Optical Waveguide Floating Gate for Nonvolatile Photonic Memory
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional photonic circuits are incapable of functioning as nonvolatile memory, limiting their applications in low-power and high-performance computing.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an optical waveguide as a floating gate that is charged or discharged via quantum tunneling through an insulator layer, allowing it to retain a nonvolatile charge state, which modulates the refractive index and functions as a nonvolatile optical switch or memory cell.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional photonic circuits are used, then optical signal transmission is achieved, but nonvolatile memory functionality is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical waveguide structure with the floating gate memory structure by forming the floating gate from the waveguide core material. This integration allows the same physical structure to serve dual purposes: guiding optical signals and storing electrical charge nonvolatily, thereby combining photonic circuit functionality with memory capabilities in a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical waveguide is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both an optical signal transmission medium and a nonvolatile memory storage element. The floating gate portion of the waveguide can store charge states that modulate the refractive index, enabling the structure to function as both a photonic component and a memory cell.
2Reliability
If semiconductor circuits are used for memory, then nonvolatile storage is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional electrical readout mechanisms with optical detection. The charge state of the floating gate is read by measuring changes in optical transmission or phase through the waveguide, rather than requiring electrical sensing circuits. This substitution eliminates the need for continuous power supply to maintain memory states and enables optically-powered or ultra-low-power memory operation.
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 optical waveguide serves as a nonvolatile memory element, enabling low-power operation and stable state maintenance without electrical power consumption, suitable for various computing tasks including machine learning and data storage.
Implementation Method 1
The waveguide may be configured to confine an optical field utilizing total internal reflection
Implementation Method 2
The photonic circuit may include an optical waveguide and a photodetector
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A
AI summary
A semiconductor device includes a floating gate that can be charged in a nonvolatile manner. The floating gate is also structured as an optical waveguide, and maybe optically coupled to a photonic circuit, such as an interferometer.