Patent ID: 6515788
Filing Date: 2003-02-04
Classification: G02F,H04B,Y10S

Abstract:
A light modulating system, comprising:(a) a light modulating device having an output and providing at its output a train of light pulses, each of which light pulses has a certain wavelength, said light modulating device including: (i) a layer of superconductive material, said superconductive material having an energy gap and further having a superconductive state, in which light cannot pass therethrough, and a non-superconductive state, in which said light can pass therethrough, (ii) a light source for emitting said light, said light being made up of photons having energy and said light further having said certain wavelength, which certain wavelength is long enough such that the energy of each of said photons is less than the energy gap of said superconductive material, said light source being positioned in such a way that said light must pass through said superconductive material before the light can reach the output of the light modulating device, and (iii) an arrangement for switching said superconductive material between said superconducting and non-superconducting states in a way which provides said light pulses at the output of the light modulating device; and (b) a wavelength changing device optically coupled to the output of said light modulating device for changing the wavelength of said light pulses, wherein said superconductive material includes first and second contact segments and a third light impinging segment.