Capacitive modulators for high-efficiency electro-optical systems

Abstract

An electro-optical includes, in part, a multitude of phase modulators each of which includes, in part, a p-type semiconductor region, an n-type semiconductor region, and a χ (2) insulating dielectric material disposed between the p-type and n-type semiconductor regions. The electro-optical device may be a phased array in which each phase modulator is associated with a different one of the transmitting elements of the phased array. The χ (2) insulating dielectric material may be an organic polymer. The electro-optical device may further include, in part, a multitude of sensors each associated with a different one of the phase modulators. Each sensor is adapted to receive a phase modulated signal generated by the sensor’s associated phase modulator. The electro-optical device may further include, in part, a multitude of amplitude modulators each associated with a different one of the multitude of phase modulators.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electro-optical device comprising a plurality of phase modulators, each phase modulator comprising:
 a p-type semiconductor region;   an n-type semiconductor region; and   a χ (2)  insulating dielectric material disposed between the p-type and n-type semiconductor regions.   
     
     
         2 . The electro-optical device of  claim 1  wherein said electro-optical device is a phased array, and wherein each phase modulator is associated with a different one of a plurality of transmitting elements of the phased array. 
     
     
         3 . The electro-optical device of  claim 1  wherein the said χ (2)  insulating dielectric material is an organic polymer. 
     
     
         4 . The electro-optical device of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of sensors each associated with a different one of the plurality of phase modulators and adapted to receive a phase modulated signal generated by the associated phase modulator. 
     
     
         5 . The electro-optical device of  claim 4  further comprising a plurality of amplitude modulators each associated with a different one of the plurality of phase modulators. 
     
     
         6 . The electro-optical device of  claim 5  wherein said plurality of phase modulators form an array. 
     
     
         7 . The electro-optical device of  claim 6  wherein said array is one of one-dimensional or two dimensional arrays. 
     
     
         8 . An electro-optical device comprising a plurality of phase modulators, each phase modulator comprising:
 a p-type semiconductor region;   an n-type semiconductor region; and   a undoped semiconductor region disposed between the n-type and p-type semiconductor regions; and   a χ (2)  insulating dielectric material overlying the undoped semiconductor region and extending above the p-type and n-type semiconductor regions.   
     
     
         9 . The electro-optical device of  claim 8  wherein the said χ (2)  insulating dielectric material is an organic polymer. 
     
     
         10 . The electro-optical device of  claim 8  wherein said electro-optical device is a phased array, and wherein each phase modulator is associated with a different one of a plurality of transmitting elements of the phased array. 
     
     
         11 . The electro-optical device of  claim 8  further comprising a plurality of sensors each associated with a different one of the plurality of phase modulators and adapted to receive a phase modulated signal generated by the associated phase modulator. 
     
     
         12 . The electro-optical device of  claim 11  further comprising a plurality of amplitude modulators each associated with a different one of the plurality of phase modulators. 
     
     
         13 . The electro-optical device of  claim 12  wherein said plurality of phase modulators form an array. 
     
     
         14 . The electro-optical device of  claim 13  wherein said array is one of one-dimensional or two dimensional arrays.