Abstract

One optical antenna coupler includes a base body having a first waveguide and a second waveguide and a plurality of antenna coupler elements positioned above an upper surface of the base body that are adapted to be irradiated by an incident light. The plurality of antenna coupler elements includes at least one variable optical characteristics (VOC) antenna coupler element that comprises a VOC material, wherein the at least one VOC antenna coupler element is operatively coupled to a first energy source. The VOC antenna coupler element is adapted to be transitioned from a metallic state to an insulator state and vice versa. In the metallic state, substantially all of the incident light is directed out of the optical antenna coupler via the first waveguide and, in the insulator state, substantially all of the incident light is directed out of the optical antenna coupler via the second waveguide.

Date

2021

Authors

Y Bian, AP Jacob

Inventors

Yusheng Bian, Ajey Poovannummoottil Jacob

Patent_office

US

Patent_number

11126019

Application_number

16718561