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:
Sep. 01, 2009
Filed:
Jun. 07, 2004
Michele Portico Ambrosio, Poggiomarino, IT;
Maria Grazia Maglione, Torre del Greco, IT;
Maria Fortuna Bevilacqua, Gragnano, IT;
Luigi Occhipinti, Ragusa, IT;
Salvatore Coffa, Tremestieri Etneo, IT;
Salvatore Castorina, Geneva, CH;
Michele Portico Ambrosio, Poggiomarino, IT;
Maria Grazia Maglione, Torre del Greco, IT;
Maria Fortuna Bevilacqua, Gragnano, IT;
Luigi Occhipinti, Ragusa, IT;
Salvatore Coffa, Tremestieri Etneo, IT;
Salvatore Castorina, Geneva, CH;
STMicroelectronics S.R.L., Agrate Brianza (MI), IT;
Abstract
Described herein is an optically controlled electrical-switch device which includes a first current-conduction terminal and a second current-conduction terminal, and a carbon nanotube connected between the first and the second current-conduction terminals, the carbon nanotube being designed to be impinged upon by electromagnetic radiation and having an electrical conductivity that can be varied by varying the polarization of the electromagnetic radiation incident thereon. In particular, the carbon nanotube may for example, in given conditions of electrical biasing, present a high electrical conductivity when it is impinged upon by electromagnetic radiation having a given wavelength and a polarization substantially parallel to the axis of the carbon nanotube itself, and a reduced electrical conductivity when it is impinged upon by electromagnetic radiation having a given wavelength and a polarization substantially orthogonal to the axis of the carbon nanotube itself.