Component with Optically Active Materials

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The patent describes an electronic component (device) that uses optically active materials as storage media. These materials can have their optical properties—such as transmission or reflection—altered by external influences like light (photons), heat, electric, magnetic, or mechanical fields. The device includes a memory area with an optically active material, a controller to change the optical properties, and a mechanism to detect these changes. This enables the device to process or store data by encoding information in the optical states of the material, which can be read and manipulated optically or electrically. Multiple materials with different optical responses can be combined in layered structures for enhanced functionality.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Optical data storage devices (memory chips that use light instead of or in addition to electricity).
• Photonics-based computation or optical logic circuits.
• High-speed, low-energy optical switches in data centers or communication networks.
• Sensitive optical sensors that detect and record environmental or biological changes.
• Integration into optical neural networks or AI hardware accelerators.
• Advanced security systems (optical keys or write-once/read-many media).
• Flexible or transparent computing/storage elements for wearable electronics.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables faster and more energy-efficient data storage and processing compared to traditional electronic methods.
• Allows direct optical reading and writing of information, potentially removing the need for electrical-to-optical conversion.
• Can support reversible and irreversible storage, enabling both volatile and non-volatile memory types.
• May achieve higher integration density and multi-bit storage per cell using different optical states or materials.
• Reduces heat generation, minimizing thermal degradation and improving device longevity.
• Supports innovative device architectures (e.g., multi-layer, 3D arrays) for complex logic or memory operations.
• Facilitates the creation of all-optical circuits, paving the way for ultra-fast photonic computing.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a component, comprising at least one memory area containing optically active material, a control arrangement with at least one control signal for changing the optical properties of the optically active material, and means for detecting the change in the optical properties of the optically active material, and comprising an evaluation input region which has at least one evaluation input signal and an evaluation output region which has an evaluation output signal, wherein the memory area is arranged between the evaluation input region and evaluation output region and the control arrangement adjoins the memory region. The invention also relates to a method for processing and/or storing information, in which method the component according to the invention is used.