Optical phase shifter

摘要

A reciprocal phase shifter for optically controlling the phase of microwave, millimeter, and submillimeter wavelength electromagnetic energy includes a source of light and a waveguide which comprises an interaction material for absorbing the light and forming a plasma of electron-hole pairs within the material. The plasma interacts with a traveling wave in the waveguide. The speed at which the wave propagates changes in the interaction region and thereby changes the phase of the wave.