A system (10) for optical processing based on light-controlled photon
tunneling
is provided. The system (10) includes a prism (12) having a metallic
film layer (14) formed on an upper surface thereof. The metallic film layer
(14) has a microscopic aperture (18) formed therethrough and the
microscopic aperture (18) is covered by a layer of non-linear optical film.
A first light beam (30) is projected towards aperture (18) and photons
from first light beam (30) tunnel through aperture (18). A second
light beam (32) is also projected towards microscopic aperture (18),
with the second light beam (32) having a different wavelength than that
of light beam (30). Selective actuation and modulation of light beam (32)
allows for selective control over the rate and intensity of the photons which tunnel
through microscopic aperture (18). The intensity of transmission of the
photons from light beam (30) are measured by optical fiber tip (22),
thus allowing for the creation of optical gates, switches, and other optical processing devices.
