Patents by Inventor John M. Lannon

John M. Lannon has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • HIGH SENSITIVITY POLARIZED-LIGHT DISCRIMINATOR DEVICE
    Publication number: 20030075767
    Abstract: The present invention provides for an improved polarized-light detector device. The device comprises a photodiode having a first contact disposed on the backside of a light-sensing medium and a second contact disposed on the frontside of the light-sensing medium. A spin filter medium is disposed between the backside of the light-sensing medium and the first contact. The application of a magnetic field aligns the magnetic moments in the spin-filter medium to cause the device to discriminate between different polarizations of an optical signal. The polarization discrimination is affected by introducing a net magnetization into the spin filter medium, thereby allowing selected spin-polarized electrons to either be transmitted through the spin filter medium to the point of detection or deflected from further transmission. Additionally, the invention is embodied in a polarization-selective-light detector array and methods for discriminating a polarized optical signal and selective optical wavelength detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Applicant: MCNC
    Inventors: John M. Lannon, David E. Dausch, Dorota Temple
  • High sensitivity polarized-light discriminator device
    Patent number: 6545329
    Abstract: The present invention provides for an improved polarized-light detector device. The device comprises a photodiode having a first contact disposed on the backside of a light-sensing medium and a second contact disposed on the frontside of the light-sensing medium. A spin filter medium is disposed between the backside of the light-sensing medium and the first contact. The application of a magnetic field aligns the magnetic moments in the spin-filter medium to cause the device to discriminate between different polarizations of an optical signal. The polarization discrimination is affected by introducing a net magnetization into the spin filter medium, thereby allowing selected spin-polarized electrons to either be transmitted through the spin filter medium to the point of detection or deflected from further transmission. Additionally, the invention is embodied in a polarization-selective-light detector array and methods for discriminating a polarized optical signal and selective optical wavelength detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: MCNC
    Inventors: John M. Lannon, Jr., David E. Dausch, Dorota Temple