Filing: 1983-11-30
•
Granted: 1986-01-21
•
Expires: 2003-11-30
Abstract
Abstract A device for efficiently coupling electromagnetic radiation in the far-infrared and submillimeter spectral regions to surface plasmon waves comprises a prism constructed of a dielectric material, a first layer integrally formed on one face of the prism having an index of refraction which is less than the index of refraction of the prism, and a second overcoat layer formed integrally on the first layer and having an index of refraction which is greater than the index of refraction of the first layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert J. Seymour
- 👤 George I. Stegeman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:37
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/04; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/34; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S359/00; Y10S359/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A device for the efficient coupling of electromagnetic radiation into surface plasmon waves, particularly in the far-infrared or submillimeter spectral regions, said device comprising; a prism having multiple faces and constructed of a dielectric material which is substantially transparent in the selected spectral region, a first layer integrally formed on one face of the prism also of a material substantially transparent in the selected spectral region and having an index of refraction which is less than the index of refraction of the prism, and a second overcoat layer integrally formed on said first layer also of a material substantially transparent in the selected spectral region and having an index of refraction which is greater than the index of refraction of the first layer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
123 words
A device for the efficient coupling of electromagnetic radiation into surface plasmon waves, particularly in the far-infrared or submillimeter spectral regions, said device comprising; a prism having multiple faces and constructed of a dielectric material which is substantially transparent in the selected spectral region, a first layer integrally formed on one face of the prism also of a material substantially transparent in the selected spectral region and having an index of refraction which is less than the index of refraction of the prism, and a second overcoat layer integrally formed on said first layer also of a material substantially transparent in the selected spectral region and having an index of refraction which is greater than the index of refraction of the first layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said prism comprises a material of a high dielectric constant..
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said prism material comprises germanium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said prism material comprises silicon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first layer comprises a plastic material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device in accordance with claim 5 wherein said plastic material comprises polyethylene.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second layer comprises a material having a high dielectric constant.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device in accordance with claim 7 wherein said second layer material comprises germanium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device in accordance with claim 7 wherein said second layer material comprises silicon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the thickness of said first layer is on the order of the penetration distance of an upper mode into the prism.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
A device in accordance with claim 10 wherein the thickness of the first layer is dependent on the frequency of said mode, and ranges, in wavelength, from approximately 0.010 to 1.0 centimeter from the far-infrared to the submillimeter regions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device in accordance with claim 11 wherein said second layer has a thickness on the order of 0.0001 to 0.01 centimeter as a function of the frequency over the said wavelength range.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of fabricating a surface plasmon coupler to provide for efficient coupling of electromagnetic radiation into surface plasmon waves, particularly in the far-infrared and submillimeter spectral regions, said method comprising the steps of: providing a prism having multiple faces and constructed of a dielectric material which is substantially transparent in the selected spectral region, integrally forming a first layer on one face of the prism also of a material substantially transparent in the selected spectral region and having an index of refraction which is less than the index of refraction of the prism, and integrally overcoating a second layer on the first layer also of a material substantially transparent in the selected spectral region and having an index of refraction which is greater than the index of refraction of the first layer.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of fabricating a surface plasmon coupler to provide for efficient coupling of electromagnetic radiation into surface plasmon waves, particularly in the far-infrared and submillimeter spectral regions, said method comprising the steps of: providing a prism having multiple faces and constructed of a dielectric material which is substantially transparent in the selected spectral region, integrally forming a first layer on one face of the prism also of a material substantially transparent in the selected spectral region and having an index of refraction which is less than the index of refraction of the prism, and integrally overcoating a second layer on the first layer also of a material substantially transparent in the selected spectral region and having an index of refraction which is greater than the index of refraction of the first layer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3610727A
Cited
DE2258215A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-01-20 | 1989-07-22 | 1990-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-01-20 | 1993-07-22 | 1994-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-01-20 | 1997-07-22 | 1998-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |