EM Wave Slow Down Device (Technology #: 072808-01)

Lehigh University Office of Technology Transfer
posted on 09/16/2009

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Description:

Lehigh University has developed and prototyped a device for slowing down and stopping electromagnetic (EM) waves and then, in a controlled manner, accelerating or restarting them again.  It allows controlling the speed of light individually for various frequencies, effectively creating a "rainbow trapping device."  The approach uses standard manufacturing methods in the electronics industry and is made from low cost readily available materials.

Lehigh's "rainbow trapper" provides the basis for optical memory, spectrometer on a chip, and other applications.

A patent application was filed on this technology on October 30, 2009.

This technology involves the slowing of light through the use of plasmonic grated structures, known as Surface Plasmon Polaritons (SPP), for applications such as on-chip integrated optical circuits, surface or interface technology, data storage, and biosensing . The structure is able to trap light over a large spectral band and at various temperatures. Due to the metallic nature of the material, light signals will be able to be released by changing the temperature of the device.

The Lab-on-a-Chip industry is growing and there is increasing demand for innovative signal processing and spectroscopy tools.   The global lab on a chip market was estimated to be $817 million in 2009 by BCC Research Group. The annual growth of this market is expected to be over 20% through 2014.   Optical computing is also expanding, creating new real-world applications as large corporations and government agencies, such as U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) are investing in development efforts. 

The Opportunity:

Lehigh University is interested in licensing this technology. Additionally, Lehigh has developed an interferometer technology, for which a provisional patent has been filed, that can be licensed as a package with this technology or a stand alone technology. Please ask for additional marketing sheet if interested.   

For More Information on this Technology Contact:

Yatin S. Karpe, Ph.D.
Associate Director

Office of Technology Transfer
Lehigh University
354 Whitaker Laboratory
5 East Packer Ave.
Bethlehem, PA 18015

Phone:  (610) 758-5841
Fax:    (610) 758-5888 fax
Email:  yatin.karpe@lehigh.edu
Web:    http://www.lehigh.edu/ott

Claire Casola

Licensing Coordinator

Foresight Science & Technology

Phone & Email: 401-273-4844 ext. 17; claire.casola@foresightst.com

http://www.foresightst.com/index.html