SURFACE PLASMON DEVICES

摘要

A device (10) including an input port (12) configured to receive an input signal (13) is described. The device (10) also includes an output port (22) and a structure (20), which structure (20) includes a tunneling junction connected with the input port (12) and the output port (22). The tunneling junction is configured in a way: (i) which provides electrons in a particular energy state within the structure (20); (ii) which produces surface plasmons in response to the input signal (13); (iii) which causes the structure (20) to act as a waveguide for directing at least a portion of the surface plasmons along a predetermined path toward the output port (22) such that the surface plasmons so directed interact with the electrons in a particular way; and (iv) which produces at the output port (22) an output signal resulting from the particular interaction between the electrons and the surface plasmons.