| Full text | |
| Author(s): |
Rehder, G.
;
Alayo, M. I.
;
Medina, H. B.
;
Carreno, M. N. P.
;
DIckensheets, DL
;
Gogoi, BP
;
Schenk, H
Total Authors: 7
|
| Document type: | Journal article |
| Source: | MEDICAL IMAGING 2007: PACS AND IMAGING INFORMATICS; v. 6466, p. 9-pg., 2007-01-01. |
| Abstract | |
In this work we describe the fabrication and characterization of micro-opto-electro-mechanical AND, OR and XOR logic gates based in a combination of optical and micro-electro-mechanical devices. These structures consist of silicon oxynitride-based optical waveguides, through which a light beam of 633-nm can be conducted, and mobile thermoelectro actuated cantilevers, which form part of the waveguide and can work as ON-OFF switches for the laser. These switches are combined to form AND, OR and XOR gates, allowing the laser light to pass or blocking the laser light when activated electrically. The cantilevers are fabricated by freeing regions of the waveguide, which is done by front side micromachining the silicon wafer used as substrate. Also, they are actuated electrically through the heating of a metallic resistance positioned in the device, where the applied current heats the cantilevers and, due to the difference in thermal expansion coefficients of the constituent materials, it is possible to produce a controlled motion proportional to the heating cur-rent. Therefore, the switches can be electrically polarized in on/off cycles allowing or blocking the light through the waveguide, similar to logic "1's" and "0's". These switches are adequately arranged to produce an output that is similar to the conventional digital logic gates through electric control (input) of cantilever-based ON-OFF switches. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 00/10027-3 - Production, characterization and applications of semiconducting and insulating |
| Grantee: | Ines Pereyra |
| Support Opportunities: | Research Projects - Thematic Grants |