US4746183A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrically controlled integrated optical switch
Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
•
Filing: 1987-05-18
•
Granted: 1988-05-24
•
Expires: 2007-05-18
Abstract
Abstract An electrically controlled integrated optical switch having a body made up entirely of crystalline silicon. More specifically, the body has a pair of channel waveguides intersecting in an X-like configuration forming therein an intersection crossover region. A first electrode is positioned on the intersection crossover region and a second electrode is positioned on the bottom of the body opposite the intersection crossover region. A controllable current/voltage source is electrically connected to the electrodes in order to alter the index of refraction of the intersection crossover region by carrier injection in order to selectively switch optical signals between diverging waveguides.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard A. Soref
- 👤 Joseph P. Lorenzo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 00:46
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/015; G02F1/025; G02F1/29; G02F1/31; G02F1/313; G02F1/3137; G02F1/3138; G02F1/0151; G02F1/0152; G02F1/0153; G02F2202/00; G02F2202/10; G02F2202/105
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
An electrooptic switch comprising: (a) a silicon substrate; (b) a crystalline silicon layer deposited upon said silicon substrate, said crystalline silicon layer formed into two intersecting waveguides having a common area which comprises a p-n junction capable of forming a variable mirror for selectively diverting optical signals; (c) a passivating layer substantially covering said crystalline silicon layer; (d) a first contact electrically connected to said waveguide common area; and (e) a second contact electrically connected to said waveguide common area, said first and second electric contacts for providing an electric current through said switch in order to activate said p-n junction and selectively divert light travelling through said waveguide common area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
An electrooptic switch comprising: (a) a silicon substrate; (b) a crystalline silicon layer deposited upon said silicon substrate, said crystalline silicon layer formed into two intersecting waveguides having a common area which comprises a p-n junction capable of forming a variable mirror for selectively diverting optical signals; (c) a passivating layer substantially covering said crystalline silicon layer; (d) a first contact electrically connected to said waveguide common area; and (e) a second contact electrically connected to said waveguide common area, said first and second electric contacts for providing an electric current through said switch in order to activate said p-n junction and selectively divert light travelling through said waveguide common area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The electrooptic switch of claim 1 wherein said common area comprises a n-type region and a p-type region, said p-type region forming a variable mirror for selectively diverting optical signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The electrooptic switch of claim 2 wherein said first contact is electrically connected to said n-type region and said second contact is electrically connected to said p-type region.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electrooptic switch of claim 2 wherein said p-type region comprises p + doped material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electrooptic switch of claim 2 wherein said p-type region comprises a narrow strip having a width of about 10 percent of the common area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electrooptic switch of claim 1 wherein the two intersecting waveguides cross at an angle of at least 6°.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
100 words
An electrooptic switch comprising: (a) a silicon substrate; (b) a crystalline silicon layer deposited upon said silicon substrate, said crystalline silicon layer formed into two intersecting waveguides having a common area which comprises an n-type region and a p-type region, said p-type region forming a variable mirror for selectively diverting optical signals; (c) a first contact electrically connected to said waveguide common area; and (d) a second contact electrically connected to said p-type region, said first and second electric contacts for providing an electric current through said switch in order to selectively divert light travelling through said waveguide common area.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
100 words
An electrooptic switch comprising: (a) a silicon substrate; (b) a crystalline silicon layer deposited upon said silicon substrate, said crystalline silicon layer formed into two intersecting waveguides having a common area which comprises an n-type region and a p-type region, said p-type region forming a variable mirror for selectively diverting optical signals; (c) a first contact electrically connected to said waveguide common area; and (d) a second contact electrically connected to said p-type region, said first and second electric contacts for providing an electric current through said switch in order to selectively divert light travelling through said waveguide common area.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electrooptic switch of claim 7 wherein said p-type region comprises p + doped material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electrooptic switch of claim 7 wherein said p-type region comprises a narrow strip having a width less than 10 percent of the common area.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electrooptic switch of claim 7 wherein the two intersecting waveguides cross each other at an angle of at least 6°.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4420873A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-05-24 | 1991-11-23 | 1992-05-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-24 | 1995-11-23 | 1996-05-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-24 | 1999-11-23 | 2000-05-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |