Optoelectronic devices in which a resonance between optical fields and tunneling electrons is used to modulate the flow of said electrons

摘要

An apparatus for high speed gating of electric current based on the resonant interaction of tunneling electrons with optical fields is disclosed. The present invention biases an electron-emitting tip with a DC voltage source and focuses an output from a laser on the electron-emitting tip to stimulate electron emission from the tip. The electron emission creates an electrical signal that is coupled to circuitry for further processing. In accordance with the present invention, various methods of coupling the electrical signal from the electron-emitting tip are disclosed, as are various methods of reducing the magnitude of the laser output needed to stimulate electron emission, and methods of enhancing the static current density.