US20260287969
2026-09-24
Physics
G02F1/3503
The patent application describes an innovative optoelectronic neuron array that integrates two-dimensional transparent phototransistors (TPTs) with liquid crystal (LC) modulators. This device enables self-amplitude modulation of spatially incoherent light, achieving significant nonlinear contrast over a wide spectrum at much lower intensities than typical optical nonlinear materials. The invention was demonstrated with a 10,000-pixel array, which effectively reduces glare in images captured by devices such as cellphone cameras, making it valuable for applications like autonomous driving and security cameras.
Current optical computing and imaging technologies face challenges due to the need for high-speed, low-intensity, and low-loss nonlinear optical layers. Existing materials require high-intensity light, resulting in significant energy loss, and are often limited by slow response times and narrow wavelength ranges. This invention addresses these limitations by providing a strong nonlinear response at low optical intensities, which is not feasible with conventional materials. The new approach leverages the unique properties of TPTs and LC modulators to achieve the desired performance.
The optoelectronic neuron array achieves nonlinear modulation of incoherent light by combining TPTs with LC cells. Each pixel in the array contains a TPT and an LC modulator, enabling the device to modulate light with minimal photon loss. A proof-of-concept array demonstrated effective nonlinear behavior under various light conditions, including laser and white light. The device is integrated into imaging systems for intelligent glare reduction, selectively blocking intense light while preserving weaker signals. It operates at low optical intensity thresholds and energy consumption, making it suitable for low-power applications.
Each pixel in the array comprises a TPT with a source, drain, and channel, coupled with an LC cell. The TPT serves as a photo-gate, while the LC modulator acts as a load resistor and optical modulator. The design ensures that the source electrode is connected to an intermediate transparent electrode, and the drain electrode is connected to a supply voltage. This configuration allows the device to modulate the transmittance of light based on its intensity, enabling efficient nonlinear processing of broadband, incoherent light.
The optoelectronic neuron array can be integrated with optical or diffractive neural networks to enhance image processing capabilities. These networks use transmissive or reflective substrates with varying properties to process and extract scene information. The array's ability to perform nonlinear modulation using ambient light opens new possibilities for computational imaging and sensing applications. Its integration with linear diffractive processors could lead to the development of advanced nonlinear optical networks, expanding the potential for innovative optical processor designs.