Patent ID: 6756649
Filing Date: 2004-06-29
Classification: B82Y,H01L

Abstract:
A modulator for modulating an input electromagnetic radiation incident thereon and providing a modulated electromagnetic radiation at an output, said modulator comprising:a voltage source for providing a modulation voltage, which modulation voltage is switchable between first and second voltage values; a first arrangement including first and second non-insulating layers spaced apart from one another such that the modulation voltage can be applied across the first and second non-insulating layers; and a second arrangement disposed between the first and second non-insulating layers and configured to serve as a transport of electrons between and to said first and second non-insulating layers as a result of the modulation voltage, said arrangement including at least a first amorphous layer configured such that the transport of electrons includes, at least in part, transport by means of tunneling, with respect to the modulation voltage, wherein said first arrangement further includes an antenna structure configured for absorbing a given fraction of the input electromagnetic radiation with a given value of absorptivity, while a remainder of the input electromagnetic radiation is reflected by the antenna structure, said absorptivity being defined as a ratio of an intensity of the given fraction to a total intensity of the input electromagnetic radiation, and wherein said second arrangement is further configured to cooperate with the first arrangement such that the antenna structure exhibits a first value of absorptivity, when said first voltage value of modulation voltage is applied across the first and second non-insulating layers, and exhibits a distinct, second value of absorptivity, when said second voltage value of modulation voltage is applied across the first and second non-insulating layers, thereby causing the antenna structure to reflect a different amount of the input electromagnetic radiation to the output as modulated electromagnetic radiation having a given value of contrast ratio, with respect to the modulation voltage, said contrast ratio being defined as a ratio of said first value of absorptivity to said second value of absorptivity.