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Title: System and method of modulating electrical signals using photoconductive wide bandgap semiconductors as variable resistors

Abstract

A system and method for producing modulated electrical signals. The system uses a variable resistor having a photoconductive wide bandgap semiconductor material construction whose conduction response to changes in amplitude of incident radiation is substantially linear throughout a non-saturation region to enable operation in non-avalanche mode. The system also includes a modulated radiation source, such as a modulated laser, for producing amplitude-modulated radiation with which to direct upon the variable resistor and modulate its conduction response. A voltage source and an output port, are both operably connected to the variable resistor so that an electrical signal may be produced at the output port by way of the variable resistor, either generated by activation of the variable resistor or propagating through the variable resistor. In this manner, the electrical signal is modulated by the variable resistor so as to have a waveform substantially similar to the amplitude-modulated radiation.

Inventors:
; ;
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1107603
Patent Number(s):
8563930
Application Number:
12/426,143
Assignee:
Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (Livermore, CA)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
H - ELECTRICITY H03 - BASIC ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY H03C - MODULATION
DOE Contract Number:  
AC52-07NA27344
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE

Citation Formats

Harris, John Richardson, Caporaso, George J, and Sampayan, Stephen E. System and method of modulating electrical signals using photoconductive wide bandgap semiconductors as variable resistors. United States: N. p., 2013. Web.
Harris, John Richardson, Caporaso, George J, & Sampayan, Stephen E. System and method of modulating electrical signals using photoconductive wide bandgap semiconductors as variable resistors. United States.
Harris, John Richardson, Caporaso, George J, and Sampayan, Stephen E. Tue . "System and method of modulating electrical signals using photoconductive wide bandgap semiconductors as variable resistors". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1107603.
@article{osti_1107603,
title = {System and method of modulating electrical signals using photoconductive wide bandgap semiconductors as variable resistors},
author = {Harris, John Richardson and Caporaso, George J and Sampayan, Stephen E},
abstractNote = {A system and method for producing modulated electrical signals. The system uses a variable resistor having a photoconductive wide bandgap semiconductor material construction whose conduction response to changes in amplitude of incident radiation is substantially linear throughout a non-saturation region to enable operation in non-avalanche mode. The system also includes a modulated radiation source, such as a modulated laser, for producing amplitude-modulated radiation with which to direct upon the variable resistor and modulate its conduction response. A voltage source and an output port, are both operably connected to the variable resistor so that an electrical signal may be produced at the output port by way of the variable resistor, either generated by activation of the variable resistor or propagating through the variable resistor. In this manner, the electrical signal is modulated by the variable resistor so as to have a waveform substantially similar to the amplitude-modulated radiation.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {2013},
month = {10}
}

Patent:

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