US 7,582,892 B2
Optically controlled switching methods based upon the polarization of electromagnetic radiation incident upon carbon nanotubes and electrical-switch systems using such switch devices
Michele Portico Ambrosio, Poggiomarino (Italy); Maria Grazia Maglione, Torre del Greco (Italy); Maria Fortuna Bevilacqua, Gragnano (Italy); Luigi Occhipinti, Ragusa (Italy); Salvatore Coffa, Tremestieri Etneo (Italy); and Salvatore Castorina, Geneva (Switzerland)
Assigned to STMicroelectronics S.R.L., Agrate Brianza (MI) (Italy)
Filed on Jun. 07, 2004, as Appl. No. 10/863,635.
Claims priority of application No. TO2003A0425 (IT), filed on Jun. 06, 2003.
Prior Publication US 2006/0158760 A1, Jul. 20, 2006
Int. Cl. H01L 35/24 (2006.01); H01L 51/00 (2006.01); H01L 29/82 (2006.01); H01L 43/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 257—40  [257/421] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An optical-control method of an electrical-switch device comprising a first current-conduction terminal and a second current-conduction terminal, and a carbon nanotube connected between said first and second current-conduction terminals, said method comprising the steps of:
impinging upon said carbon nanotube with electromagnetic radiation; and
varying the polarization of the electromagnetic radiation incident upon said carbon nanotube in order to vary the electrical conductivity of the carbon nanotube itself.