Doped Colloidal Nanostructures for Ultrafast All-Optical Switching

Solution Overview

Problem

Current optical switching technologies require frequent conversions between optical and electrical signals, leading to energy consumption, heat generation, and signal loss, limiting their speed and efficiency in all-optical computing and communications systems.

Innovation Solution

Doped colloidal nanostructures with a plasmonic response to specific wavelengths of light are used to create ultrafast all-optical switches that modulate light absorption and refraction, enabling rapid and high-fidelity switching without the need for electrical signal conversions, utilizing localized surface plasmon resonances and tunable by chemical methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If all-electrical switches are used for optical signal control, then switching functionality is achieved, but energy loss and heating increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy lossVSAvoidswitching functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces all-electrical switching mechanisms with an all-optical switching system using doped colloidal nanostructures. The nanostructures exhibit ultrafast optical switching behavior where a first wavelength of light (e.g., 800 nm) modulates the transmission of a second wavelength (e.g., 1550 nm) through carrier injection and plasma dispersion effects, eliminating the need for electrical signal conversions and reducing energy loss and heating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes changes in optical parameters (refractive index, absorption coefficient) of the doped colloidal nanostructures induced by light absorption. When the nanostructures absorb the first wavelength, they undergo plasma dispersion effects that rapidly change their optical properties, enabling modulation of the second wavelength without electrical conversion, thus reducing energy loss while maintaining switching functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If all-electrical switches are used for optical signal control, then switching functionality is achieved, but heating increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveheatingVSAvoidswitching functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces all-electrical switching mechanisms with an all-optical switching system using doped colloidal nanostructures. The nanostructures exhibit ultrafast optical switching behavior where a first wavelength of light (e.g., 800 nm) modulates the transmission of a second wavelength (e.g., 1550 nm) through carrier injection and plasma dispersion effects, eliminating the need for electrical signal conversions and reducing energy loss and heating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Speed

If conventional optical switching is used, then light modulation is achieved, but switching speed is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitching speedVSAvoidmodulation fidelity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes changes in optical parameters (refractive index, absorption coefficient) of the doped colloidal nanostructures induced by light absorption. When the nanostructures absorb the first wavelength, they undergo plasma dispersion effects that rapidly change their optical properties, enabling modulation of the second wavelength without electrical conversion, thus reducing energy loss while maintaining switching functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Loss of energy

If optical signal conversions are reduced, then energy loss decreases, but switching functionality may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy lossVSAvoidswitching functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces all-electrical switching mechanisms with an all-optical switching system using doped colloidal nanostructures. The nanostructures exhibit ultrafast optical switching behavior where a first wavelength of light (e.g., 800 nm) modulates the transmission of a second wavelength (e.g., 1550 nm) through carrier injection and plasma dispersion effects, eliminating the need for electrical signal conversions and reducing energy loss and heating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

These switches provide ultrafast switching capabilities (within 1 picosecond) with minimal heating, high spectral control, and low energy use, enabling efficient all-optical computing and communications with reduced size, higher density, and lower heating compared to traditional systems.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing their localized surface plasmon resonances to control light absorption and refraction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlasmonic response: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

utilizing their localized surface plasmon resonances to control light absorption and refraction with picosecond-scale switching speeds

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLocalized surface plasmon resonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS10944398B2Systems and methods for ultrafast plasmonic response in doped, colloidal nanostructures

Publication Date: 2021.03.09 UCHICAGO ARGONNE LLC

AI summary

An article of manufacture comprising doped, colloidal nanostructures that are configured to have a plasmonic response to light of a first resonance wavelength.