New diode features optically controlled capacitance

phys.org ^ | 06-06-2017 | Provided by: American Institute of Physics

[reg45]

Strontium fluoride - the primary tooth hardening ingredient in Crest toothpaste.

[Red Badger]

Seeing that it’s from Israel, you might only get Bob Dylan.................

[Red Badger]

So, this device is good for your teeth!...............

[Oatka]

Don’t hold you breath.

That's what the "(cough)" indicated. :-)

[factoryrat]

A new twist on the old varactor diode.

Optical tuning could definitely open up some new possibilities.

[Red Badger]

The varactor changed capacitance with changes in the bias voltage.

This one keeps the bias constant and the light varying causes change in capacitance. This could be used as a sensor for automatic gradual darkening of windows in homes, buildings and autos according to the brightness of the sun.

[dsrtsage]

Unless this was developed by a diverse group of scientists, it is by definition oppressive

[Steely Tom]

In a way I feel sorry for those people. There is a joy and awe that they are missing out on due to their unawareness. It’s similar to someone not being able to appreciate great works of art, literature, music.

Yes, I agree. I feel the same way.

There are many hidden back roads of modern technology, less stellar inventions than the transistor or the laser, but still important, vital enabling technologies that are buried deep in the chips and modems and materials that have transformed our world... less stellar perhaps, but still deserving of recognition because their invention and commercialization consumed the working lives of very intelligent, passionate, and determined individuals.

On the current subject, it occurs to me that this optical-capacitor nanoparticle invention could — I repeat could — make it possible to make optical elements having optically variable indices of refraction.

This could in turn lead to truly remarkable things, especially when combined with quantum entanglement effects.

[Garth Tater]

It doesn't make our lives better. It makes our technology smaller, faster and capable of doing previously impossible things.

Personally, I'm not of the mind that deficient technology is what is causing the problems in our lives or that better tech will improve them.

[Steely Tom]

The mere mention of the varactor diode makes me think of Yvonne Craig.

[Fiddlstix]

I was sure you meant that as "tongue in cheek humor". I was responding in kind. My post to you was to be taken as "tongue in cheek humor" also

[Oatka]

OK, I stand corrected.

[Nifster]

A stunning accomplishment

[higgmeister]

A team of researchers at the Israel Institute of Technology has developed . . .

I wonder when we will read "Arabic Institute of Technology has developed . . ." (cough)

It was just in the news I think, that the Arabic Institute of Technology had perfected a 5 joule candle developed from camel colostrum.

[Red Badger]

I was thinking about how this could apply to photography or video.......................

[Fiddlstix]

[salmon76]

Israelis are very intelligent and want to make the world a better place

[Nifster]

Not sure that it would

[factoryrat]

I wonder what kind of bandwith a “photo-varactor” diode would have as compared to a regular photo diode as a fiber optic receiver.

Or, thinking pushing LED’s, tunnel, or gunn diodes to work to transmit over coax in near the near terrahertz range, as a replacement for the microwave communication bands.