Smart mesoscopic photomechanical positioner/actuator, sensor, and all-optical logic unit

David J. Welker; Mark G. Kuzyk

doi:10.1117/12.240453

20 May 1996 Smart mesoscopic photomechanical positioner/actuator, sensor, and all-optical logic unit

David J. Welker, Mark G. Kuzyk

Proceedings Volume 2722, Smart Structures and Materials 1996: Smart Electronics and MEMS; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.240453
Event: 1996 Symposium on Smart Structures and Materials, 1996, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

Light can interact with a material and change the physical dimensions of the material through several mechanisms: photothermal, electrostriction, molecular reorientation, electronic cloud deformation and Cis-Trans isomerization. In the photothermal mechanism light, upon entering a material, is partially absorbed causing a temperature increase and through thermal expansion an increase in size. Electrostriction causes a net force in the material toward regions of higher light intensity which in a pliable material can result in a dimensional change. Molecular reorientation causes anisotropic molecules in a material to experience an alignment force which can lead to a dimensional change. Electronic cloud deformation can result in a dimensional change due to change in nucleon positions due to changes in the materials electronic structure that results from the light's electric field in the material. Molecules that can undergo a Cis-Trans isomerization in the presence of light have the potential to change the shape of any object because of the forces applied to the material. In this paper we will discuss one method by which the photothermal photomechanical effect can be utilized for device fabrication. The basic device, which we call a Mesoscopic Photomechanical Unit (MPU), can be utilized as a positioner/actuator, sensor, and all-optical logic unit.

Citation Download Citation

David J. Welker and Mark G. Kuzyk "Smart mesoscopic photomechanical positioner/actuator, sensor, and all-optical logic unit", Proc. SPIE 2722, Smart Structures and Materials 1996: Smart Electronics and MEMS, (20 May 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.240453

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
8 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Refractive index

Reflectors

Sensors

Laser beam diagnostics

Logic

Molecules

Clouds

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years