Plasmonic Modulator Insulating Nitride Layer Leakage Current
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical modulators have long operating response times and require large volumes of electrooptic media and high driving voltages, leading to leakage currents.
Innovation Solution
A plasmonic modulator is designed with a refractive index varying layer between two metal layers, accompanied by an insulating nitride layer to prevent leakage currents, allowing for fast operation with low power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If electrooptic modulators are used to achieve fast operating speed, then operating speed is improved, but large driving voltage is required causing leakage current
Solution Approach 1:
An insulating nitride layer is introduced as an intermediary between the metal electrode and the refractive index varying layer. This intermediate layer prevents direct contact and eliminates leakage current while still allowing the electric field to modulate the refractive index of the adjacent layer, thus maintaining fast operating speed without the harmful leakage current effect.
2Ease of operation
If mechanical movement or liquid crystal is used to control light flow, then light control is achieved, but operating response time becomes long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical movement-based light control with an electro-optic modulation mechanism. By applying voltage to change the refractive index of the varying layer, light flow is controlled without any mechanical movement, thereby achieving the same light control capability with dramatically reduced response time in the micrometer or nanometer scale.
3Speed
If electrooptic modulators use large driving voltage, then fast operating speed is achieved, but device reliability decreases due to leakage current
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating nitride layer serves as a protective intermediary that blocks leakage current while permitting electric field penetration. This allows the device to operate at high speeds using electro-optic modulation without the reliability-degrading leakage current, thus maintaining both fast operating speed and high device reliability.
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
The plasmonic modulator achieves high-speed operation with low power consumption and increased durability, enhancing the performance of optical apparatuses such as displays and cameras.
Implementation Method 1
a refractive index varying layer disposed between the first and second metal layers and including a varying refractive index
Implementation Method 2
an insulating nitride layer disposed between the refractive index varying layer and the first metal layer
Data Source
AI summary
A plasmonic modulator and an optical apparatus including the same are provided. The plasmonic modulator includes a first metal layer, and a second metal layer facing the first metal layer. The plasmonic modulator further includes a refractive index varying layer disposed between the first and second metal layers and including a varying refractive index, and an insulating nitride layer disposed between the refractive index varying layer and the first metal layer.