US4904882A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Superconducting optical switch
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
•
Filing: 1988-12-27
•
Granted: 1990-02-27
•
Expires: 2008-12-27
Abstract
Abstract A combination of optical interconnect technology with superconducting matal to form a superconducting neural network array. Superconducting material in a matrix has the superconducting current decreased in one filament of the matrix by interaction of the Cooper pairs with radiation controlled by a spatial light modulator. This decrease in current results in a switch of current, in a relative sense, to another filament in the matrix. This "switching" mechanism can be used in a digital or analog fashion in a superconducting computer application.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold H. Szu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 03:26
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06N; G06N3/00; G06N3/02; G06N3/06; G06N3/067; G06N3/0675; H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/51; H03K17/78; H03K17/92; H10; H10N; H10N60/00; H10N60/10; H10N60/12; H10N60/124; H10N60/80; H10N60/84; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S505/00; Y10S505/825; Y10S505/856; Y10S505/857; Y10S505/86; Y10S505/862
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A triode comprising: a first filament of opto-electric light sensitive material carrying a current flow; a second filament of opto-electric light sensitive material carrying a current flow wherein the second filament is perpendicular to and under the first filament, in physical but not electrical conductive contact with the first filament; and a light-supplying control means located such that the control means is nearer the first filament than the second filament so that a controlled amount of light is supplied perpendicularly only to the first filament at a location just beyond the point where the second filament crosses the first filament.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
A triode comprising: a first filament of opto-electric light sensitive material carrying a current flow; a second filament of opto-electric light sensitive material carrying a current flow wherein the second filament is perpendicular to and under the first filament, in physical but not electrical conductive contact with the first filament; and a light-supplying control means located such that the control means is nearer the first filament than the second filament so that a controlled amount of light is supplied perpendicularly only to the first filament at a location just beyond the point where the second filament crosses the first filament.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A triode as recited in claim 1 wherein the optoelectric light sensitive material is superconducting material in granular crystalline form of a mean lattice spacing of about a quarter wavelength.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for switching current, comprising: overlaying a first filament of superconductive material over a second filament of superconductive material which is perpendicular to and under the first filament, crossing and touching but not in electrical superconductive contact with the first filament supplying a light to the first filament at a point just beyond the point where the second filament crosses the first filament, whereby the first filament becomes less superconductive, causing the current flow in the first filament to at least partially sum into the current flow in the second filament.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for switching current, comprising: overlaying a first filament of superconductive material over a second filament of superconductive material which is perpendicular to and under the first filament, crossing and touching but not in electrical superconductive contact with the first filament supplying a light to the first filament at a point just beyond the point where the second filament crosses the first filament, whereby the first filament becomes less superconductive, causing the current flow in the first filament to at least partially sum into the current flow in the second filament.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method for switching current as recited in claim 3 wherein the light makes the first filament less superconductive by photon/Cooper-pair plasma interaction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method for switching current as recited in claim 3 wherein the light makes the first filament less superconductive by heating the filament.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method for switching current as recited in claim 3 whrein the switching is analog.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method for switching current as recited in claim 3 wherein the switching is digital.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-02-26 | 1993-08-28 | 1994-02-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-02-26 | 1997-08-28 | 1998-02-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-02-26 | 2001-08-28 | 2002-02-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |