US3572897A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical modulator having dissipative matching boundaries
Assignee: Ampex Corp
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Filing: 1968-03-06
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Granted: 1971-03-30
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Expires: 1988-03-06
Abstract
Abstract An improved optical modulator having means for dissipating the various, extraneous internal energies within the optical crystal, to thus improve the frequency response of the modulator, the means including impedance matching acoustic boundaries and refractive index matching optical boundaries disposed along selected sides and ends of the optical crystal, as well as acoustic and light dissipative or absorbing materials selectively disposed about the sides of the crystal. The acoustic matching on the surfaces of the crystal may be quarter-wave plates which provide an impedance match to the surrounding material to dissipate internal energy due to piezoelectric effects and the like. The refractive index matching on the surfaces of the crystal may also be quarter-wave transparent films of appropriate indices of refraction between the various mediums of the modulator through which the light beam passes. The dissipative materials absorb acoustic energies released to the surround, and extraneous light scattered or internally reflected within the crystal as the beam passes therethrough.
Inventors
- 👤 Samuel Bousky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:03
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
An improved optical modulator including an electro-optically responsive crystalline material disposed to receive and transmit a beam of light, including a pair of electrodes disposed against opposite sides of the crystalline material, and circuit means for energizing the electrodes to provide a selected voltage across the material, the improvement comprising; solid impedance matching layers disposed adjacent to the lateral surfaces of said crystalline material to prevent internal boundary reflections of acoustic energy from said surfaces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
An improved optical modulator including an electro-optically responsive crystalline material disposed to receive and transmit a beam of light, including a pair of electrodes disposed against opposite sides of the crystalline material, and circuit means for energizing the electrodes to provide a selected voltage across the material, the improvement comprising; solid impedance matching layers disposed adjacent to the lateral surfaces of said crystalline material to prevent internal boundary reflections of acoustic energy from said surfaces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
The optical modulator of claim 1 further including coatings of a light absorbing material applied to the surfaces of the crystalline material, wherein selected pairs of opposed coatings are formed of an electrically conductive light absorbing material and are disposed under said pair of electrodes, and alternate pairs of opposed coatings are formed of electrically nonconductive light absorbing material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The optical modulator of claim 2 further including an antireflection coating disposed between the crystalline material surfaces and the light absorbing material to provide optimum refractive index matching.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The optical modulator of claim 1 wherein the impedance matching layers are lateral acoustic plates which have a quarter-wave length thickness to match a piezoelectric resonance frequency of said crystalline material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
79 words
The optical modulator of claim 4 further including means abutting said lateral acoustic plates for applying an evenly distributed force thereagainst and thus against the crystalline material, said means for applying an evenly distributed force includes a pair of confronting clamping blocks, and resilient fastener means disposed thereabout to confine the crystalline material and the plate therebetween with the selected evenly distributed force, wherein said energies are coupled into the means for applying the force and are thus dissipated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
The optical modulator of claim 5 wherein a plurality of lateral plates are disposed along respective surfaces of the crystallIne material, wherein the clamping blocks include matching confronting V-channels and the crystalline material and confining plates are disposed within the V-channels with the sides thereof substantially at 45* with respect to the facing surfaces of the clamping blocks.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The optical modulator of claim 5 wherein the clamping blocks include matching confronting ''''square'''' channels, wherein a single pair of lateral plates are disposed between opposite sides of the crystalline material, and the blocks apply pressure thereto from said opposite sides.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
86 words
The optical modulator of claim 1 wherein the means for applying an evenly distributed force further includes support housing means of heat conducting material having a bore therein adapted to receive and retain therein the assembled clamping blocks, plates and crystalline material, said bore being filled with a fluid having selected properties of acoustic damping and thermal conductivity, and threaded fastener means disposed through the support housing means and adapted to bear against one of the blocks to secure same against the bore within the housing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-29 | 1974-09-28 | 1975-03-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-29 | 1978-09-28 | 1979-03-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-29 | 1982-09-28 | 1983-03-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |