Optically Controlled Active Inductor

An optically controlled MMIC compatible active inductor is demonstrated. The device is realized by a MESFET based circuit configuration which exhibits a shunt inductive characteristic which may be tuned by direct illumination of one of the circuit's MESFETs. The optically tuned active inductor may then be incorporated into a variety of microwave circuits whose performance may be controlled via direct optical illumination of the active inductor.