State-Changeable Device Using SPP Coupling for Sub-Wavelength Logic

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current semiconductor and photonic-based circuits face limitations in miniaturization due to energy requirements and bandwidth reduction, necessitating a solution for sub-wavelength light manipulation and logic operations without the need for solid-state lasers and photodetectors.

Innovation Solution

A state-changeable device utilizing nanoparticles with a coupling material that switches between conductive and insulating states in response to a trigger signal, enabling surface plasmon polaritons (SPP) for non-destructive information storage and switching, allowing for sub-wavelength light manipulation and logic operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If semiconductor CMOS-based electronics are used for miniaturization, then device size is reduced, but energy consumption increases and processing speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional semiconductor electronic circuits with a photonic-based system using surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) and optical switching. This substitution eliminates the need for solid-state lasers and photodetectors in traditional configurations, using instead all-optical switching mechanisms that operate directly with light fields to achieve logic operations and information processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes changes in the optical properties (refractive index, conductivity) of the coupling material in response to trigger signals to dynamically control the SPP coupling strength between particles. This parameter modulation enables switching between different operational states (on/off, logic 0/1) without physical movement or conversion to electronic signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Volume of moving object

If photonic components are miniaturized below the diffraction limit, then device dimensions are reduced, but bandwidth is reduced due to frustrated modes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice dimensionsVSAvoidbandwidth

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from conventional three-dimensional photonic waveguides to a two-dimensional surface plasmon polariton mode confined to the interface between the coupling material and surrounding medium. This dimensional transition enables sub-wavelength confinement while maintaining high bandwidth through the evanescent field nature of SPPs, which can propagate along the interface with minimal loss even at dimensions below the diffraction limit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If photons are converted into electric signals for processing, then signal manipulation is enabled, but energy consumption increases and processing speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal manipulation capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional optical-to-electronic-to-optical conversion chain with a direct all-optical processing system. Surface plasmon polaritons serve as the information carriers that can be directly manipulated through optical means (intensity, phase, polarization modulation) without requiring photodetector conversion to electronic signals, thereby eliminating the energy-intensive conversion steps while maintaining full signal manipulation capability.

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

Enables efficient sub-wavelength light manipulation and logic operations, reducing energy requirements and increasing bandwidth by using SPPs for information storage and switching, potentially eliminating the need for solid-state lasers and photodetectors.

Implementation Method 1

the first and the second particle are adapted to provide a charge carrier distribution such that surface plasma polaritons (SPP) occur

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface plasma polaritons (SPP): Surface Acoustic Wave

Implementation Method 2

the coupling material is adapted to exhibit a variable conductivity in response to a trigger signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVariable conductivity: Photoconductivity

Data Source

PatentUS10692577B2State-changeable device

Publication Date: 2020.06.23 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A state-changeable device includes a first and a second particle arranged in proximity to each other; and a coupling material between the first and the second particle; wherein the first and the second particle are adapted to provide a charge carrier distribution such that surface plasmon polaritons (SPP) occur; and the coupling material is adapted to exhibit a variable conductivity in response to a trigger signal thereby changing an electro-optical coupling between the first and the second particle.