Abstract: An apparatus (200) for detecting light, comprising a detector (100) and a readout circuit (150). The detector (100) comprises: a substrate (10), a phase change material layer (16) supported by the substrate (10), a first electrode (14) in electrical contact with the phase change material layer (16), and a second electrode (18) in electrical contact with the phase change material layer (16). The first and second electrode (14, 18) are operable to bias the phase change material (16) by passing a current through the phase change material as a result of a bias voltage between the first and second electrode (14, 18).

Abstract: The present invention is notably directed to display device (1, la d), comprising a set of pixels, each having a layer structure (2, 2c, 2d) that includes: a bi-stable, phase change material (10), or bi-stable PCM, having at least two reversibly switchable states, in which the PCM exhibits two different values of refractive index and/or optical absorption; and a heating element (17, 17c, 17d), electrically insulated from the PCM (10) and in thermal communication with the PCM (10) in the layer structure (2, 2c, 2d). The display device further comprises a set of nonlinear, monostable resistive switching elements (21), each in electrical communication with the heating element (17, 17c, 17d) of one of the pixels.

Abstract: The invention is notably directed to a transflective display device. The device comprises a set of pixels, wherein each of the pixels comprises a portion of bi-stable, phase change material, hereafter a PCM portion, having at least two reversibly switchable states, in which it has two different values of refractive index and/or optical absorption. The device further comprises one or more spacers, optically transmissive, and extending under PCM portions of the set of pixels. One or more reflectors extend under the one or more spacers. An energization structure is in thermal or electrical communication with the PCM portions, via the one or more spacers. Moreover, a display controller is configured to selectively energize, via the energization structure, PCM portions of the pixels, so as to reversibly switch a state of a PCM portion of any of the pixels from one of its reversibly switchable states to the other.

Abstract: A photonic device (100) comprising: an optical waveguide (101), and a modulating element (102) that is evanescently coupled to the waveguide (101); wherein the modulating element (102) modifies a transmission, reflection or absorption characteristic of the waveguide (101) dependant on its state, and the state of the modulating element (102) is switchable by an optical switching signal (125) carried by the waveguide (101), or by an electrical signal that heats the modulating element (102).

Abstract: A display apparatus includes an optically opaque layer and one or more stacks of additional layers provided on the optically opaque layer. Each stack has an optically switchable layer. A plurality of switching elements are located on a side of the optically opaque layer opposite to the one or more stacks. Each switching element is operable to apply a signal, for example an electrical signal or a thermal signal, through the optically opaque layer to a switchable portion of the optically switchable layer and thereby change an appearance of the switchable portion when viewed from a viewing side of the display apparatus. The surface area of the optically opaque layer on the viewing side is at least 10% larger than the total surface area of the switchable portions on the viewing side.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a reflective layer with reflective material. One or more stacks of additional layers are provided on the reflective layer. Each stack has an optically switchable layer. A plurality of switching elements are located on a side of the reflective layer opposite to the one or more stacks or form part of the reflective layer. Each switching element is operable to apply heating to a switchable portion of the optically switchable layer and thereby change an appearance of the switchable portion when viewed from a viewing side of the display apparatus. The apparatus applies the heating by driving an electrical current through the switching element to generate Joule heating in the switching element. The electrical current flows in an electrical circuit including a portion of the reflective layer.

Abstract: A transmissive optical device comprising: a layer (10) of light absorber material in the solid state, preferably made of a phase-change material with switchable refractive index such as GeSbTe; a partially-reflective layer (12), and a spacer layer (14) between the layer (10) of light absorber material and the partially-reflective layer (12). The spacer layer (14) and an optional coverlayer (16) may be transparent conductive ITO layers which may serve to electrically switch the phase of the phase-change material layer (10), thereby switching the transmission/reflection properties of the transmissive optical device.

Abstract: The present invention is notably directed to an optical device (1) comprising a layer structure (2) with: a thermally conducting, optical reflector (15); a thermally conducting spacer (14), which is transmissive to light and arranged above the reflector (15); and a phase change material (10), or PCM, arranged above the spacer (14) and having at least two reversibly switchable states, in which the PCM exhibits two different values of refractive index. The reflector (15), the spacer (14) and the PCM (10) are successively stacked along a stacking direction (z) of the layer structure.

Abstract: An optical device comprising a stack of the following layers: a capping layer (16) having a high refractive index for guiding incident light; a layer of light absorber material (10), preferably a phase-changing material; and a reflective layer (12), wherein the refractive index of the capping layer is at least 1.6.

Abstract: A photonic device (100) comprising: an optical waveguide (101), and a modulating element (102) that is evanescently coupled to the waveguide (101); wherein the modulating element (102) modifies a transmission, reflection or absorption characteristic of the waveguide (101) dependant on its state, and the state of the modulating element (102) is switchable by an optical switching signal (125) carried by the waveguide (101), or by an electrical signal that heats the modulating element (102).

Abstract: An optical device, such as an optical storage medium, comprises a layer of material in the solid state that has a refractive index that is switchable between at least two stable values by applied light. A reflector is spaced apart from the layer of material by a solid spacer layer transmissive to light.

Abstract: A transmissive optical device comprising: a layer (10) of light absorber material in the solid state, preferably made of a phase-change material with switchable refractive index such as GeSbTe; a partially-reflective layer (12), and a spacer layer (14) between the layer (10) of light absorber material and the partially-reflective layer (12). The spacer layer (14) and an optional cover layer (16) may be transparent conductive ITO layers which may serve to electrically switch the phase of the phase-change material layer (10), thereby switching the transmission/reflection properties of the transmissive optical device.

Abstract: A display device comprises a plurality of pixels, each pixel having a portion (10) of a solid-state, phase-change material such as germanium-antimonium-telluride (GST) or vanadium dioxide, wherein the phase-change material can be reversibly brought into an amorphous state or a crystaline state and has a refractive index that is reversibly, electrically controllable. A plurality of electrodes (14, 16) are provided, at least two of which contact said portion of material (10). A controller (19) is provided that is adapted to apply at least one voltage to said material (10), via said electrodes (14, 16), to change said refractive index. An array of such portions of material can be arranged to make a pixellated display, for example a stereoscopic display of the volumetric type.

Abstract: A display device comprises a plurality of pixels, each pixel having a portion (10) of a solid-state, phase-change material such as germanium-antimonium-telluride (GST) or vanadium dioxide, wherein the phase-change material can be reversibly brought into an amorphous state or a crystaline state and has a refractive index that is reversibly, electrically controllable. A plurality of electrodes (14, 16) are provided, at least two of which contact said portion of material (10). A controller (19) is provided that is adapted to apply at least one voltage to said material (10), via said electrodes (14, 16), to change said refractive index. An array of such portions of material can be arranged to make a pixellated display, for example a stereoscopic display of the volumetric type.

Abstract: An optical device, such as an optical storage medium, comprises a layer of material in the solid state that has a refractive index that is switchable between at least two stable values by applied light. A reflector is spaced apart from the layer of material by a solid spacer layer transmissive to light.

Abstract: A nanophotonic device includes at least two waveguides located on top of a transparent substrate, which form an intersection point at which a part of a first waveguide simultaneously constitutes a part of a second waveguide. A nanoscale element located on top of the intersection point so that it partially or completely covers the intersection point is switchable between two different states, which differ by a refractive index value. The nanophotonic device is operated by injecting at least two optical pulses into the waveguides. Intensity of the optical pulses is selected so that a superposition of the optical pulses switches the nanoscale element into a desired state. Also disclosed is a nanophotonic matrix array in which parallel waveguides form nanophotonic devices. The nanophotonic matrix array may be used as a spatial light modulator (SLM), as an optical mirror, as an optical absorber, or as a tunable optical grating array.

Abstract: A nanophotonic device includes at least two waveguides located on top of a transparent substrate, which form an intersection point at which a part of a first waveguide simultaneously constitutes a part of a second waveguide. A nanoscale element located on top of the intersection point so that it partially or completely covers the intersection point is switchable between two different states, which differ by a refractive index value. The nanophotonic device is operated by injecting at least two optical pulses into the waveguides. Intensity of the optical pulses is selected so that a superposition of the optical pulses switches the nanoscale element into a desired state. Also disclosed is a nanophotonic matrix array in which parallel waveguides form nanophotonic devices. The nanophotonic matrix array may be used as a spatial light modulator (SLM), as an optical mirror, as an optical absorber, or as a tunable optical grating array.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical device includes a substrate; a piezoelectric actuator disposed on the substrate; and an elastic member affixed to the substrate at a first end thereof, and mechanically coupled to the piezoelectric actuator; wherein the elastic member comprises at least one of: a notch, a groove, and a recess.

Abstract: Tips including a platinum silicide at an apex of a single crystal silicon tip are provided herein. Also, techniques for creating a tip are provided. The techniques include depositing an amount of platinum (Pt) on a single crystal silicon tip, annealing the platinum and single crystal silicon tip to form a platinum silicide, and selectively etching the platinum with respect to the formed platinum silicide.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a probe for scanning probe microscopy. The probe 20 comprises a tunnel-current conducting part 30 and a tunnel-current insulating part 40. The said parts are configured such that the insulating part determines a minimal distance between the conducting part 30 and the sample surface. The invention may further concern a scanning probe microscope having such a probe, and a corresponding scanning probe microscopy method. Since the distance to the sample surface 100 is actually determined by the insulating part 40, controlling the vertical position of the probe 20 relative to the sample surface is easily and rapidly achieved. The configuration of the parts allows for a fast scan of the sample surface, whereby high-speed imaging can be achieved. Further, embodiments allow for topographical variations to be accurately captured through tunneling effect.