Optical modulation device and method utilizing structures including metamaterials

摘要

An optical modulation system includes a metamaterial structure (30) configured to receive and process an input optical signal (22). An external stimulus source (36) is coupled with the metamaterial structure and is configured to change the metamaterial structure between its transmissive and non-transmissive states by applying selected stimulus pulses (37) to the metamaterial structure. The optical modulation system processes the input optical signal to output a modulated optical signal (66) that modulates in correspondence with the selected pulses applied to the metamaterial structure. Suitable metamaterials are phase-change materials, thermo-chronic materials or photochromic maerials that undergo reversible phase transitions upon being heated above a critical tenperature. The system may include a reflector (60) and further reflective surfaces (62,64) arranged as a retroreflector.