Nano-Slot Optical Device for Light Direction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a limit to reducing the size of optical devices due to the diffraction limit characteristic of light, making it difficult to create integrated optical circuits of nano-size.
Innovation Solution
A nano-size optical device with a substrate, metal layer, and a hexahedron-shaped slot that adjusts the resonance wavelength and light emission direction by varying its thickness, length, and width, allowing for control of light direction and enabling the implementation of integrated optical circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the size of optical devices is reduced to overcome diffraction limits, then device miniaturization is achieved, but light direction control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension by creating slots that extend through the metal layer thickness, allowing light to be directed upward or downward. This dimensional approach enables compact integration while maintaining directional control capability through the top/bottom emission paths of the slots.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls light direction and resonance by adjusting slot parameters including length, width, and thickness. By varying these dimensional parameters, the device achieves both miniaturization and precise light direction control without sacrificing either objective.
2Reliability
If slot dimensions are increased to improve light resonance, then resonance quality improves, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes slot dimensions (length: 100-500 nm, width: 10-80 nm, thickness: 100-500 nm) to achieve effective light resonance at nanoscale. By precisely controlling these parameters, the device maintains high resonance quality while keeping the overall device size minimal for integration purposes.
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
Enables the manufacturing of nano-size optical devices that can control light direction, facilitating the creation of integrated optical circuits by adjusting the slot dimensions to resonate and emit light effectively.
Implementation Method 1
Surface plasmons may be generated on the metal layer
Implementation Method 2
by changing at least one of the thickness, length and width, the resonance wavelength of light from the at least one light sources may be adjusted
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an optical device and a method of controlling the direction of light from an optical device. The optical device includes: a substrate; a metal layer on the substrate; a first slot which is provided in the metal layer; and at least one light source provided in the first slot, wherein light is emitted from the at least one light source in the direction of the top part of the first slot or the bottom part of the first slot.