The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 16, 2001
Filed:
Jul. 24, 2000
Applicant:
Inventors:
Nikolay Ivanovich Zheludev, Southampton, GB;
David John Richardson, Southampton, GB;
Sukhminder Dhanjal, Reading, GB;
Assignee:
University of Southampton, Southampton, GB;
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G02F 1/03 ; G02F 1/07 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G02F 1/03 ; G02F 1/07 ;
Abstract
An optically responsive variable reflecting surface uses a body of gallium held at a temperature slightly below its bulk melting point. Irradiation of the surface with optical energy produces substantial changes in surface reflectance. Devices employing gallium may be used for switching optical waveguides and in control of lasers.