James Ren Ma

US Patent:

20130155484, Jun 20, 2013

Filed:

Dec 15, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/327298

Inventors:

LUKE SWEATLOCK - Hawthorne CA, US
Kenneth Diest - Burlington MA, US
James Ma - Redondo Beach CA, US
Vladan Jankovic - Los Angeles CA, US
Imogen Pryce - Santa Monica CA, US
Ryan Briggs - Pasadena CA, US
Harry Atwater - South Pasadena CA, US

International Classification:

G02F 1/09
C23F 1/00

US Classification:

359282, 216 24

Abstract:

Systems and methods are provided for modulating light of a wavelength of interest. The modulator assembly includes a plasmonic layer that supports surface plasmon polaritons at the wavelength of interest and a layer of solid-state phase change material having a first phase in which it is substantially transparent to light of the wavelength of interest and a second phase in which it is substantially opaque to light of the wavelength of interest. A control mechanism is configured to alter the phase of the solid-state phase change material between the first phase and the second phase. Each of the plasmonic layer and the layer of solid-state phase change material are configured as to provide a plasmonic mode of transmission for light of the wavelength of interest.